Page 94 of Bratva's Mercy
He gave a heavy sigh. “Not with our pants down our thighs.”
I quickly fixed his clothes, then mine, and ducked out from under his arms. “You damn near sucked me dry. I need to rehydrate. Do you want something to drink as well?”
I pretended I didn’t see his grin, turning my back to him and leading the way to the kitchen.
“Sure. Something sweeter, though—like you.”
I rolled my eyes and got myself a bottle of chilled water. I found a bottle of Lucozade for him. He made a face, and I scowled, pulling it back. “What? You don’t want it?”
“No, it’s fine.” He took the bottle from me and twisted the cap off.
“If you wanted something else, be specific next time.”
I pulled out a stool and sat across from him at the island. He came around to my side and took the seat right next to me, spreading so our legs brushed.
“What do you want to know?” he asked.
“What did Morozov want?”
His thigh pressed against mine went rigid. “Why do you think Maxim wanted something?”
“Because you were doing fine until he showed up, and all of a sudden you became this killing machine that wouldn’t listen to reason.”
“I listened. I just knew what I had to do.”
“What did killing him solve?”
“He’s hardly dead now. Is he?”
“Only because I was there to resuscitate him.”
“What do you want me to do, Leo? Promise not to kill him again?”
“That would be a start.”
“Well, I can’t do that.”
“Right.” I got up and pushed back the stool. “Because Morozov’s needs will always override mine.”
“Leo, it’s not the same thing.”
“I-I thought you loved me.”
Well, I’ve just sunk as low as I possibly can, using his perceived love for me against him.
“I do.”
“You’ve got a funny way of showing it.”
Sergei fell silent, his hand flexing on the bottle. His nostrils flared, then he inhaled deeply and lowered his head. “Leo, do you know I have something to ask you?”
“Then ask.”
Slowly, Sergei rose to his feet. “Maxim thinks you’re using me or something. I’m afraid of the answer, so I don’t ask.” He hooked a finger into the waistband of his sweatpants I wore and pulled me close. “But if you are, please don’t let me find out about it. I hate to think of the person I might become if you do, and I don’t ever want to hurt you.”
Despite the water I’d just drunk, my mouth went dry again, and my heart pounded at the warning in his voice. I should insist on my innocence, but the words would not come. It was becoming increasingly difficult to say no to him.
He released me and took a step back. “I won’t kill him again. You have my word.”
