Page 30

I furrowed my brows, feeling an aching knot weigh down the center of my head.

A rough sigh fell from my lips, squeezing my eyes shut before attempting to blink them open.

I hummed weakly as my burning eyes adjusted to the brightness of the room around me, registering the softness of a mattress under me.

My brows naturally furrowed as my surroundings slowly started to filter in.

A bedroom.

I'm in a small bedroom.

I glanced down to the bed, immediately noticing that I wasn't restrained in any sort of way.

Which naturally confused me.

I tugged the covers off of me, processing more of the room as I sat up from the bed.

Until a groan unconsciously fell from my lips, squeezing my eyes shut when an ache split down my head.

"Blyat," I gritted, sitting still for one long moment before finally blinking my eyes open again.

And this time I noticed smaller details of the room.

Like the small circular windows.

Or the clouds passing by them.

I'm on a plane?

A private plane to be specific.

I hesitantly stood from the bed, glancing down to my outfit that I still wore from earlier.

Or yesterday?

It's daylight now, so I assume it's the next day.

I glanced away from my outfit, trying to pinpoint where my jacket is.

I need my knife.

But I'm assuming whoever is on this plane with me, knows that.

Which is why it's nowhere to be fucking found.

I drew in a tight breath, suddenly glancing around again for any heavy or sharp objects I could use against someone.

Until the door knob twisted open, causing my eyes to immediately dart over to it.

I felt my body stiffen in response, already lifting my hands to fight whoever dared to fucking come in.

It was only half a second before the door slowly opened—but I swear it felt like fucking eternity, anticipating who it could be.

I scoffed at the sight of her, taking in her gelled-back hair and bare face.

She didn't wear her leather jacket, only a black tank top and dress pants with loafers.

"I kill you," I breathed out, immediately approaching her as my face burned worse and worse with anger, "I fucking kill you Sevan!" I nearly yelled, immediately lifting my hands to push her.

But Sevan quickly grabbed them in mid-air, "Zinovia," she said, tugging me into her—

For a kiss.

I pulled back before her lips barely had a chance to graze mine, causing her hands to immediately grip my waist in place.

So I started hitting her shoulders, tugging and pulling against her hold.

Sevan only leaned down to my neck in response, trailing kisses up my exposed skin as she pressed me back against the nearest wall.

"Calm down baby," she murmured against my skin, squeezing my waist as I continued hitting her.

But my hits slowly trailed off, my heavy irritated breaths growing softer and softer.

Until I was huffing like a child, remaining still for her lips that now traced my jawline.

"I am very fucking mad at you," I gritted, purposely growing limp in her arms.

Which immediately made her pull away from my neck, kneading my hips as she analyzed my face.

"It was necessary baby," Sevan said, her voice soft with me as she leaned down closer to my face.

I childishly rolled my eyes, "I would fight you to get on this plane, but I would come if it's necessary," I said, actually feeling fucking irritated by how she played all of this.

Sevan hummed, leaning down to briefly peck my pouted lips, "I know, Zinovia," she murmured, eyeing my lips for a moment before she glanced up to meet my stare, "But they're watching us, so you couldn't willingly come on this plane."

I still didn't bother to meet her eyes, staring past her face at the wall.

"My men will hear about my kidnapping," I mumbled, pressing my hands against her stomach to push her away.

Sevan didn't budge.

"They're aware of your leave—just not the details," Sevan explained, her dark eyes still burning so prominently into my face.

I lazily raised my brows, "And what are the details?" I asked, finally meeting her dark eyes again.

"I want you in Colombia with me," Sevan said, pulling me closer to her warm body by my waist.

I crossed my arms over my chest, staring up at her with a narrowed look.

And for once I didn't say anything.

I was mad, da—but I was also still processing the fact that I wasn't actually kidnapped.

And I get that the Executioners watch Sevan, but if she wanted me here, I could've snuck on in a different way.

I think.

"Come on," Sevan suddenly said, still analyzing my face as she leaned back from me, "You need food and water."

I still remained silent, waiting for her to lean away from me before I walked past her.

For once I wasn't mad, but more upset.

Which made me feel like a fucking girl, and I hated it.

So I refused to speak one word to her, especially about my "feelings".

Disgusting.

I ate my food in silence, drinking as much water as I could to replenish the strength I had previously lost.

Until I felt somewhat satisfied, checking my phone as I took into account the time change.

It was late afternoon in Colombia, not morning.

It was also really fucking hot, especially with the long-sleeve shirt and jeans that I still wore.

Sevan better have fucking clothes for me since she kidnapped me before I could pack anything.

"I'll be down the hall," Sevan said as we stood in the guest bedroom.

It was one of the few words she had spoken, immediately noticing my directed silence earlier.

"Unless you want to be down the hall with me," Sevan added, clearly offering to share a room with me.

I immediately shook my head no, facing away from her to go open the closet.

Which already had clothes on hangers—all my size and style.

"Be ready by six, we're going out," Sevan said, finally backing out of the room to leave me alone.

I let out the deepest sigh of my fucking life, rolling my eyes as I turned away from the open closet.

But only to walk over to the bed, deciding I would take a nap with the time I did have.

Especially since there was a little over three hours until six.

???????

Later that evening, I woke up around five—without an alarm that I purposely didn't set.

I'm not on her time.

She's on mine.

I kept my outfit simple—a black dress with stockings and heels.

I took the extra time to curl my hair and then do my makeup with the numerous products sat out for me on the sink.

The amount of things was unnecessary, but I assume Sevan had someone grab every fucking thing I could possibly need.

I annoyingly discovered a new lipliner that I like.

But that's besides the point.

By the time six-thirty rolled around I was spraying myself in perfume and exiting the guest bedroom to head downstairs.

Where Sevan stood in the foyer by the front door, wearing her usual black dress pants and matching blazer vest with loafers.

Her muscular arms covered in sparse tattoos were on total display, keeping her hair gelled back out of her face to emphasize the diamond cuffs in her ears.

"Yeah, we'll finish this later," Sevan said as she held her phone to her ear, eyeing my body as I walked down the stairs.

I only remained silent, watching as she immediately ended her call and slipped her phone into her pocket.

"I hate it here," I said, eyeing her distastefully.

Sevan only hummed in response, reaching for my waist as soon as I was close enough to her, "The warm weather grows on you," she said, running her hands up my back.

Her touch was gentle enough to make me shiver, entirely unaccustomed to it.

"I hate more than warm weather, Sevan," I mumbled, remaining still even as she leaned down to briefly kiss my lips.

"Tell me about it over dinner," she murmured, briefly kissing my lips again.

Until she suddenly gripped my waist in place, staring so deeply into my eyes for a moment before she said—

"Kiss me back."

I felt my jaw naturally clench, hating that I found her words attractive.

"Nyet," I said, eyeing her sharp face as she closed the gap between us again.

But only to graze her lips against mine.

"Now, Zinovia," she had the nerve to demand me, tugging me firmly into her by my waist.

Which forced my body to immediately press against hers.

I rolled my eyes, "You drug and kidnap me to the worst place," I pointed out, still feeling beyond bothered by her fucking actions.

"Let me make it up to you baby," Sevan said, holding my stare so precisely as she continued to graze her lips against mine.

I felt my jaw tighten, "I'm not interested," I said, purposely glancing away from her.

Sevan smirked slightly, "One night, Zinovia," she murmured, subtly sliding her hands down to grip my ass.

I drew in a visible breath, glancing back over to meet her dark eyes—which stared at me with nothing but anticipation.

Until I finally let out a rough sigh, "Fine," I mumbled reluctantly.

Sevan immediately nodded, closing the gap between our faces for a kiss.

Which I immediately reciprocated, finally relaxing in her arms as she deepened the kiss.

I hummed when she gently sucked down on my bottom lip, contrasting everything she could possibly stand for.

And as I slid my tongue past her lips, she gripped me even closer to her by my ass, naturally pressing me against the nearest wall.

The kiss was slow for once—almost making me crave more of her lips before we pulled away.

But I quickly pushed the desire away, pulling back from her almost breathlessly.

"That's all you get," I mumbled even if I wanted so much fucking more.

Sevan let out a deep breath, eyeing my lips that she suddenly brought her hand up to—wiping the stray lipgloss away.

"Dinner," Sevan murmured, earning a nod from me as I continued trying to maintain my composure.

Because suddenly there's this knot forming in my lower stomach.

But I know this is all still a game to her.

She wants me to want more than a kiss.

And I'll never be admitting that aloud.

I raised a brow as soon as we made it out of the house, walking down the familiar front steps toward the black Porsche that glistened under the glowy sunset.

But what surprised me was the fact that there was no driver.

Sevan's... driving us?

"Everything good?" Sevan asked, noticing my walking that slowly trailed off.

I halted in place completely, "You drive us?" I clarified, eyeing the car she unlocked.

Sevan smiled, almost in amusement, "Yes, Zinovia, I drive us," she mocked my words back to me.

I blinked a few times, still silently eyeing the car that she stood beside.

"You don't drive?" Sevan asked me, immediately raising a brow when I shook my head no, "You've never learned how to drive, Zinovia?" she clarified almost taken aback by the new information.

I rolled my eyes, "Nyet, Sevan," I mumbled, finding her reaction to be offensive.

I suddenly glanced down when Sevan grabbed my hand, pulling me along by her side.

"That's not going to work," Sevan said as we stopped by the driver's side, opening the car door.

I furrowed my brows, watching as she slid into the seat—

And then motioned me to sit on her lap?

"Fuck no," I said, my words as blunt and articulated as ever.

Which of course fucking amused Sevan.

"You'll only be steering, Zinovia," Sevan tried to convince me, but I didn't move an inch, "I'll be with you the entire time."

I shook my head again, "Nyet," I repeated my decision much more firmly.

I don't even need to know how to drive, so this is all just a waste of my time and energy.

"Are you scared baby?" Sevan had the nerve to ask me.

Which naturally made my expression harden in offense.

"Never," I said, narrowing my eyes at her as I awkwardly shifted on my legs.

Sevan only hummed as her dark eyes trailed my face, "Sure," she said almost with insinuation.

I rolled my eyes, "I see what you're fucking doing, Sevan," I said, knowing she was only trying to challenge my ego.

Sevan only shrugged, "Just making an observation," she said, naturally fueling my irritation even more.

Until finally I let out a childish huff, leaning down to slide into the car onto her lap.

Sevan immediately grabbed my waist as I settled on her lap—meanwhile, I was processing the view I had from behind the wheel.

Which was very... odd.

I hesitantly lifted my hands up to hold the wheel, where one of Sevan's hands met mine.

Another odd view.

Our hands together.

"I'll be here to help you steer," Sevan said as she reached over to close the car door, starting the car with her free hand.

I nodded silently, unable to string words together.

"I got you," Sevan murmured close to my ear, her breath warm against my neck.

Meanwhile, her other hand remained firmly on my waist, keeping me pressed against her.

I rolled my eyes, though my hands gripped the wheel tighter at her presence so close to me, "I swear if you crash us—"

"Relax, baby. Just trust me," she smoothly interrupted me, her fingers guiding mine along the steering wheel, "Now, put your foot on the brake."

I inhaled sharply, focusing on the pedals below, but I wasn't sure which one was a brake.

Sevan's hand immediately slid lower over my exposed thigh, pressing down to guide my foot onto the left petal as if she sensed my confusion.

Her soft touch sent a frustrating shiver through me, clenching my jaw to keep my expression neutral.

"Are you always this much of a control freak?" I suddenly asked, though my voice came out a little more breathless than I intended.

"Only when I have something worth controlling," Sevan responded, her tone laced with an infuriating amount of cockiness.

I could practically hear the smirk in her voice.

I glared at the dashboard, knowing that looking at her would only make me more irritated—and distracted.

"Now, shift the gear into drive," Sevan suddenly instructed, her hand never leaving mine as we moved the gearstick together.

Her touch was firm but not forceful, and I could feel her muscles tensing beneath me as she adjusted to my movements.

I let out a sharp exhale, focusing on the road ahead as the engine hummed louder, "If I crash this car, it's on you," I warned her.

Sevan only chuckled softly, "I'd never let you crash," she said.

I clenched my jaw, refusing to acknowledge the warmth in my chest, "You would," I gritted through tight teeth, "And you would enjoy every fucking second too."

Sevan's hand gently squeezed my waist, almost teasingly, "Every second," she murmured almost purposefully.

I pressed harder on the brake, just to spite her, which immediately made me grunt as the car sharply jerked.

But Sevan didn't lose her grip, somehow holding me steady in place.

Her breath was a constant presence against my neck as she guided me, and I could feel the tension in her body, an unspoken anticipation between us.

"Turn the wheel, Zinovia," Sevan instructed, her voice softer now, not even bothering to be irritated by my previous actions.

And somehow, I managed to turn the wheel, feeling the car shift as we moved slowly down the long driveway.

The motion felt awkward, clumsy even, but I refused to show it.

Instead, I focused on the road ahead—determined to ignore every inch of her that pressed against my back.

"You're doing it, baby," she said, her voice annoyingly proud, which made my face burn up.

A feeling I had never encountered before.

I gritted my teeth, but the words slipped out before I could stop them, "I'm doing it," I whispered almost hesitantly.

Sevan paused for a moment, and I could feel the shift in her mood.

How her hold on me softened slightly.

"I knew you could," Sevan said, her voice so softened in my ear, "My stubborn little Russian."

I immediately rolled my eyes, "Zatkniss," I muttered the word shut up in Russian, even as a reluctant smirk tugged at my lips.

And for a brief moment, it felt like we were playing a different game—one that didn't involve knives or constant threats.

But I knew better than to let my guard down around her.

Even as she continued to help me steer the car, pressing the gas more firmly as we drove through the Colombian countryside.

Until eventually, she slowed down and guided my hands on the steering wheel to pull the car over.

And once she helped me out and walked me around to the passenger side, she finished driving us the rest of the way into the busy city that had these really small and narrow roads.

And soon we were parked on the side of the street—where she walked us to a small restaurant hidden between the colorful streets of Colombia.

It was a cozy place, tucked away from the busy streets, with a hand-painted sign that read ????? ? ?????????s in bold and playful lettering.

The air was too fucking warm as usual with the scent of fresh tortillas and grilled meat—the lively hum of conversations buzzing around us as Sevan guided us inside.

And instead of a waitress or hostess, Sevan personally walked us to a table in the corner without further thought—the dim lighting casting shadows across her annoyingly sharp features.

When the waitress immediately approached our table, Sevan didn't wait for her to hand us the glossy menus.

Instead, she ordered for both of us without asking what I'd like, her voice easily slipping into Spanish as she spoke to the waitress.

Which naturally intrigued me, listening to each unfamiliar word roll off of her tongue with ease.

It managed to put me into a weird daze, silently watching their encounter until the waitress finally backed away to go put in the order.

"I never eat this before," I admitted, my tone sharp and lowered, half-expecting Sevan to make a smart comment.

But she only raised a brow, a smirk subtly twitching up on her lips, "Then you're in for a treat baby," she said, the usual pet name rolling off her tongue with infuriating ease.

I crossed my arms, leaning back in my chair as I tried to ignore how effortlessly she spoke to me like the last few hours never happened.

"You think this will win me over da?" I purposely said, hoping she didn't begin to assume that one night of this correlated to me moving on from her insane actions.

Sevan chuckled, a low sound that made my chest tighten uncomfortably, "No, but it'll make you smile," she said as she leaned in slightly over the table, her voice dropping as if she was sharing a secret with me, "And we both know I like seeing your smile."

I rolled my eyes, but before I could form a response back, the waitress returned with two drinks—each bright green and the rims dusted with salt, carefully sitting them both on the table for us.

I immediately grabbed the glass to take a small—very fucking small sip, allowing the tangy lime and tequila to hit my tongue.

It was unfamiliar... but not unwelcome.

Sevan watched me closely, her eyes analyzing every inch of my face.

But she didn't say anything.

Instead, she took a slow sip of her own drink, her stare never wavering from mine.

It was silent between us for a few moments as I sipped on my drink, glancing around the lively restaurant.

The air was warm, da, but the environment... it was something I had never experienced.

I couldn't help but observe my surroundings while Sevan calmly analyzed me.

At least until the food arrived after less than a few minutes later.

It was on a colorful plate along with different toppings for us to add.

Sevan reached for one of the tacos first, "Like this," she said, showing me how to fold the warm tortilla around the filling.

I hesitantly reached for one of the tacos and imitated her actions stiffly.

Sevan immediately smiled at my attempt, "Zinovia," she mumbled in amusement, gently grabbing my hand to adjust my grip on the taco.

I drew in a deep breath as I held her dark eyes, desperately trying to fight the warmth her actions brought.

So I focused on slowly bringing the taco to my lips, allowing Sevan to guide my hand that helped me hold the taco.

I naturally leaned in, parting my lips for a small bite, anticipating if I would even like this.

But as soon as the flavors of the spicy meat and fresh herbs hit my taste buds—I couldn't fight back the small sound of surprise that slipped out.

It was fucking incredible.

Beyond anything I had normally eaten.

Blyat.

I was meant to hate it.

Sevan's lips twitched up, clearly fucking pleased with herself, "Not so bad, is it baby?" she purposely asked me, staring so openly at my lips as I chewed a few times.

I swallowed hard, refusing to give her the satisfaction of a compliment, "I've had worse," I mumbled, but there was a small twitch at the corner of my lips that I couldn't fucking control.

And in that moment, it almost felt normal?

But as usual, there was a weight between us...

Unspoken but still undeniable.

I decided to savor the unfamiliar taste on my tongue anyway—how my tastebuds watered for more.

Or how Sevan eyed me almost in admiration as I took another bite of the taco.

Maybe this could win me over.