Page 10 of Darkest Sin

“I am.” He steps closer to me. “Does that bother you?”

“You didn’t tell me this when we first met.”

“I know. I didn’t want to scare you.”

“So you’re ok with scaring me now?” I whisper.

“Am I scaring you?” Slowly, he reaches his hand out and cups my face. I inhale sharply.

“You shouldn’t touch me.”

“I’ll stop if you want me to stop.”

Do I want him to stop? I know I shouldn’t be doing this.

I also know that I have never felt more alive than standing in this man’s presence.

“I saw you dancing,” he says, not moving closer to me. His hand stays steady on my face. “I had never seen anything more beautiful than you dancing. I knew in that moment I had to make you mine.”

I gasp. “What? Did my father…”

“Your father and I never discussed marriage with any of his daughters. He wasn’t ready to lose any of you yet. But he’s gone now.”

“Don’t be mean.”

“I’m not trying to be. I’m just stating a fact. He’s gone. And your uncle is going to marry you off to a man who likes to rape women. I know Antoni Ivanov’s reputation.”

I shudder. That speaks to what my mom said about Antoni putting his hand on her leg without her permission. “And you?”

“I don’t rape women. Have no desire to. I’m not some scared, insecure fucker.”

My face flushes. No one has ever spoken to me like this before.

“I am going to make you mine, Natalya.”

“What if I don’t want that?”

“Then you can marry Antoni. Your uncle will make you.”

“So, it’s either you or him? Is that what you’re saying?”

“I don’t want to force you to marry me. But if it means saving you from that fucker, I will do what I have to.”

“How is that any better than rape?” I ask.

He smiles and drops his hand. “Because I will never touch you unless you want me to. But I will make you mine. I knew the moment I first saw you dance. I have power. I can save you from the mess your uncle is going to put you in. Think on it.” His eyes search my face. “You are beautiful. Has anyone ever told you that?”

“My dad. People at the ballet.”

“A man like me ever told you that?”

I swallow hard. “No.”

“I want you, Natalya. Men in my world take. Do you want to be taken by a known rapist? Or do you want to be taken by a man who thinks you’re the most beautiful dancer he’s ever seen?”

He leaves the bathroom before I can give an answer. I’m stunned. Mikhail. That’s his name. He knew my father. Might have worked alongside him. I have more questions than I do answers.

But one thing is certain: he is dangerous.