Page 33 of Sweet Deception

His gaze darkened. “Now.”

A twisted sort of defiance surged inside me. “And if I don’t?”

His lips curled into something that wasn’t quite a smile.

Then, before I could react, he grabbed my left hand, pried my fingers apart, and forced the ring onto my finger.

The cold metal burned against my skin.

“There,” he murmured. “Now you officially belong to me.”

I yanked my hand back, my breath ragged, my pulse hammering in my ears.

“You think this means anything?” I hissed.

Gleb’s eyes gleamed. “It means everything.”

His words felt like chains locking around my throat.

I tried to tear the ring off, but he caught my wrist before I could. His grip wasn’t harsh, but it was unshakable.

A shudder ran through me.

Slowly, he let go of my wrist.

Without another word, he turned away, grabbed the decanter from the table, and poured himself a glass.

Then, in one smooth motion, he hurled the glass against the wall.

The shatter echoed through the room.

I flinched, my breath catching.

Gleb didn’t look at me.

“My driver will take you home. Go Anna,” he said quietly.

I swallowed hard. “What?”

“I have no interest in dealing with your dramatics tonight.”

My nails dug into my palms. “You...”

“Go.”

The command rang through the room, final and unwavering.

For a second, I considered pushing him further.

But there was something in his posture, something tight and coiled, as if he were on the edge of something dangerous.

So, without another word, I turned on my heel and left.

The last thing I heard before the doors closed behind me was the sound of glass crunching beneath his boot.

Chapter 8

ANNA