Page 44 of Black Sheep

“I—” he starts.

“I’d love to know why you’re flirting with my wife,” Igrowl, stepping out onto the balcony and glaring down at the guard stationed on the ground below.

“Mr. Belov,” the guard says, snapping his shoulders back into a military stance.

“Dane, right?” I ask, recognizing him as one of the new guards, Greyson, the head of our security recently employed.

“Yes, sir,” he answers immediately.

“Do you know who the woman you were speaking to is?

“Yes, sir.”

“Dimitri,” Alabama says quietly.

“Do not speak,” I say, turning to look at her and silencing her with a single glare.

“So, you were deliberately flirting with my wife?” I ask Dane, my tone cold and lethal.

“No, sir. I was just being friendly, sir,” he answers.

“Unless it is an emergency situation and you need to speak to alert her to an immediate safety request, you do not look at her, you do not speak to her and if you value your fucking life, you do not flirt with her. Do. You. Understand?” I demand.

“Yes, sir,” Dane says, averting his gaze.

Pulling my cell from my pocket, I dial Greyson’s number. “Boss.” He answers on the second ring.

“Send someone to take over from Dane beneath the balcony,” I snap.

“Okay. I’ll have Shaun replace him. Is there a problem?”

“Apparently the men haven’t been made aware that flirting with my wife is an easy way to get shot in thefucking head,” I snarl.

“Jesus, Dimi, did you kill him?” Greyson sighs, sounding aggravated.

“No. I had a good night’s sleep last night, so I’ve spared him for now. But if he or any of the other men so much as look at her again, I’ll rip out their eyes and make them fucking eat them.”

“I’ll spread the word, you crazy motherfucker.” Greyson laughs.

Before I have a chance to end the call, I see Shaun jogging across the grounds. Nodding at me respectfully, he takes Dane’s place beneath the balcony, while the other man strides away, not even glancing back as he rushes to leave.

“He wasn’t flirting with me,” she says quietly.

“Did I not warn you what would happen if anyone here tried to help you leave us?” I growl.

“I didn’t?—”

“Do you want his blood on your hands, Malishka? Because I will have him kneel at your feet while I put a bullet through his skull. Do you understand?”

Her face pales as she nods.

“Tell me. I need to hear you say it.”

“I understand,” she whispers, her voice shaky.

“Good, now come,” I snap.

“I’d rather stay here.”