Page 94 of Venomous Desires

His green eyes widened and then narrowed, the bare annoyance shining. Ah, this was the real him behind the mask. That made me take another step back, and I tried to calm myself and steadied my voice. “I appreciate your concern, Ivan, I really do, but I can handle this on my own. I don’t need your help.”

“Sera-” he growled.

His demeanour suddenly shifted, and I saw a flash of something darker, more dangerous. He clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. Anger and frustration twisted his features as he struggled to maintain control. His eyes blazed as he took a step forward. His lips twitching.

“You think you can just walk away?” His voice lost the softness, the mask fell to the ground exposing the true Ivan underneath. “You don’t understand what you’re dealing with. You don’t know what he’s capable of.”

I took another step back, my heart racing. “I know enough to know I don’t need your help.”

His eyes darkened further. He took a step forward, closing the distance between us. “You’re being stubborn and reckless. You’re going to get yourself killed.”

Fear surged through me as he reached for my arm again, his grip tightening painfully. Instinctively, I slapped his hand away, my palm stinging from the impact. “Don’t touch me!”

For a moment, he looked stunned, as if he couldn’t believe I yelled at him. Then his expression twisted into something almost unhinged. He laughed slowly and lifted his head as his eyes shifted behind me and a smirk pulled across his lips. “You have no idea what you’re getting into, Sera. But fine, have it your way.” He leaned down and whispered. “I will miss you.”

My eyes widened as his lips brushed over my cheek, and I pushed him back. He smiled. “See you soon.”

I stared at his back as he blended into the crowd. What… did that mean?

Students stared at me, and I tried to make sense of it all. I turned around just in time when I felt a warm presence behind me. My eyes met the face of one of the students as her eyes widened and the chaos broke. A hand wrapped around my middle, hard front glued to my back, and I quickly smelled theexpensive cologne and scent of the cigar.

“Oh my god, isn’t that…”

I ignored the voices, focusing solely on the danger of standing behind me as he whispered in low, frightening words against my ear. “What the fuck do you think you were doing, Ptichka?”

Chapter 33

The Prey

Igulped.

Didn’t Kyle say he’d pick me up? What was this psycho doing here? He shouldn’t be here.

I swallowed again, but my mouth was dry, so it didn’t soothe the itchiness lodged in my throat. I did not reply. I just couldn’t. Eyes were staring at me. People around me were gasping; some even pulled out their phones, and I heard the haunting sounds of cameras clicking.

“What is she doing with him?”

“Why is she with him?”

Of course, people would question when their beloved bachelor would be found hugging a girl in front of the university. Some unknown, good-for-nothing girl. A desperate girl who sold her soul to the devil just for money. They would gossip. Make me the guilty one. No one would believe me.

Breath caught in my lungs. No escape. Trapped in his arms. It was a vortex of despair.

The chilly hands were strangely warm as the hold tightened,and I flinched as his fingers dug into my waist and I was twisted around. Eyes bore into my soul, stripping away the facade. Judging. Condemning. His eyes, though shielded by the shades, I could feel him piercing through my soul. Another reality check. He was not blind. And that scared me more than anything should.

“I don’t like repeating myself, Ptichka. Either you open your mouth or I’ll do it for you.” Whispers like serpents slithered around me. Venomous. And it took all my self-restraint to not shudder. People were watching; words would soon spread. I’d become the topic of their conversations. Murderer. That’s what I’d be known as.

My pulse raced, pounding in my ears like a war drum. A noose tightened around my neck. I swallowed hard, my mouth dry, thoughts spiralling.

His eyes pierced me, stripping away my defences. I felt their burn, their mark. In that moment, I realized escape was impossible.

“I-I…” Speak, I urged myself. But my lips stayed sealed. Fear held them shut.

His hair gelled back, a suggestive strand curled and fell on his left brow, over the shades. High cheekbones and a chiselled face. Cold. Lips set in a straight line, brows furrowed, and the muscle under his jaw twitched the same moment his fingers dug into me.

“Very well, if that’s how you want it to roll,” He pulled away. Shadows flickered behind him; that’s when I noticed Kyle standing behind him wearing a cold expression. He didn’t look amused at all. “Kyle.”

Kyle nodded, his eyes locking onto mine. Disoriented, I swayed as he grabbed me by the upper arm. I stammered, “What are you doing?”