Page 38 of Betrothed
As soon as she handed me the stack, our fingers touched and she sucked in her breath. But this time, she didn’t pull away. Her chest rose and fell, obviously under duress, but I had a feeling it had little to do with being fearful I’d harm her in any way.
She curled her fingers. Every time she backed away from me, it was as if she wasn’t certain she wanted to.
In truth, I craved her touch even if she was someone who could be working with the Ghost. An option that had to be considered.
Morning would dawn soon and the best scenario was for us to leave before it was light out and there might be a shift change. As soon as I began to strip off my clothes, she turned away from me, even placing her hand in front of her face.
Yet when I was in nothing but boxer briefs, she dared another look, sighing when she did.
“Do you like what you see, Vivian?”
“How could I? You’re a killer. You made what we shared tainted. So, no, I do not like what I see.”
“Then you’re lying to yourself since your body has already betrayed you.”
The snap of her head and the vile expression brought a smile to my face. She remained where she was, staring at me as ifdetermined to prove she didn’t give a damn about me or what we’d shared.
I’d known many women in my life. There were some I’d enjoyed more than others, a couple who I’d thought about getting close to, yet I’d hesitated for reasons that seemed decent at the time. And one who had reminded me that I was a beast. However, when walking away, not one had been missed.
At least not after the first woman who’d laid her hands on me, making a lasting impression that I’d never forget. To have this woman at this point in my life awaken certain emotions from deep inside seemed like a waste. I could never allow her into my life, nor would she want to be tied to a man who made her job that much harder.
“Why are you in New York?”
Another honest question that deserved a decent answer. However, when I looked at my watch, it almost felt as if more than just time was running out. “How about this. I’ll tell you what you want to know after we arrive at our destination.”
“And where is that?” She was furious, her stunning eyes drilling a hole straight into me.
I noticed a bag on the shelf and grabbed it. “Here, fill it with some supplies you’ll need. Please.”
Her huff was exactly as I’d expect. “Why, yes, sir.”
“To answer your question. Somewhere safe in an environment I can control.”
She tossed a few items into the bag before stopping long enough to address what I’d said. “Answer me this. Is there anywhere I can go that will be safe from you?”
CHAPTER 9
Vivian
The question had been rhetorical of course.
A man like Kirill had no real answer for a query that had no meaning for him. I knew his type all too well. He was eager to prove his worth in a sea of monsters where each candidate for being Satan’s right arm tried very hard to top another.
I’d saved the lives of two men who could very well work alongside him, although something told me New York wasn’t his home city. Why? Because he’d acted alone in his assassination attempt.
I could tell by the way he was dressed, much like when he’d been on the flight and I’d thought him a powerful businessman that he was someone of importance. If he was working for a crime syndicate, which I suspected, he was in the upper tier of those working for some Don or Pakhan or whichever branch he’d sold his soul to.
And that’s what occurred every time. Men sold their souls for the promise of power and money. Although I had a feeling with Kirill that he enjoyed the work he was doing. When the bag was full of items I’d need to care for him, I studied the way he hid one weapon under the shirt.
If I could get my hands on the other one, I might be able to escape.
The thought was fleeting. Then what? He knew where I worked. For all I knew, he’d been stalking me. Granted, I’d seen the same look of surprise on his face I’d likely shown in mine.
Where I’d been hot under the collar before, I was now nervous around him. Not only because he was carrying a weapon and obviously knew how to use it, but because I was still attracted to him even after what I’d just experienced.
So much so my nipples were aching, the deep throb in my core exactly as had occurred on the plane. And the two nights since. What the hell was he doing in my hospital? There was no way out of all the hospitals and all the millions of people in the city fate had brought us together a second time.
So what then? Had he discovered who I was? And what would it matter if he had? I honestly wasn’t certain at this point.
