Page 3

I stand in the smoky club, watching the lights play over her body as she moves to the music, looking carefree and happy, as though she thinks she owns the world. Smiling, dancing, having the most amazing time on daddy’s money.

I was very surprised to find her here without any bodyguards, and I have been vigilant in keeping an eye out for them.

My eyes lock on her again as she leaves the dance floor and weaves her way through the crowd towards the bar. I hate the fact that she is so beautiful. This is the first time I am seeing her in real life, and it is grating at my nerves.

She probably uses that beauty to manipulate her way through life. Using people and taking advantage of them so that she and her father can live in luxury.

She makes me sick. Danil and his daughter live this pampered, spoiled life while other people have to carry the burdens of Danil’s evil deeds.

Sasha starts to search the club, her eyes darting across the space, obviously looking for someone, and when her eyes lock with mine I feel heat spread through my body.

Shit. She is gorgeous.

A slight grin touches her lips and I find myself grinning back.

I hadn’t planned on approaching her tonight, but she is making it too easy.

I push away from the table I was leaning on and start moving towards her. I don’t take my eyes off her—partly because she is beautiful to look at, and partly because now I have her in my sights. I don’t want to lose this opportunity.

“Where are your friends?” I ask as I look down at her, leaning against the bar counter. We are standing very close, our bodies almost touching. The heat between us is intense and I find I can’t stop staring at her plump pink lips.

“Sometimes it’s nice to go out without any friends.” She smiles softly and shrugs.

“Alone? A girl like you should definitely not be alone.”

“We are born alone, and we die alone, so I don’t see any harm in dancing alone.” Her voice is melancholy, her tone gentle.

I reach out and touch her waist, leaning close to her ear. “If you were mine, I wouldn’t ever leave you alone.”

She giggles softly, and her cheeks flush pink.

She’s very good at playing demure.

An expert manipulator.

“Where are your friends?” she asks.

“I came here looking for someone special.”

“Oh. Who?” she asks, sounding curious, her bright green eyes glittering in the lights.

“I’ve found her,” I say, looking straight into her eyes.

She laughs nervously. “I don’t know about calling me special. You might have the wrong girl. ” She bites her lower lip, and it sends a thrill through my body.

“Can I get you a drink?”

“Um. Just a water, please,” she looks hesitant about having a drink with me. Perhaps, rightfully cautious of drinking with a stranger.

“Nonsense. Let’s have a tequila.” I wave the barman over to where we are standing.

“I—I don’t usually drink. I just come here to dance a little.”

“Well, you can have one tequila with me. It isn’t going to do any harm. Besides, I wouldn’t mind getting to know you a little more.”

“Oh,” she giggles.

“So, why do you come here alone to dance?”

“It helps me get away from everything. It’s sort of the only time I have to—um—to escape life.”

“What life are you trying to escape? You look like the type of girl who has everything.”

“Looks can be deceiving.” She shrugs and picks up the tequila.

I can’t help but notice the hint of pain behind her glittering eyes, the hesitation behind her smile, the way she seems to be carrying a burden. I grin and throw back the tequila, then laugh at the face she pulls.

“I will never get used to that,” she chuckles.

Why would Sasha Balakin look troubled or weighed down by anything? She literally has everything handed to her on a silver platter. Daddy’s little angel. Spoiled, rich, pampered princess.

I roll my shoulders back.

“Come dance with me,” I say, wrapping my hand around her waist and pulling her towards the dance floor.

She smiles nervously but lets me lead her.

I pull her tight against my body as we move against each other.

The thrill of having the most gorgeous girl I have ever seen so close to me is doing things to me that I didn’t anticipate.

The music thrums as our bodies move. Her tight-fitting dress feels silky beneath my touch and her long legs are moving between mine.

I let my hand glide lower down her back, resting just over the curve above her ass. Applying a little pressure, I press her harder against me and lean forward to breathe in her delicious scent.

She wraps her warm arms around my neck and tilts her head back. Our eyes lock again, and electricity shoots through me.

An image flashes through my mind in which I lean forward and press my lips against hers.

My heart thunders.

I quickly push the thought away.

I know who she really is and how she lives her life, benefiting from her father’s sins.

I can’t be attracted to such evil.

But I need to at least let her think that I am.

I clench my jaw as I fight the fine line I’m toeing, realizing how easy it is to fake wanting her because it isn’t fake at all.

It’s just shallow, physical bullshit. That’s all.

Tonight is the night that my plan is going to take root. Tonight is where it all begins. I can’t be distracted by her. She is a temptress. She won’t distract me from what I want to achieve.

I run my hand up her spine and around the back of her head, tilting her head to the side so that I can talk against her ear to be heard over the music.

“Come with me to my VIP room in the back. We can get another drink and get to know each other better.”

I look into her eyes, and she bites her lower lip and then finally she nods.

I take her hand and pull her behind me as I weave my way through the crowd, off the dance floor, and towards the VIP section.

We enter a long passage, lit by red lights. I move her so that she is walking in front of me, but when her body brushes against mine, before I realize what I am doing, I have her pinned against the wall.

The red glow lights her skin seductively.

She gasps softly as I push her against the wall.

I wrap my hand around her chin and lift her face towards mine.

Then my mouth is pressed over hers, and I can taste her sweetness.

My body burns wildly with hers pressed against me. Her hands run over my rib cage and heat sparks beneath her touch. I press my hips against her and kiss deeper.

What am I doing?

This is not what I am supposed to be doing.

I step back, grinning down at her.

She giggles and scrunches her nose as though she feels shy about kissing me.

My eyes narrow towards her. She looks away from me, and if it weren’t for this red lighting, I would swear her cheeks were flushed with embarrassment.

Why would one kiss make this girl who is so boldly arrogant, posh and spoiled giggle?

I bet she has hundreds of men falling at her feet.

Even though that is not the impression she is giving off right now.

I step back and take her hand again, studying her features and delicate, classical beauty.

I turn to lead her further down the passage, towards the back of the club and where the VIP rooms are.

Her innocent smile and nervous laugh make me think of my sister.

My sister is the reason I am here. My sister, my mother and my father.

Their bodies. Torn and tortured. Covered in blood. The pain in their expressions. Even in death, they did not find relief until I burned it all away.

That is what I need to remember.

I step through the back doors and the red lighting fades to soft pink.

“Come on, I’ll have them bring us a bottle of champagne. Do you have a favorite?”

“Actually, I’m not a huge fan of champagne,” she says nervously. “I mean, I don’t mind. If you prefer champagne, I’ll also have some. Sorry, champagne would be great.”

I chuckle. “If you don’t like champagne, we don’t have to get that—what would you prefer?”

“Anything you like.” She takes a nervous breath.

I wrap my hand around her face and lean down to kiss her again. Brief, soft, warm and enticing. Her lips brush over mine.

“Tell me what you like,” I whisper against her mouth as wildfires run through my blood again.

“I like gin?” she answers, as though it’s a question more than her opinion.

“Alright, gin it is.” I lead her towards our private booth in the VIP section, guiding her to sit down. “I’ll be right back. I’ll just get those drinks for us.”

I know I could easily order something from the waiter, but I need to be more stealthy about what I am about to do.

When our gins are ready, I tilt the blue liquid from the vial in my hand into her drink. I swirl it a few times to make sure she won’t be able to taste anything.

“Here you go.”

I slide into the seat next to her. I sip my gin as I lean back, draping my arm over the back of the long sofa.

She takes the gin from me and I watch as she sips it.

“Oh, actually, just give me a second. I need to run to the men’s room. I won’t be long.”

I stand up, walking away, around the corner and out of sight. Except I’m watching her in the mirror.

She looks nervous.

She stares down at her drink, then shakes her head, grins and downs the entire thing. Could I have asked for anything better than that. I guess she was trying to settle her nerves, but she is in for a surprise.

I wait a bit longer, glancing at my watch, taking note of the time and knowing it won’t be long before the effects start to kick in.

When I’m ready, I head back to the table, sliding into my seat and picking up my own drink.

“You’re finished with your drink? Can I tell them to bring you another one?”

“Not right now.” She smiles.

“Let me know when you’re ready, and I’ll get one for you.”

She nods and blinks a few times. It’s probably starting to feel a little weird for her, as the drugs should be moving through her system soon.

“So, what do you do when you aren’t dancing alone at a club?” I ask, continuing our conversation as casually as possible.

“I enjoy reading.”

“And shopping, I’m guessing.”

“Shopping?” she says, her words slurring at the edges.

“Yes, a girl like you. I bet you shop all the time.” I know she does. Spending all her father’s money. Luxurious overpriced items that come with a cost she doesn’t care about.

“I don’t—I just—I feel dizzy.” Her eyes are glazing over as she tries desperately to blink the feeling away.

“It’s okay, Sasha. Don’t fight it,” I say darkly.

“I didn’t—tell—you my—name.” Her breathing becomes heavy as she tries to fight the inevitable. Her body starts to relax, and she slides deeper into the seat. I pull her against me.

“Just let it happen,” I whisper against her ear.

“Who…?” her words drift away she closes her eyes and slumps against me.