Everything seemed in slow motion as the drink was expelled from his hand, the glass dropping then skipping several feet until the single loud crack.
Within two seconds, his arm was wrapped around my throat, dragging me against the heat of his body. Gasping, I struggled even as I heard his deep and very hoarse laugh. In an almost ceremonious fashion, he reached down, prying the gun from my fingers.
“Didn’t your father ever teach you not to play violent games with a dangerous opponent?” His question was meant to taunt me, a quick and easy reminder of the predicament I was in. His fingers wrapped around the mask, ripping it off. “I don’t think you need this any longer. Do you? I will say, I preferred you in the luscious dress you were wearing earlier this evening, without your panties of course. Black simply isn’t your color.”
“Fuck. You.” I was lucky to manage the two words as pulsing lights danced in front of my eyes, my air supply nearly cut off. I shifted just enough to allow me to slam my foot against his leg.
The brawny, muscular man didn’t move an inch, unfazed by my tactics.
Aleksei growled, one hand brushing down the right side of me, the move more provocative than any lover I’d had in years. “Such nasty words for a nice little girl. Or are you simply a bad operative?”
I wanted to lash out, scratching his eyes out. This wasn’t my normal response. I was trained, my skills honed yet I was acting like a rebuked prom date.
The bastard even stroked my hair, taking his time to tangle his fingers in the strands that had fallen from the mangled ponytail.
“You are definitely a woman who needs a lesson in obedience as well as an understanding of danger. You did say you enjoyed a controlling man. You found the right one.”
“Get. Off. Me.” While I knew my words were futile, there were still two guns within close proximity. I planned on using one if not both.
He crowded closer until his entire body was pressed next to mine. I could swear his cock was hard, throbbing. I was sickened at the realization.
And at my body’s almost instant reaction. I was actually attracted to the man. Memories of the passionate kisses we’d shared entered my mind, an ugliness that I never wanted to think about again. I’d allowed my guard to fall, prey to his suave mannerisms and stunning good looks. That went against everything I stood for.
Suddenly, the barrel of the gun was placed against my temple. “You may think of me as a fool, Willow, but I assure you, I am your worst nightmare. If you choose number two of my very generous offer, you will not go easily or quickly. In the end, you’ll beg to die.”
Swallowing, I dug my fingers into his arm, the difficult breaths I was taking forcing me to inhale his scent. Exotic and woodsy just like the man. I was mortified, embarrassed that I was thinking any thoughts other than taking out my target. “And the first?”
“I’m glad you asked,” he said with amusement. “I will give you a promise. If you surrender to me I will make certain your punishment is much less… painful, yet still effective. And I will allow you to live. As long as you play by my rules at all times. Oh, and you will be working for me exclusively.”
Jesus Christ. The options were just as horrible as the situation. If he really believed I would ever give into him in any manner, he was a dreamer. And working for him? Over my dead body. The seconds ticked as I weighed my options. Without a doubt, Aleksei would make good on his threats. That much I knew about the man and his method of operation. There was no way he’d allow me to leave alive. I’d be made an example of.
Just as the Bratva required.
“You have five seconds to decide, or I’ll make the choice for you,” he stated. So calm. So certain of himself.
I was fuming inside, trying to calculate every move I could make. There was little I could do, for now. “Fine.”
“Meaning?” Aleksei dared to brush his cheek against mine, blowing a swath of hot air that actually tickled my skin. “What say you, sweet cherie? What would you prefer me to do to your scrumptious body?”
My stomach churned all over, my heart racing. I made a promise to myself that no matter what I had to do, he would die by my hands one way or the other. “Option one and just get it the fuck over with.”
“Again, the language.” Aleksei released his hold, pushing me away and resuming his perch on the edge of the desk. “I’d offer you a drink.”
“Then please do. I enjoy a good scotch any time I make a deal with the devil,” I huffed, rubbing my aching throat. I knew if the bastard had wanted to kill me in that manner, I would no longer be breathing. I yanked off my gloves, fighting the flurry of nerves. He watched every move, but he remained relaxed.
So in charge.
In control of everything as usual. I’d underestimated him and that would never happen again.
Aleksei chuckled, pocketing my weapon before walking to the oversized bar sitting in the corner. “I have been called many things, Willow, but the devil is certainly powerful.” He was taking a significant risk turning his back to me.
Which meant…
He had known I was coming, was well aware I carried only one weapon. I’d never needed a second and felt it too cumbersome. The bastard. Whoever had betrayed me would find himself in my sights. Snarling, I scanned his office, searching for any other type of weapon I could use.
“There are no other guns here. Or knives, cherie.”
I already loathed the moniker.
He grabbed two glasses, allowing them to clink together then poured both halfway full of scotch, not bothering to add ice. As he walked in my direction, one arm held out, his smile remained intact. He was enjoying every second of my wretched situation. “Please enjoy. I am nothing if not a consummate host.”
I shifted closer, wary of every one of his intentions. I was no fool. Aleksei Petrov was a parasite, the kind that fed on the flesh and tragedies of every human being who could provide additional wealth to his empire. My family was no exception. He wanted to squash Church Exports into oblivion in order to bolster the Philadelphia Bratva. They wanted to be the biggest bad-asses, eliminating the competition. Our success had made them sweat.
As I reached for the drink, our fingers accidentally touched. I’d never been one for first attractions, knowing that the physicality of body to body connections was short-lived. However, the electricity soaring through my fingers, shifting directly into my pussy was almost too much to take. I only realized I’d sucked in my breath when his eyes flashed, the dimple on his chin even more pronounced.
Jerking back, the drink in my hand, I turned slightly in order to try to salvage some sort of professional demeanor. The thought was laughable. I was standing in the presence of evil.
“I consider your attempt to eradicate my life one of the best, a true compliment,” he offered, moving back toward his desk, swirling the liquid even as he stepped over the broken glass. “I suggest we have a toast.”
This wasn’t just audacity but some level of subjugation. I was ready to cut out his heart. Instead, I gave back the same smile he was giving me, allowing the rims of our glasses to touch. “Why the hell not? To eliminating baggage.”
His laugh was genuine, softening the lines on his face. I knew almost everything about the man from his tastes in wine and women, to cigars and expensive cars. What I didn’t know entirely about were his true weaknesses, with the exception of the one. Everyone had them, either family or friends, secrets they harbored deep inside.
I was no exception, but I’d gone to great lengths to hide mine.
“I really don’t want to eliminate you, Willow. You are a formidable enemy and one even I can learn from. I believe we can share many objectives together.”
“You are such a fool, Aleksei.”