Page 36 of Wicked Knight 2

“Earlier today, I only wanted to talk,” I confessed while I swayed to the beat of the music. When she glanced up at me with so much pain in her eyes, I pulled her closer to me. “I would like for us to start over. Do you think that’s possible?”

“I don’t know.” Her eyes watered. “Would you ever set me free?”

“No. Never.” I led her into a turn, then brought her back to me. “I would kidnap you a thousand times if it meant I got to keep you.”

“Let me go. Only then can we start over.”

“I can’t.”

What would that even look like for us? I couldn’t send her home and expect a first date the following week. At this point, the only thing for sure in our future was carnage. I wasn’t an idiot. As blinded as I was before when Papa spoke of avenging Mom, I knew our actions would carry heavy consequences. If the Italians ever found out we had Donata, they’d unleash hell on Brighton Beach.

“Then starting over would be impossible.” She slid her hand up my shoulder. “I can’t stay here forever. You have to know that.”

“No one has forever, Donata.” I cocked my head to look her in the eyes. “We only have now.”

A click of metal against glass cut through the music. In the next beat, the entire room was filled with the noise. Donata stared at me with shock in her eyes.

“It’s tradition for the bride and groom to kiss when the guests demand it.” I gestured to the room at large.

“I know what that means.” She shot a glance toward Papa.

“We better oblige. Or they won’t stop.” I cupped her cheek and bent down to press my mouth to hers.

I meant for it to be an innocent kiss, but she gripped the lapel of my suit jacket with so much desire in her eyes. I couldn’t stop myself from thrusting my tongue past the seam of her lips. And then, I was on the same high as before. I wanted all of her.

“I want to be inside you so badly,” I whispered in her ear, so only she could hear me. “Let’s go back upstairs.”

“Now?” She sighed.

“If now is all we have. I don’t want to waste it.”

“Okay.” Her brows shot up in surprise as if she wasn’t expecting to say that aloud.

When I lifted my gaze, I spotted Irina on the other side of the room with Alexei standing beside her. She’d found him. Fuck. Why now? I glanced down at Donata’s pink cheeks. As much as I wanted her, this thing with Boris couldn’t wait. By the look on Alexei’s face, I was sure there was something he wanted to tell me.

“You have no idea how much it hurts to have to say this. But there’s a matter that needs my attention. And it can’t wait.” I nodded toward Irina.

Donata glanced over her shoulder then pursed her lips. “Belinda? That’s the important matter that can’t wait?Are you fucking serious right now?”

“What? No. Not her.” A smile pulled at my lips. I didn’t even bother to tell her I meant Irina. “Are you jealous?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I don’t care what you two have going on.” She crossed her arms over her cleavage.

Donata knew what she was doing when she chose to wear that dress tonight. I braced my hand on her waist then slid up so my thumb touched the curve of her breasts. “I don’t know what she told you. But whatever we had, it’s over.” I had no fucking idea why I needed her to know that. “I’ll meet you upstairs in half an hour. Yes? Say yes.”

She regarded me for a few beats before she conceded. “Yes.”

Walking away from her took all the self-control I had. I strode directly toward Irina and Alexei. When he saw me coming, he tried to leave, but Irina held him in place. His eyes were red like he’d been crying. I looked for bruises or cuts but didn’t find any. His gaze cut to the other side of the living room. When I followed his line of sight, I spotted Boris glaring at him.

“Let’s go outside and talk. Hmm?” I placed my arm around his shoulder and ushered him to the courtyard. As soon as the front door shut behind us, I asked, “Boris has never paid you any attention before. I’m guessing he’s intimidating you because you know something important. Something that has to do with him. Am I right?”

“Yes.” He nodded.

“I promise you. He won’t hurt you again. But you have to tell me what you know so I can deal with him.” I stepped back to give him space. “Go on. Tell me what you know.”

“I wasn’t eavesdropping. Or anything. I was downstairs in the pantry eating cookies. I was hiding because Galina told me not to eat them.”

“Okay.” I chuckled.

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