Page 38 of Claim Me (Dmitriyev Bratva #2)

“Is that really true? I know you were outside at the right time and place, able to…” She hesitated, a slight nervous look sweeping across her face. “Able to protect me, but if what I’ve read about Popov’s organization is true, he has hundreds of men ready to die to do his bidding.”

Well, shit. She’d been spending time learning about the enemy. This wasn’t getting us anywhere and I wanted to be inside the resort when and if Popov accepted the sordid invitation.

“True enough.”

“Trust me. I will find a way to go to the resort. There’s nothing you can do to stop me. I know you think I’m incapable of handling myself with everything that has happened, but you would be wrong. Besides, we’ve never been on a date.”

What? What tactic was she trying to use? I knew my expression was one of confusion and it delighted her.

“I mean you’ve fucked me three times. Don’t you think I deserve an evening out? Not that I didn’t enjoy watching you squirm when we watched my favorite movie.”

“Squirm?” I repeated. There’d been two people in my life who’d challenged me so openly. My father, who got a pass. And Mikhail, who’d gotten a black eye. That had been in my… black sheep days. It was obvious I’d shoved aside the fact she was tougher than she appeared.

“Oh, you squirmed. And here I thought you wanted me to believe you were some big, bad tough guy.” She was thoroughly enjoying herself. Why had I not noticed this side of her?

“Marissa.”

“Don’t Marissa me. I’ve been to the resort a few times, but I’ve never eaten in any of the restaurants and I’ve certainly never spent the night.

It might be nice to get away from… memories.

” The last word and how her voice dropped off was the only indication she was still broken from the tragedy.

Her resolve was forced, but she was a damn good actress.

“Out of the question. We’ll have this… date later.”

She gripped my face, digging her short but effective nails into my skin.

“Kazimir, it’s time for you to listen to me for a change.

I understand the danger. Maybe more than I wanted to believe.

My parents were murdered. At least that’s what Charlie believed and I trust his judgment even now.

My brother wasn’t prone to histrionics. He tried to protect me, but I could see him cracking around the edges.

Now my brother’s life has been taken because he tried to protect me and the dream my father had nurtured.

We don’t know the details around the deal that was made but learning them is vital.

Even I know that as a musician. I might be new to the game of politics within a crime syndicate, but I’m a very quick learner and I deserve answers and revenge.

As I said, I am going to that meeting. Like it or not. ”

I’d be damned if the woman didn’t head to the front door, throwing it open then grabbing her suitcase.

“Do not walk out that door, Marissa.” Even with her head turned, she’d heard me. Hell, my men had heard me and likely half the neighborhood. Christ, the woman had gotten so far under my skin I was unnerved. What in the hell was I going to do with her, tie her to the bed?

My cock actually twitched from the evil thought. Somehow, I had a feeling that even if I used metal handcuffs, she’d find a way to chew them off.

“Or what? You’ll punish me?” She threw a look over her shoulder. What was the saying? If looks could kill. “Oh, I’m so afraid.”

With that, she walked out the door, Simon peering inside as soon as she did. He glanced back as she walked toward her car then to me, his eyes wide open. “Um. Should I go after her, boss?”

“No,” I said, my jaw clenched so tightly it ached. “I’ll handle it. Change of plans. Get the men ready to leave. It’s your job and the others to protect Ms. Valentine. Do not allow her out of your sight.”

He sucked in his lips and for a second, I was certain he was trying not to smile. I glared at him and stormed toward the front door. I’d buy another goddamn change of clothes. I could buy anything I wanted in the goddamn world.

I could do anything I wanted. Skydiving. Rock climbing. Purchase a yacht. Hell, I could buy a couple of houses in Europe with a single phone call.

Yet I couldn’t control one feisty female.

Brushing past Simon, I headed to her car just as she started to climb inside. Obviously, I hadn’t done a very good job of explaining the situation, the danger, or the part about who was in charge.

That was about to end.

“You’re not going.”

“I am,” she said sweetly. “Unless you’re prepared to handcuff me to a chair, I’m going with you or without you. Perhaps I’ll handle the meeting with Popov. Hell has no fury like a woman pissed off that some Russian asshole decided to make himself both king and God.”

“Which Russian are you talking about?”

“You tell me.”

At least I could still shock her. I grabbed her bag with one hand, tossing her over my shoulder with the other. She did have a right to face the enemy and even to revenge, but she wasn’t prepared for what that meant and I certainly wasn’t going to dare tell her she had a point.

“Put me down,” she demanded.

“No. You’ve made your point and I can’t risk you doing something crazy. I can’t protect you that way. Fine. You will come with me, but you are going to do exactly what I tell you to do.” I threw open the car door, gently dumping her into the passenger seat.

Before she had a chance to refute me or even try her hand at escaping, I reached across her, grabbing the seatbelt while placing a single finger of my other hand across her lips. “Do not fight me. Do not.”

She pulled back, giving me the same look she had the first time I’d officially met her before turning her head away. I clicked the belt into place, ensuring her long legs were safe inside, then slammed the door.

Fuck me.

As if I wasn’t starting to get gray hairs already. The woman was going to be the death of me.