Page 17 of Mafia Prince's Secret Baby

The sound of that word—volchitsa—sends a shiver down my spine, and I hate that he notices. His smile grows wider, a flash of approval in his eyes.

“Don’t you dare try to intimidate me,” I hiss, squaring my shoulders.

“There’s nothing to be afraid of,” he says, his tone almost soothing. “Now step aside. I want to meet my daughter.”

“You’re crazy if you think I’m letting that happen,” I snarl, planting myself firmly between him and the car. “She’s not your daughter. She’smine.”

“Wrong,” Igor growls, his eyes narrowing. “She’sours.Now move before I physically remove you.”

I hold my ground, lifting my chin in defiance. “If you want her, Igor, you’ll have to go through me.”

For a moment, his gaze locks with mine, and the air between us crackles with tension.

He doesn’t scare me.

Much.

He grins, his expression sharp and dangerous, like a wolf circling its prey. “You shouldn’t have said that, sweetheart.”

His hand moves toward me, curling a lock of my hair around his index finger. He twists it slowly, deliberately, before tucking it behind my ear. The small, almost tender gesture sends a ripple through me, my stomach fluttering against my will.

I won’t let him know it.

His lips hover mere inches from mine, close enough that I can feel his breath on my skin. He could kiss me now if he wanted, and God help me, I’m terrified of what would happen if he did.

To keep my focus, I mentally start listing his worst qualities. Bastard. Bratva. Manipulative. Cold. Ruthless. But my traitorousbrain betrays me, offering up images of those piercing blue eyes and that sly, arrogant smirk instead.

Damn it, Katya.

I hate myself for being so weak. For being so impulsive all those years ago.

“You’re an asshole,” I say sharply, snapping out of it and forcing the words in the hopes they’ll armor me against the effect he has on me.

His grin widens, maddeningly unfazed.

I push harder, my voice rising. “You’re a bastard, Igor. A selfish, evil bastard who only knows how to hurt people. What makes you think I’d let you anywhere near my daughter?”

But instead of backing down, he tightens his hold on a new lock of my hair, his grip firm enough to send a sharp jolt of awareness through me. Before I can jerk away, he yanks me closer, the motion quick and controlled.

I yelp, my free hand shooting up to grab his wrist, trying to push him away. His strength makes it pointless.

“You keep pushing me,volchitsa,” he whispers, his voice low and menacing. “Do you know where this ends? This is where I take Sofiya, pack her into a car, and disappear. Is that what you want? I’d say a girl this young needs her mother.”

His words send a chill through me, but I don’t flinch. I won’t let him see even a flicker of weakness.

“You’re an evil man,” I say, my voice trembling with fury, not fear. “All you do is destroy the people around you. Why would I believe you’d be any different with her?”

His jaw tightens, but there’s no real remorse in his expression, only the faintest trace of irritation. “I’m different,” he says simply, as if that’s enough to convince me.

It’s not.

I change tactics, trying to regain control of the situation. I take a small step closer, erasing the last bit of space between us,my heart pounding wildly. His warm breath brushes my lips, his chest firm against mine.

I’m playing with fire.

But then again, so is he.

“What do you want, Igor?” I whisper, my voice softening. “Name it. Whatever it is, I’ll give it to you. Just, please, leave us alone.”