Page 83 of Claim Me

Shaking, I could no longer feel my legs. All sound dissipated as I’d always managed to do during times of stress. The confrontation had taken all my energy. For a moment, I was the lost little girl wishing I could run into Daddy’s arms as I once had.

I’d tried too hard to pretend I was strong, that I could handle the fear and grief, the constant anxiety without breaking into little pieces, but right now, I’d never felt so helpless or so small. My own father. I closed my eyes briefly, reminding myself that Vladimir Popov was a criminal and would likely sell his own son for money. It didn’t provide me with much comfort. At least Kazimir had prepared me for the possibility. Without him doing so, I would have fallen apart.

Or would I?

“Yes, both are assholes. You handled yourself very well.”

“They’re both lucky I didn’t cut their dicks off and shove them down their throats.” I smoothed my hand down my dress. My words were caustic, but I was trembling all over.

“I like this girl,” Alexsey said as he winked. Heat rose on my face.

This wasn’t like me. The bad language. The desire to kill people. Everything had changed in three short days.

I no longer recognized myself.

Suddenly, I was in Kazimir’s arms and he was lifting my head with a single finger. Blinking, I tried to pull away if for no other reason than some instinct he’d chastise me for being so stupid.

I expected fury in his gorgeous eyes. Instead, I saw admiration. Respect.

“You are… amazing, Marissa,” he said in his deep, throaty voice that sent another entirely different kind of chill down my spine. “But be very careful. You’re already a target.”

“No, I don’t think I am special. Did I just start a war?”

He laughed and suddenly, the man I’d met briefly was directly beside us. “Marissa. It wouldn’t matter if you had. You are family now and we watch out for our own.”

Family. Why would anyone think of me as family? I didn’t know them. I barely knew Kazimir. “Thank you and I’m sorry if I did the wrong thing.”

“No apology necessary,” Mikhail continued, making certain I could read his lips. “Popov and his son are pigs. They are from a different time.”

“You mean a different century where women are not seen as equals,” Kazimir added. “They actually think we’re going to pay the inflated interest.”

“He’ll expect it,” Mikhail said. I liked Kazimir’s brothers very much. They were powerful and strong, almost as handsome as Kazimir.

“Rurik truly believes a deal was made and not just for the hotel. Yes?” I asked both men. “Don’t sugarcoat it. They’re going to attempt to force me into this arranged marriage. Right?”

Mikhail looked at Kazimir.

“What he believes and what will happen are two entirely different things.” Kazimir was so certain, so strong when I felt as if I was ready to collapse. “No one is going to touch you.”

“He’s right, Marissa. Vladimir is not a stupid man. He knows better than to lay a finger on you now that he knows we’re involved.”

I didn’t need stronger senses given my hearing to know everyone in the room was worried. I took a deep breath and nodded while they chatted briefly about the loan. At this point, all of the information had become suffocating.

Walking away, I headed for the window overlooking the pool, missing Charlie more than I had the last few days. I noticed Kazimir’s reflection before I experienced the heavy tingle of electricity.

“Are you about ready to begin our date?” Kazimir asked, obviously trying to break my train of thought and growing fear. I finally realized why he’d been so insistent that I never fight him and his decisions. I hadn’t understood the reality behind his life and a world that I knew little about.

And in truth, it scared me to death.

“Yes, I’d love that,” I said, uncertain whether I could handle anything but curling up in a tight ball and crying myself to sleep.

“I’ll be right back. Why don’t you have a drink and relax.” He squeezed my arm and I took a deep breath, nodding as soon as he did.

He walked away, immediately surrounded by a group of men who all looked similar to him. Big, powerful, and dangerous.

Nadia approached, both hands holding drinks. She smiled as she handed me one. “You look like you could use this.”

“Yes. That obvious?” I immediately brought the glass to my lips, thankful I didn’t slosh wine all over myself.