Page 136 of Red Fury

“He’s still holding us here against our will.”

“Is he, though? Is he really? You just said we could break out of here if need be.”

“He is keeping us here, Shadow. Those guards out there are all armed to the gills and with dart guns to bring us down. We—”

The door opens. Neilina returns with an armful of clothes and that same bright smile.

“Good news!” she announces. “The master will see you both in the living room. That’s if you’re up to it, Shadow?” She asks, looking at me.

“I’ll need to take a quick shower, but…yes…I’ll be fine. The sooner we meet with Kozlov…the real Roman Kozlov, the sooner we can leave.”

At least, I hope so.

I hope I’m right about not being prisoners here.

Fury and I exchange a look. Whatever game Roman is playing, it’s time to find out the rules.

42

Fury

It’s not like that between us.

Shadow’s words to the vampire female keep running through my head over and over as I wait for Shadow to come out of the bathroom. Each repetition feels like a knife in my gut, even though I know I have no right to feel this way.

I should be thinking about my upcoming meeting with Roman Kozlov and not replaying those words. What did I expect Shadow to say? After all is said and done, Shadow is still aDraiger, and I’m a Red. Nothing has changed. I might have feelings for her, but it doesn’t matter. There are more important things right now.

The bathroom door opens, and Shadow walks out looking fucking beautiful in a summer dress that brings out the color of her eyes. I’ve mainly seen her in jeans or workwear. For a moment, I forget how to breathe. I forget everything.

My dragon twists and growls inside me, wanting me to claim her, to mark her, to make sure every male within a hundred-mile radius knows she’s mine. But she’s not mine.

She walks toward me, and I note the angry red marks on her neck surrounded by dark bruising that’s only just starting to fade. Kozlov’s brother did a number on Shadow.

A growl rumbles low in my chest before I can stop it. I still want to kill Ivan. The bastard is lucky his brother showed up when he did.

Shadow notices my stare and touches her neck self-consciously. “It looks worse than it feels,” she says softly. “I’m fine, Fury. Really. I’m feeling so much stronger already.”

“Good,” I manage. “If you’re ready, we should get this over with.”

She nods, and we leave the bedroom together. Several guards are waiting in the hallway, and they escort us through the lavish penthouse to the living room, where Roman Kozlov is waiting.

He looks like he’s showered and changed since our last encounter. He’s wearing another suit. This time it’s charcoal gray. His dark hair is slicked back. I’m shocked at how much the brothers look alike. I think if they were standing side by side, I wouldn’t be able to tell them apart. It’s freaky.

He glances up as we enter.

“Ostav’te nas,” he tells the guards, and they nod and leave.

“Please,” he says, gesturing to the plush seating area. “Take a seat. You are my guests, not my prisoners.”

I don’t believe the male and choose to stay standing. My dragon is too close to the surface, too agitated by everything that’s happened.

“Would either of you care for a drink?” Kozlov asks politely, as if we’re here for a social visit instead of whatever the hell this actually is.

“I want to know what’s going on,” I say bluntly, crossing my arms over my chest. “Where is Ivan Kozlov?”

“I’ll have a juice, please,” Shadow says, shooting me a look. “Let’s sit and… Let’s just sit, please.”

Against my better judgment, I reluctantly lower myself into the chair beside her. But I perch on the edge.