Page 71 of Hunter's Revenge

My mouth drops open. I know he’s serious. He would do exactly that.

“I hate you, Malik Volkova.” My voice is filled with so much venom, I don’t recognize it. I’ve never told a person I’ve hated them before. I certainly wouldn’t have thought to do so while feeling like my body is going to explode from a pleasure overload.

To intimidate me further, Malik gives me that mocking smirk, leans close, and plants a kiss on my forehead. “Gwen St. James, this would be so much easier if you actually hated me. But we both know you don’t, and that’s okay because I don’t hate you either. It’s just one more problem we have to figure out, my little wife-to-be.”

Those words sting, cutting me deeply, letting me know I’m helpless.

He moves away once more, then without another glance, he walks through the door, leaving me naked and chained to his bed.

ChapterSixteen

Malik

I’m in my boat garage. It’s not that much different to Batman’s cave.

After my encounter with Gwen, this place was the only solace that could distract the beast inside me who wanted to fuck whatever I feel for her out of my system.

I keep the three sailing yachts I’ve used for races in here. One of which is the boat Leif and I built from scratch when I was sixteen. I came down here to work on it once I’d finished up what I had to do for the day.

I’ve been here for several hours, but the taste of Gwen and her sweet nectar is still driving me wild, as is the knowledge that Gwen St. James is naked and chained to my bed.

So far, she’s done everything I thought she would do.

She ran again, and I caught her.

She went snooping around my secret room, and I caught her.

She tempted the fuck out of me, and I caught her.

I trapped her in the bed chains I normally bring out when my darker desires take control. But the joke’s on me because I still want her, and I’m cursing myself for depriving my dick of being inside her.

I came down here to take back control but it’s only marginally working.

I’m allowing myself another hour, then I’ll go check on my little captive and see if she’s ready to play nice.

I smooth over the wood of the boat’s hull with sandpaper.

I’ve done several repairs on this boat over the years. It’s one of those things that has reached the end of its life many times over, but I do what I have to do to keep it going because of its sentiment.

It was made in the spirit of adventure between a boy and his uncle who wanted to do something amazing.

Making boats was what the Volkovas did right from the Viking age. That’s why they got into the shipping business. But to Leif the sea kept us in touch with who we were.

Brian and I had just signed up for a race, so Leif thought it would be cool to actually make a boat.

He was right. Now this old boat tethers me to all the good memories I’ve had of the people who created my adventures.

I’m hoping to take it out sailing in a few weeks with Desmier, who is also a sailor with nearly the same skills of working on ships as me.

If I didn’t have other important things to do I’d lock myself down here and get the boat finished sooner.

“I’m surprised you’re down here.” Zakh’s voice cuts through the still silence I’ve gotten used to.

I look up at the door at the top of the stairs and see him standing there staring down at me.

I didn’t expect to see him again today, but it’s good. It means he has something for me that will advance my plans.

“Where else would I be?” I chuckle.

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