Page 58 of Shattered Crown

“Where do you think you’re going, wife?”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

MAXIM

My mind must be playingtricks on me. I blink hard, convinced my vision is blurred by The Butcher's punches. But no, there she is—Kira, standing amidst the chaos, looking so exposed, so vulnerable in this sea of unbridled male aggression. She thinks she can handle herself, but it's cold comfort when my enemies are actively pursuing her.

Rage replaces reason as my gaze fixes on The Butcher. Every ounce of me is driven by a single purpose to end this fight—now. That's exactly what I do seconds later with a swift roundhouse to his knee, bringing my towering opponent down like a sack of potatoes. I had hoped to toy with him a bit longer, but seeing her here changes everything.

I don't even stick around to bask in the roar of the crowd. As soon as my victory is declared, I vault over the ropes, my gaze locked onto the flash of Kira's blonde hair as she pushes through the frenzied crowd. My little lastochka thinks she can run from me. How wrong she is.

I let her get as far as the entrance. I let her taste freedom before I lunge for her, one arm wrapping around her middle like a seatbelt, lifting her right off the ground and bringing her flush with my body, adrenaline still pumping hard through my system.

“Where do you think you’re going, wife?” I hiss into her ear.

Her breath catches, and she fights me. Of course she does. Wriggling and trying to break free of my grasp, but that’s not going to happen. Ever again.

One nod at the bouncer, and he rushes to open a side door for me. It leads out to the alleyway between two looming brick buildings, dimly lit and echoing with the distant sounds of the city. The door slams shut behind us, the roar of the crowd cut off.

Before she can do anything else, I press her against the cold, rough wall. My hands shoot out, planting firmly on either side of her head, caging her in.

Her chest heaves with short, panicked breaths, her wide eyes locked onto mine. There's a wild defiance in them, but also fear.

My voice is a low growl, vibrating with anger. “Have you no fucking sense of self-preservation? Wasn’t nearly being killed once today enough? You made it that much easier for my enemies to get to you.”

She notches her chin and pushes against my chest with a dark glare, but I don’t budge. I have a sudden pressing urge to turn her around, press her against the wall, and fuck her mercilessly until she chants my name like I’m her personal savior. Fuck that stubborn streak right out of her. But first, I’m going to make my wife spill all of her secrets—right here, right now.

"What about you?!" she explodes. Despite the tremor in her words, the fire in her eyes is unwavering. “You get to take off into the night, alone and with no word of explanation? You don’t even have a weapon on you. Your double standards are bullshit.”She punctuates her words with a furious stomp of her foot. “Fuck you, Maxim!”

I slam the underside of my balled fist into the brick above her head.

She flinches, swallowing hard, her delicate throat moving under the pale glow of a distant street light.

“Why did you follow me? What were you hoping to learn by trailing me?” Because that’s the only way she could have known where I went. Other than my driver, who is a steel trap, no one else knew where I was headed.

“I … I thought maybe you were going to see another woman.” She takes a shaky breath, her resolve faltering for a moment. "I had to see for myself.”

“Haven’t we moved past this already?” I weigh her words, trying to gauge her honesty and finding it sorely lacking. “I’m not interested in any more lies.”

Leaning in close, the heat of our bodies mingles in the cool air. I wrap my hand around her neck like a collar, feeling for the delicate pulse thumping under my fingers. “I’m going to give you one more chance to tell me the truth, and if you don’t…” I squeeze the slightest bit, giving her a taste of what it feels like to have your air supply cut off. “I’m ending this right now.”

Her eyes widen in horror and tears spring to the corners, glistening in the dim light.

“No, you wouldn’t… How could you?—”

“I would,” I cut her off. “Start talking. Right. Fucking. Now.” I lightly trace her pulse with my thumb, the tender touch contrasting with the veiled threat it carries. Not that I’d actually kill her, but I want her to believe I will. “Why do you think Roman’s been your bodyguard all this time? I have eyes and ears on you, and you sure ask a lot of questions. You sneak into my office, and then you follow me here. Start talking while you still can. Because I’m out of patience.”

She heaves a sob. “You are a fucking animal!” Her voice carries fierce, raw emotion.

“I am. No one would disagree.” My fingers around her throat tighten again, only for a second. I want her to feel fear, to understand I have all the power here and we’re not leaving this alley without a confession. But when she remains stubbornly silent, I’ve had enough. “Have it your way, lastochka.”

I spin her around, still pushing her against the wall, ignoring her gasp of surprise. I was never going to choke her, but she sure as hell earned this punishment.

“Maxim.” She tries to turn, but I don't let her. I grab the back of her neck and force her to face forward, away from me. With the other hand, I pull her leggings down right to her knee so her pristine pale skin is exposed to me.

“What are you?—”

My hand connects with her ass cheek, delivering a hard smack that echoes in the quiet of the night. Lust shoots through me as I take in the pink imprint on her skin. I did that. I marked her, and it only makes me hungry for more.

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