Page 20 of Forbidden Boss

I breathe through the mounting panic and try to steady myself.

“And what does that mean for me?” I ask, a million scenarios running through my head.

“It means you’ll be protected,” he says. “Starting right now.”

I move to the couch and sit because my knees won’t support me anymore.

“By who?” I ask, though I know the answer.

“By me,” he says. “By my people. We have protocols in place for this exact situation.”

“This doesn’t sound like ‘no big deal,’” I say, glaring up at him. “You killed someone, and they’re threatening me. That’s a big fucking deal, Lev.”

I see Yuri shift just slightly in the corner, like he’s going to disarm me. Lev puts up a quick hand, and I realize exactly how much danger I’m in. Not just from this faceless enemy, but from Lev and his men.

“I solve problems,” he says simply. “This is a problem I can solve.”

I don’t want him to solve this problem for me. I want to run. I want to put as much distance between him and me as humanly possible. But once again, he’s got me trapped. He sent his men to bring me here. His car. There’s no way for me to leave without him giving the okay.

“I want to go home,” I say forcefully. “Or back to work. I don’t care, I just want to get the fuck out of here.”

“I’m afraid that isn’t an option,” he says with just as much force. “If you leave here, I can’t guarantee that whoever sent the picture won’t try to hurt you to get to me.”

“But I’m not your girlfriend,” I argue. “I’m your employee. We’ve had sex like a handful of times. This is ridiculous. I’m leaving.”

I stand up, but he gets in my face and forces me to sit back down again. He looks at Yuri, who simply nods and leaves the room, as if he’d been given a command. So this is how it works in his world. Whatever Lev wants, Lev gets.

“That isn’t going to happen,” he says to me. “You’re going to stay here, and that’s that.”

Anger burns inside me like nothing I’ve felt before, drowning out any fear or anxiety I have. Who the hell does he think he is? He’s going to find out exactly who I am before this is all over.

10

LEV

Istand there and watch her anger settle like armor. She perches on the edge of the sofa, hands braced on her knees. This morning made it clear how easily I could lose her. I am not going to let that happen.

“You’re moving in with me,” I tell her.

Her head snaps up, eyes blazing in the way I’ve come to expect. “No, the fuck, I’m not,” she seethes.

“That wasn’t a question, Mari,” I shoot back. “You’ve got a target on your back, and I won’t let anyone get that close to you again.”

She lets out a flat, humorless laugh. “That’s not happening,” she says. “I have an apartment. I have a lease. I have a life.”

“You won’t have a life if this asshole has his way,” I warn.

“So my options are get murdered or be your prisoner?”

“You aren’t a prisoner,” I say through clenched teeth, her petulance scraping at my control. “Most people would kill to live in a place like this. I have a private chef and a cleaner. You’llwant for nothing, and I’ll make sure you have everything you need.”

“We’re not even together!” she explodes. “You don’t care about me more than any other warm body in your bed. Let me go home and take my chances.”

I meet her gaze and hold it. She’s looking for something I don’t hand out. The instinct to soften rises, and I shove it down. Softness creates holes. Holes invite knives.

“This isn’t a debate,” I say. “It’s already in motion. I’m sending my men to your apartment to pack your things.”

“You’re out of your mind.” She stands. “I’m not a puppet. You can’t just take over my entire life.”