Page 29 of Hunt Me (Dmitriyev Bratva #1)

B ristol

Mikhail Dmitriyev was even more impressive and formidable than before.

Perhaps because he sat casually in the plush chair by the bed, studying me with a smile on his face.

Wearing dark trousers and a white shirt similar to the first time I’d met him, the difference was he was without a jacket, his sleeves rolled up past his elbows.

He’d loosened his tie, unfastening several buttons on his shirt, and exposed a forbidden hint of his muscular chest. Even in the shadows, he was far too attractive.

The thought annoyed me.

No matter what he might lead me to believe, he wasn’t some innocent man who’d simply lost an employee to a horrible crime.

“What… How did you…” Unable to finish the sentence, I swallowed hard, trying to think about an escape route. Just with what I’d heard on the news report, I knew the man was capable of anything.

He chuckled in response, tipping his head to the side as he studied me. With his one leg crossed over the other, he had an elbow on the arm of the chair, allowing him to rub the tip of his index finger back and forth across his full lips.

“You followed me or had me followed,” I hissed, anger furrowing just beneath the surface. I hiked up the towel, refusing to give him the satisfaction of knowing I was terrified.

I dared to lock eyes with his, the bathroom light creating a slight glow over every inch of his incredible body.

The television remote remained in his hand, and I could swear I was able to notice a glint of steel from a weapon.

He’d also snagged my phone, placing it on the nightstand near him and several yards away from me.

There’d be no calling for help and Josie’s closest neighbor might not hear me scream given the thick concrete walls. What the hell was he doing here?

I’d been right. He’d quickly learned someone had been at the murder scene. As soon as he’d heard there was a witness, he’d become determined to find them. How had I been found? Fuck.

I was able to see the curve of his angular jaw, his voluptuous lips and his long fingers. He was gorgeous, dangerous, and tonight he appeared like a true threat.

“If you’re asking how I discovered who you are and where I could find you, I assure you that I have extensive connections in several cities. Plus, you were my sister’s bridesmaid. You take a lovely picture, Bristol.”

His sister.

Lilia. How much did she know about her brother’s dangerous persona and why hadn’t she told me? No, why hadn’t she warned me to stay away from him? Had she not noticed us together the night of her wedding? What was I saying? She’d been too googly-eyed over her husband. And to think I’d been jealous.

“That doesn’t give you the right to break in.”

He laughed. “It gives me every right. You certainly weren’t interested in providing the truth about your identity.”

“And why the hell is that? Because you’re a gangster.” Heat flushed my system, the distinctive throb deep within my core pissing me off. He was obviously a monster. How could I still be attracted to him?

“A gangster. I haven’t been called that in years. You seem confused as to why I’m here,” he said in his dark tone, allowing his eyes to sweep over me.

“I’m only confused as to how a talented, intelligent woman could have a monster as a brother.”

He seemed amused, both corners of his upper lip curling in a smile.

“Both my sisters are protected within my world. They chose not to be a part of the family business. However, it would appear you’ve been talking with someone about the Dmitriyev family and our less than scrupulous reputation.

I’m curious who. Although I have my thoughts.

You were my sister’s roommate in college. ”

He’d already researched my life and my past. “So what?”

“So, did you try and manipulate Lilia into telling you trade secrets?”

“Are you crazy? She was and still is my friend. We studied together. We laughed together. Other than the fact she had a twenty-four/seven bodyguard, she was just another student.”

His laugh was sardonic. “And you weren’t curious as to why?”

“Oh, please. There were a half dozen rich kids with bodyguards.” I was winging it, although the idea seemed plausible. I couldn’t provide him with any ammunition to hurt me. Would he?

Snorting, I folded my arms across my chest, shivering, the realization that even if I screamed, no one would be able to hear me creating a wave of terror. I had to allow him to think I was no danger to him.

“Very true, Bristol, but you’re no fool.” He narrowed his eyes, watching me. Studying me.

My skin was beginning to crawl.

“Maybe I am since I became tangled with you,” I threw back, instantly regretting it. Irritating him wasn’t in my best interest. “I saw your interview on television. You were threatening.”

“Was I?”

“You’re dangerous.”

He shifted in his seat. “Yes, I am.”

“What are you doing here? Why hunt me down?” I had to buy some time. I needed to get my phone.

“I think you know that answer, Bristol. I’m curious if you are experiencing a guilty conscience.”

“For what?” My legs were trembling.

“For crouching over the body of a very good friend of mine. For having your long, lovely fingers wrapped around the murder weapon.”

Oh. My. God.

A single bead of perspiration formed just above one eye.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

When he took a deep breath, his eyes became more penetrating.

“I can handle many things, many foibles of human nature, Bristol, but one thing I can’t handle is lying.

You were seen at the home of Sergio Pavel.

Don’t bother denying you were there. You either went there to seduce or kill him. Perhaps both.”

“That’s not true. I’m not that kind of girl.” My skin began to crawl. What was he planning on doing with me?

The air between us crackled with electricity just like it had a few nights before. Yet it was supercharged, leaving me close to suffocation.

His sigh was heavy, full of disbelief.

I took a step away, mentally going through the number of steps I’d need to take before racing through the back door, which was closest.

“Then what kind of girl are you?” His question created another trickle of fear.

“The kind of woman who senses when a man is threatening her.”

“At this point, I’m doing no such thing. We’re simply having a nice discussion.”

Leaning forward, Mikhail placed the remote on the bedside table before rising to his feet, his actions forcing a whimper to escape my mouth. I hated that I was afraid of the man.

“I have nothing to talk to you about. Now, get out.”

His laugh was as electrifying as it was disturbing. I inched backward toward the door and he wagged his finger. “I suggest you don’t attempt to escape. That won’t bode well for our relationship.”

“We don’t have a relationship.” I calculated the odds of being able to get downstairs and out the door before he reached me. They were not in my favor. Yet I had to try. Before I had a chance to bolt, his deep voice penetrated every cell.

“You’ve been a very bad girl, Bristol, but you already know that, don’t you?” He crossed the room within seconds, gripping both my wrists and dragging me against the heat of his body. He was so strong and tall, his chiseled cheekbones and high forehead only adding to his dangerous appearance.

“No. No! Let go of me.”

“Hmmm… Not until I’m finished with you. What you might not have realized, sweet, precious Bristol, is that no one crosses either me or my family without paying a significant price.

Now, all you need to do is to tell me the truth about what happened in Sergio’s home.

If you do, then we can consider this chapter closed. ”

This chapter. Why did I have a terrible feeling he thought I’d been hired by my father to spy on him? Because in a way, that could be true.

“I didn’t see anything, Mikhail.”

“But you admit you were there.” He cocked his head, his eyes narrowing.

“I was.” There was no point in lying to him, at least not about where I was. Within a phone call, he could figure it out. Then he might kill me.

“If you lie, I’ll know. There is no reason for you to hide the truth. It would seem that you had nothing to do with Sergio’s death, but from all appearances, you were the only one at the scene.”

“I…”

Inhaling, he tilted his head back and forth, his eyes sparkling in the dim lighting.

My God, the scent of him was full of exotic spices and cedar wood, the fragrance entirely too intoxicating.

I was thrown by the haze forming around my eyes as I was forced to stare into his.

The same frigid cold, soulless cavern that I’d seen on television peered back at me, but this time, his gaze was filled with something else.

Burning desire.

I struggled in his hold and in doing so, the towel slipped from around my chest, sliding ever so slowly to the floor. Mortified, heat rose across my jaw.

He took a deep breath, his nostrils flaring, and the look of lust intensified.

“Talk to me, Bristol. Did you kill Sergio?”

“No!”

“But you saw something. Didn’t you?”

“Like I said, it was dark, Mikhail. I didn’t see anything. I was there to deliver a goddamn pizza.”

He chuckled. “Some truth, but not enough. Keep talking or you will be punished.”

“You’re not going to bully me. You stand in your expensive clothes and hide behind your mask of legitimacy while engaging in illegal activities, so you’re not allowed to judge me.”

“Quite the contrary. I am a legitimate businessman, but you’ll soon learn I’m ruthless, refusing to accept apologies or excuses.

At minimum, you were at the scene of a crime, yet you didn’t stay where you were until the police arrived.

You fled the scene, merely calling in the tragedy.

What were you afraid of, Bristol? That I’d find out? ”

“I was shocked, Mikhail, when I noticed a dead man lying on the floor. Certainly, even someone like you could realize sticking around wasn’t in my best interest.”