Page 6

Anya

I wake up to the sound of silence. The room is dark, the only light filtering in through the heavy drapes that shroud the floor-to-ceiling windows. For a moment, I'm disoriented, unsure where I am or how I got here. Then the memories of the previous night flood back: the opulent penthouse, the encounter with Pavel, the lingering taste of his kiss on my skin.

I sit up in bed, my gaze sweeping over the luxurious surroundings.

I lie flat on my back, eyes fixed on the ceiling, trying not to think about last night. But the memories keep coming, vivid and unwelcome. The way Pavel had watched me, the intensity in his gaze, the way he'd touched me... I shudder involuntarily, the phantom sensation of his hands on my skin still lingering.

I need to get a grip. Dwelling on what happened won't change anything. I have a mission, a purpose. I need to find out what happened to Vadim, and Pavel is the key.

I need a plan.

I stand up and walk over to the window, peering out at the cityscape below. The sun is just starting to rise, casting a golden glow over the buildings. It's a beautiful sight, but I barely register it. My mind is racing, and I am already formulating a strategy.

Pavel is a predator, a master manipulator. He knows what he's doing, and he played me like a fiddle.

I can probably make him believe that I'm falling for him, that I'm willing to do whatever he wants. And then, when he least expects it, I can strike.

I step into the shower, letting the warm water cascade over my body. The heat soothes my aching muscles, and the water washes away the sweat and grime of the night before.

As I stand under the spray, I close my eyes and imagine myself confronting Pavel about Dmitri. I see myself standing tall, my voice firm and unwavering. He is probably looking for information from me, but he didn’t say anything yet. That leads me to believe that he does not have a clear plan.

I see my brother’s smile and his kind eyes. The light that ignited his irises and reminded me of our childhood together. He always managed to keep me sane in the midst of the darkness.

“I will avenge you, brother.” My heart shrinks when I think of him, and a tear escapes my eye.

I walk out of the bathroom and take another one of Pavel’s shirts. The fucker is yet to offer me clothes of my own, but for now, I will make do. And though I hate to admit it, with the days that have passed, I have become accustomed to his scent surrounding me.

I take a shameless sniff of his shirt, and instantly, I am transported back to the bed last night. I picture the way his hand moved over his cock, slow and deliberate—how his jaw flexed, how he groaned like he was doing it for me like every stroke was a dare. How his tongue was filling my pussy.

The door creaks open.

“Slept well, zayka?” His voice is a low purr, laced with mockery and heat. “I thought we may spend the morning together.”

The amusement and mockery in his tone are evident.

I turn my head, meet his eyes, and glare. “Slept like a baby—had a dream of you. Excuse me, sorry—nightmare.”

“Funny.”

He moves to where I stand by the doorway of the closet slowly, deliberate in every step like he’s already decided what this morning will be. The top few buttons of his shirt are undone, revealing a glimpse of skin I shouldn’t be noticing. His sleeves are rolled up, forearms flexing as he runs a hand through his hair.

“What do you want now?” I snap, even though my voice comes out too tight. Too shaky.

“I want you to tell me what you found in Dmitri’s system. I need to know what you dug out about him.”

Wow. Right to business. I thought maybe he would try to schmooze me or, at least, feed me or eat me. I brush past him and make my way to the bed.

I flop back onto the mattress and roll my eyes. “What? No breakfast? Coffee?”

He sits beside me, and I immediately feel it—the heat, the tension, especially since I’m still in nothing but his shirt.

“Didn’t take you for a sentimental type,” he says, smirking as his eyes flick over me.

“Didn’t take you for the type to leave a girl with nothing else to wear and nothing to eat,” I fire back.

“You had a towel. And you seem quite comfortable in my clothes anyway.”

“Of course, you just want it so that I am half-naked moving around this damn room.”

A long-winded silence moves between us, and suddenly, I am plunged into this awkward moment where I want to press him on Dmitri.

“Get up,” Pavel says, his voice casual, like he’s asking me to water his plants. “You’re having breakfast with me.”

I blink. I am in shock, but I hold to my surprise. I don’t want to seem too eager.

He walks out of the room without much of a word, and I follow him. As soon as we enter the living room, I sigh like I have just been greeted by an incredible sight. The room is as opulent as the rest of the penthouse. The sofas are made of the finest leather, and the coffee table is made of glass and polished steel. The walls are adorned with paintings by modern artists, and the floors are covered in luxurious rugs.

But it's the view that takes my breath away. The floor-to-ceiling windows offer a panoramic view of the city, and the morning sun is streaming in, making everything look even more beautiful. Such a beautiful home—it’s a shame that it’s nothing more than a glorified cage.

Pavel is already sitting at the table, and he gestures for me to take a seat. A maid sets a tray of food in front of me, and I see that there are scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, and fresh fruit.

I make my way over to him cautiously. He may be holding out an olive branch, but I am not naive to think that this man is still not an apex predator.

“Bon Appetit, little rabbit.” He gestures to me to eat. “Have your fill.”

I take a bite of the toast, and it's the best I've ever tasted. The bread is soft and fluffy, and the butter is rich and creamy. The scrambled eggs are cooked to perfection, and the bacon is crispy and flavorful.

"This is amazing," I say against my better judgment. “Thank you.”

Pavel smiles, but it’s the kind that has a coldness to it. "I'm glad you like it."

We eat in silence for a few minutes, and then Pavel says, "I want to know what you found in Dmitri's system. Don’t bullshit me, please. I am not your enemy here.”

I take a deep breath. "I have breakfast in exchange for information. I must say that you have grown kinder.”

He sips on his coffee like it’s nothing. “Listen, Anya, as much as I have enjoyed our time together, I need for us to work together. I need you to tell me what you found in Dmitri’s system.”

I hesitate for a moment. “Tell me, why? Why do you need to know? I understand you two are connected somehow, but you seem a bit too eager to learn his dirty little secrets. Why?”

The words leave my lips far steadier than I feel. I watch his body language, trying to see if I can pick up on a tell, but he gives me…nothing. I hate that he is so good at hiding.

“Let’s say that we are old friends of sorts—and I use the term friend rather loosely.”

“Friends.” I ball my hand in my lap. “What kind of friends? You did business together? Did you hang out in college? What is it?”

“A lot of questions. I think it’s time you answer mine.” He sets his mug down and then looks me dead in the eye. “What did you find out about Dmitri? It must be bad, seeing as he is out there right now with a bounty on your head.”

“Bounty?” I gulped. “He knows where I am?”

“Not yet,” he leans back in his seat. “But that’s because I have hidden you away. Now start talking, Anya. Or shall I make you talk? How about we move past the pleasantries and just start fucking right here and now. I remember how you were begging for my cock yesterday.”

My cheeks heat up.

“Is sex the only thing you think about?”

“When it comes to you, yes,” his honesty catches me off guard. “But you are trying to side-track me, little rabbit. Tell me what it is you found.”

He could be one of them. My heart immediately seizes. If he knows about Dmitri, it means that he is interconnected with this world—the same world that I am trying to bring down. I go on high alert. My entire plan about wanting to get under his skin completely goes out the window, and I am thrust into survival mode. If I tell him what I know, he might kill me right here and right now. My mind gets out of control and I don’t know why I do what I do next.

My eyes dart around the open space to the door. Without even thinking it through too much, I grab the knife on the table and try to slash his arm. He jumps out of his chair and grabs my arm.

"Let me go," I say. "Let me go, asshole!!”

He looks up at me, his eyes full of hatred. "You're not going anywhere."

He reaches up and grabs my wrist. He twists it, and the knife falls from my hand. He then grabs my throat and starts to squeeze gently.

"Dear, zayka," he growls. "You're lucky I need you," he says. "You really thought that would work, didn’t you?”

I don’t answer.

“You tried to cut me with a knife,” he says like he’s impressed.

“You are friends with Dmitri, and any ally of his is an enemy of mine. If I tell you everything, what will happen to me? Huh? What are you offering me here?” I hiss, teeth bared.

“Good thing I’m not an ally—you should have clarified that before you went all Jackie Chan on me. You could have nicked an artery, little rabbit. Then where would we be?”

‘Hopefully, you would be dead.” I spit the words and get up from the floor. “You are one of them.”

He scoffs, “Hardly. I am nothing like Dmitri. You can hate me for many reasons, but never because I am anything like Dmitri. Half of this city hates me. You’re not the first one to try to cut me with a knife. Next time, use a gun, little rabbit.”

"I'm not afraid of you," I say. "I'm not afraid of any of you."

He laughs again, but this time it's different. It's not a cold, humorless sound. It's a genuine laugh, and it makes him look almost human.

"You're a brave one," he says. "I'll give you that. I love that, zayka. But you don’t have to be afraid of me.”

He reaches out and touches my cheek. His touch is gentle, and it sends a shiver down my spine. His mouth brushes the shell of my ear. “But thank you for giving me a reason to punish you later on.”

A shudder runs through me—rage and heat and adrenaline twisting together into something I don’t recognize. I grit my teeth and keep silent.

“Are you ready to be punished?”