Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 67534 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67534 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
“You’re not known for rescuing women,” I continue. “So what exactly is this?”
He goes to the counter where he brews coffee at a Keurig I didn’t notice. He doesn’t answer my question at first, instead taking his time to make his drink. He’s irritatingly patient.
I get up and join him in the kitchen, grabbing one of the knives since his back is to me. Immediately, he turns on me, wrapping his fingers around my wrist until I’m forced to let go of the handle. The knife clatters onto the floor, the sound of metal hitting wood filling up the space.
He looks mildly amused before he twists my arm behind my back and pushes me into the kitchen island. My hip hits the edge. His body follows a second later, pinning me.
I immediately notice the heat of him against my back. He’s warm and solid through his shirt.
I wrench out of his grasp and turn on him, driving my knee upward. He blocks it easily with his thigh without even looking down. I try to roll my shoulder under his arm and slip free. He adjusts with me like he’s anticipating the shift before I make it.
His other hand settles at my waist to stop my rotation and his grip tightens slightly.
“You’re wasting your energy,” he says quietly into my ear. “I’m not like those men who tried to grab you last night. I have much more training.”
“Let go of me,” I hiss, not even trying to get away. I know when I’m physically outmatched.
“Not until you agree not to try and attack me again.”
My body is flush against his for a second longer than it needs to be.
I hate that I register the shape of him. I hate that my body is so aware of his. He’s not even out of breath.
“I will never submit to you,” I tell him through clenched teeth.
His mouth lifts slightly on one side. It isn’t a smile, exactly, but he does look amused.
“Good,” he replies calmly.
That wasn’t the response I expected. He leans in just enough that I feel his breath near my ear. “Fight me.”
The words aren’t mocking, but he’s definitely challenging me, testing my resolve. Then he releases my wrist abruptly.
I shove him back on instinct. He gives ground half a step, more to reset than because I moved him.
I put space between us.
“You think this is amusing,” I say, irritated. “This is my life. I’m not some pawn for you or my father or Mikhail to use.”
“Is that what you think?” he asks, looking genuinely curious.
“You brought me here because you think I’m useful,” I say. “You think you can use me as leverage. Maybe you want some of his territory or you think you can negotiate some kind of treaty.”
He neither confirms nor denies, which is even more irritating. His face is completely impassive. I wish I understood anything about him, but he’s giving me nothing to go on.
“You miscalculated,” I continue. “Mikhail doesn’t negotiate when he’s embarrassed.”
His eyes sharpen slightly at that.
“Does he embarrass easily?” he asks, almost smirking.
He’s trying to get a rise out of me, I know. That’s all this is. I won’t give into it. I hold his gaze. Then I push him again, out of frustration.
He studies my face like he’s cataloging information.
“Watch yourself, Valkyrie,” he says slowly. “I’m not always so patient.”
He takes a step back, but I can still feel the tension rolling off of him. I’m going to make him regret ever bringing me here.
5
VIKTOR
She leaves in frustration, huffing and taking a step back, before turning on her heel and running up the stairs. In that moment, I get a sense of her. I imagine her as a teenager, slamming doors and screaming at her father.
I can’t imagine Ivan Malenkov liked that very much.
In her absence, I know I have work to do. I need to make calls and plans. Taking her was impulsive, and probably a mistake, but the decision has already been made. I need to prepare myself for the fallout.
I call Sergei first. He needs to know what’s going on and what I need from him to keep the business running while I’m with Anya.
“Lock down the docks,” I tell him. “We need to confirm every shipment that’s coming in. Increase the security rotations, and double our safety checks.”
“Of course,” he answers dutifully. “Does this have anything to do with our meeting about Grinkov?”
“Yes,” I answer honestly, though I don’t give him any additional details on the situation. The less he knows at this point, the better.
He pauses briefly before answering again.
“Understood,” he says.
The next call goes to Misha, my eyes and ears on Brighton Beach.
“I want eyes on Volna,” I tell him. “In fact, I want eyes on all of the Grinkov clubs. I want to know about any activity happening there, and any comings and goings that may look like meetings.”