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Something snaps in me. “You’re being paranoid. I’m a guest. I’m a good friend of the groom, if you must know. So, sorry to burst your bubble, but I’m not stalking you and no secret organization sent me after you. I’m here for Max. That’s it.”

“Did your homework, I see.”

“Not homework.” I push out as he eyes me with suspicion. “A guest.”

“And I’m not buying it.”

“I’m not asking you to.”

“Good, because you’re a shit liar.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake. I barely remember you.” I stop myself saying I regret doing anything with him because then I wouldn’t have my Sasha, but honestly… “So, can you get your paranoid ass out of my way?”

I don’t wait. This time, I push hard, knowing he won’t budge, and then I dart to the left of him.

“I’m not done,” he growls.

Panic pushes at me, because I remember the suite, the money it had to have cost. And he looks even richer. The suit itself is clearly made for him and it’s gorgeous. This is a man who could take my baby from me. I try to gauge the situation. I need to get the fuck out of here and leave the moment the wedding’s over.

It won’t take much to ask Max not to say a word about me or Sasha to anyone. And surely this guy won’t bother the groom today.

But one look at him tells me he would.

I just need to get out of here.

I’m not done?Fuck that.

“I am,” I say. “So back the hell off.”

He lets me take three steps. Three. And then he has my arm. This time the grip is hard, and he pulls me in and pushes me into the wall, harder this time, and he moves in, pinning me there.

His mouth is a breath from mine. “No one walks away from me. Especially not you,Lyubimaya.”

Chapter Seven

DEMYAN

On any kindof numerical scale, I’m probably up near obnoxious and bordering on bullying, but fuck it. Why is she here?

There are ways to handle things, but I’m still reeling from seeing this woman again, and touching her is like no time has passed since the last time.

She raises her chin, beautiful face carved from angry, unforgiving stone, and she says, “Get the fuck out of my way, or I’ll cause a scene.”

It’s the calm flatness that strikes me. And I have to say it’s impressive. Not many would stand up to me or speak to me like that.

I stare at her a moment, taking her in. Just how serious is she about making a scene? And would that reinforce or negate her apparently knowing Max? But… Fuck, I don’t know.

What are the odds of her turning up here? Especially when I haven’t seen her in years, when my sister or Max never mentioned her. And Alina loves to point out all the prettywomen in the hopes of getting me to settle down with someone nice.

Someone, she says, who isn’t part of some business deal.

“I mean it,” the blonde says. She opens her mouth like she’s going to scream and I shake my head.

“Cause a scene, and that’s the last scene you’ll want to create.”

“Why?” she asks, big hazel eyes glittering. “Is that a threat? You’re what? Going to kill me?”

Well, fuck it all. It crosses my mind to point out I never mentioned killing anyone, and why the hell would I over… whatever this is. But it’s piqued my interest. Because me telling her I’ll drag her ass off if she even dares to think of ruining Alina and Max’s wedding maybe tanning it a glowing red has somehow equated to a death threat.