Page 52 of Shattered Altar (Makarova Bratva Duet)

This son of a bitch threatened my family and injured my brother. He’s probably monitoring their movements as we speak, waiting for a chance to slaughter them all if Rob doesn’t bend to his will.

That’s not something I can just ignore. I’m brave enough to know that.

I take a step towards him, ignoring the way he drenches me in his shadow, his scent.

“As long as my family is in danger, I can’t and won’t keep my mouth shut. I will do whatever it takes to make sure they’re safe.”

“And would your brother do the same for you?” he asks coldly. “Or does he care more for the woman he lost than the women he has?”

“Let me talk to him,” I say, trying a different method. “Maybe I can convince him to drop the investigation.”

He gives me an amused smile. “It takes a devious mind to manipulate, Olivia. It also takes skill. You have neither.”

“Don’t try to bullshit a bullshitter, eh?” I bite back.

“Something like that.”

“A call won’t cost you a thing.”

“Not the point.”

“Then what is the point?”

“I want your brother to sweat,” he says viciously. “I want him to lose sleep wondering what I’m doing with you. I want him to be so plagued by guilt and worry that he simply does what I ask him to do. Whatever I ask him to do.”

I shake my head in dismay. “You’ve got the wrong man for that then,” I say. “Rob has principles. You might be able to get him to back off, but if you expect anything more than that, you’ll be disappointed.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure if I were you.” He looks at me confidently. “I have a way of getting exactly what I want.”

The predatory glint snakes back into his eyes. I feel my skin flush with heat. I drop my gaze just as Aleks takes another step toward me.

Our bodies are maybe half a foot apart. His presence is as claustrophobic as it is titillating.

I hate myself for still feeling this way, knowing everything I know now. It makes no sense. But the animal part of my brain has been awakened by the beast in him.

That’s all this is, I tell myself. Carnal attraction. It’ll fade.

God, please let it fade.

“What’s wrong, Olivia?” Aleks murmurs. “Can’t look me in the eye?”

He takes another little step towards me.

“No,” I say, wishing my voice was stronger, wishing my tone was more commanding, more assertive. “Stay back…”

“What are you so afraid of?”

I shake my head while still managing to avoid his eyes. It’s like he’s getting bigger, his smell getting stronger. He dwarfs me in every possible way. “Just… don’t. Stop.”

“Is that guilt I’m seeing on your face?” Aleks muses. “Or shame?”

I gasp as my back hits the wall. I hadn’t even realized I was moving.

The door is just a few feet away, but even if I tried to make a run for it, I know my legs would never carry me that far.

“Please leave me alone,” I whisper, still trying and failing to muster up some authority in my tone.

“A little too late for that now, darling.”

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