Page 10

“Then teach me the rules.”

The world spins as Erik's hands grab me, and my dinner plate drops to the ground, smashing. One moment, I'm taunting him; the next, I'm slammed face-first against the wall, my breath knocked out. His body pins me, all hard muscle and controlled violence.

“What—”

He yanks me around and marches me toward the bed. My heart pounds against my ribs, fear finally breaking through my cocky facade. His fingers dig into my bicep as he shoves me onto the mattress.

The mattress dips under Erik's weight as he straddles me, his massive frame blocking out the ceiling lights. My breath catches as he pulls zip ties from his tactical vest. The plastic crackles as he secures my right wrist to the bedpost, and I can't help but test the restraint—it doesn't budge.

“Is this what gets you off?” I challenge, but my voice wavers as he captures my left wrist. His calloused fingers brush my skin, sending unwanted shivers through me.

Erik works in silence, methodically binding each ankle. Up close, I truly grasp how enormous he is—his shoulders span twice my width, biceps are as thick as my thighs. One of those hands could wrap entirely around my throat.

He shifts his weight, and I feel the raw power in his muscles. The realization hits me hard: if he wanted to hurt me, there would be nothing I could do to stop him. This man has killed people with his bare hands. I know exactly what he's capable of.

“You pushed too far,” he growls, checking the final restraint. His face hovers inches from mine, dark eyes burning with something that makes my heart race. “You'll stay tied for the rest of my shift.”

I pull against the zip ties again, testing each one to see if they are secure. The plastic bites into my skin, holding firm. Erik's body heat radiates through my thin clothes as he looms over me, and I'm acutely aware of every point where we almost touch.

My chest rises and falls rapidly as he pulls back, and I notice his hands are trembling slightly. Whether from restraint or desire, I'm not sure. But the way he's looking at me—like a predator sizing up prey—makes me wonder if I've finally pushed him too far.

I search his expression for any crack in his mask. There's nothing. No desire. No struggle. Just empty darkness in those eyes.

“You can't?—”

“I can do whatever I need to maintain order.” He towers over me, shoulders blocking the light. “You pushed. I pushed back. That's how this works.”

My stomach drops as I realize my mistake. I thought I was winning, thought I had him wrapped around my finger. But this man isn't some weak-willed guard I can manipulate. He's letting me see exactly what he wants me to see.

“Now.” He steps back, resuming his position by the door. “Be quiet and behave, or the ties get tighter.”

I test the zip tie. It's snug but not cutting off circulation. Even in punishment, he's calculating. I've severely underestimatedErik Ivanov, and that realization terrifies me more than the restraints.

6

ERIK

Istep out of the room, my hands still trembling from the encounter. Viktor's eyebrows shoot up as he takes in the scene behind me—Katarina bound on the bed, her dinner scattered across the floor.

“What the hell happened here?” Viktor pulls me into the hallway, his voice low.

I crack my neck, trying to ease the tension that's been building for hours. “She kept pushing. Trying to get under my skin with her little games.”

“Games?” Viktor crosses his arms.

“Seduction. Manipulation.” The memory of her lips wrapping around that fork makes my jaw clench. “She thought she could break my control, use it against me.”

“So you zip-tied her to the bed?” There's a hint of amusement in Viktor's tone that sets my teeth on edge.

“It was necessary.” I flex my fingers, still feeling the phantom sensation of pinning her wrists. “She needs to understand her position here. We're not playing around.”

Viktor studies my face for a long moment. “You sure that's all it was?”

“What else would it be?” I snap, but the words come out rougher than intended.

“Nothing.” Viktor holds up his hands. “Just making sure you're keeping your head straight. Can't have our best enforcer getting compromised by a pretty face.”

“I know what I'm doing.” The lie tastes bitter on my tongue. Because the truth is, I'm not sure I do anymore, not with her.