Page 28 of Beautiful Trauma

“If I had any honor in me, I should tell you to go, but I don’t want to. I want you to stay, so I can get to know you. And I’m fucking scared if you do walk out that door right now, I might not ever feel the same way about someone again.”

She blinked at me in disbelief. “I’m fighting the urge to pinch you right now because I can’t believe a man like you is real.”

I took her hand in mine and brought it to my chest. Trying to lighten the mood, I slid it down my pec to my nipple. “That’s a good start.”

A laugh burst from her lips before she twisted my nipple in painful pleasure. “You’re real.”

“A real jackass most days.”

“I doubt that seriously.” Sliding her hand up my chest and neck, she rested it against my cheek. “That’s why I’m going to stay to get to know you better.”

Relief echoed through me. “I’m so fucking glad to hear that.”

“Good. Now go get cleaned up.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I then rose to my feet. “Make yourself comfortable. You should probably drink some water.”

“I will.”

With a smile, I then turned and headed into the bathroom.

CHAPTER SEVEN: MILA

As Kellan started into the bathroom to shower, I tried processing everything that had transpired between us. My emotions felt like I was on an out-of-control rollercoaster.

To say I was rattled by what I’d witnessed on the dance floor would be a hell of an understatement. Seeing Kellan’s ferocity was deeply unnerving. Whatever research Dima had done about Kellan was clearly wrong. He was just as brutal as the men in our world.

The only truth of his intel was that Kellan was protective when it came to women. That was evident in how he’d gone to bat for me. It also made more sense with what had happened with his mother and sister.

But Dima had underestimated how far Kellan would take that protectiveness and now Anton was paying the price.

I’d been so rattled that I’d needed time to pull myself and my fake persona back together. Considering my feelings, I hadn’t had to work hard to pretend I was passing out. I also wasn’t pretending to be scared of Kellan. His switch had flipped so quickly that it reminded me of the men in Bratva.

But then after the physical and emotional care he gave me in his office, I found myself more intrigued than repulsed. His actions spoke to my trauma. Besides Dima, no man had ever fought for me. Not in Bratva or out.

In those moments, I found myself attracted not just to him physically, but emotionally. Just like he felt, I wanted to get to know him better, which considering my mission was sheer stupidity. I mean, considering we had an expiration date that came when I jabbed a sedative in his neck, what was the point?”

Despite all of the complications, I needed a little more time. At the end of the night if all I got out of him was physical intimacy, I would gladly take it. I was that starved for affection.

When I heard the water turn on in the bathroom, I said in a low voice, “Since you heard what I did about Dare’s girlfriend, are we still executing the full plan?”

“Absolutely. Father wants as much information as possible for when we confront him.”

“Okay, I’ll handle it from here. I’m going offline.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. You have your hands full with Anton.” Grimacing, I asked, “How’s he doing?”

“After we picked him off the street where they dumped him, I patched him up as best I could and gave him a shot of morphine for the pain. As soon as we get back to Philly, I’ll send him to clinic.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. Plans get fucked up.”

I winced. “Jesus, is that all he is? A fucked up plan?”

Dima grunted. “He’s Bratva, Mila. He knows the risks.”