Page 14 of The Savage

I gasp and he laughs bitterly. “It could also be yours. I’m still figuring that one out, though.”

“Mine.” Picturing my father being responsible for doing anything remotely like this seems preposterous and I say angrily, “My father may be an adulterer and easily led, but he’s not a killer and why would he want to kill me? It doesn’t make sense.”

“I’m not talking about the man you call daddy, princess.”

Like a knockout punch, his words hit home and wound me so deeply I’m winded for a second.

He must instantly regret his words because he reaches out and grasps my hand, which shocks me more than anything he just said.

“I’m sorry, Charlotte.”

I blink in surprise because hearing my name on his lips is strange and before I can respond to that, he swerves down a track and says urgently, “This is the end of the road. We make the rest of the journey on foot. Can you walk?”

“I think so, but…”

“Then move.”

He exits the car and curses as his feet hit the ground and once again, I wonder if he’s ok himself. I haven’t missed the angry cut on his head where he fell, and his ashen color tells me he’s struggling as much as I am and as my own feet hit the ground, I know why because my legs are so weak, they almost buckle under me.

However, before I can fall, a strong hand grips mine and he says in a slightly warmer voice, “Come. We’ll be safe soon enough, and then we can rest.”

“But how will we be safe? Somebody is out to, well, get us.”

Once again, he shakes his head and, sounding almost amused, whispers, “Like I said, trust me. I’ll get you to safety even if the last thing I ever do.”

He moves off as fast as his battered body will let him, and I swear I feel every stone under my shoe as my body struggles with unwanted activity. I notice we are hugging the perimeter of the airfield that we arrived at, and I see various planes waiting on the tarmac and wonder if, somehow, he intends to hot-wire one of those. I wouldn’t put it past him and part of me is impressed by the warrior holding my hand so tenderly.

Ever since I met him, I’ve been fantasizing about him in a very inappropriate way. All it takes is one look at his strong jaw dusted with dark stubble and my legs go weak. The icy blue eyes that could cut glass and the close-cropped hair that is more practical than stylish tell me this man has more testosterone running through his veins than blood.

I like it–a lot and he intrigues me. Our conversations have been brief and I long to tear away a little more of the packaging because I have a feeling that what’s inside is a rare find for a woman like me.

CHAPTER10

IVAN

Idon’t understand how she is still walking because I’m on my last breath and my muscles deserted me somewhere between the apartment and arriving here. I am desperate to survive just to keep her safe. The thought of this being the end for both of us in this god forbidden hell hole, spurs me on even further.

I will make my mission count and I won’t let Club Mafia down, but for every minute I spend in Charlotte Richmond’s company, a little piece of my spirit dies inside. I can’t shake the image of her future. The man she is heading to and will soon call daddy. The fact I will be instrumental in sending her to hell is not sitting well with me and yet she is the key to the lock of Winter’s prison. Without her, we won’t get our sister back but something is making me hold back a little. I’m not sure I can see this through because the last thing this woman deserves is what fate has in store for her.

“Ivan.” Her soft voice disturbs my dark thoughts and I stop, turning to face the object of them.

“What?” Her white pinched face causes me concern as the dark shadows underneath her eyes tell me she needs sleep as much as I do.

“I’m worried about you.”

Her words cause more damage than the poison currently searing through my veins, and I hitch my breath at this unexpected situation.

She peers at me with concern and just the fatigue in her eyes and the slight tremble to her lip causes something to shift inside me. Since when did emotion play a place in my life?

Never, for a very good reason.

I don’t form attachments and if I do, the only ones I have are with men like me. Not women. Winter is different, she’s family. I’m not thinking of Charlotte in that way for sure and yet I only enjoy a woman’s company for one night only. That’s the rule I live by and can be the only rational explanation why I’m struggling now. She’s becoming too familiar, and I need to cut off the snake’s head before it bites, so I say sharply, “You have no business being concerned about me. Now shut the fuck up and keep quiet before I gag you.”

I turn away feeling like a shitty bastard, but I am doing this for both our sakes. Despite the situation we’re in we need to maintain distance and I am drawing the line and erecting the wall because I will not let any feelings for this woman take root.

* * *

We reachthe edge of the airfield and I pull her behind a tree that shields us but gives us the perfect view of any approaching aircraft.

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