Page 63 of Sweet Obsession

She shivered.

I pulled back slowly, savoring it. Watching the flush crawl up her throat like a secret.

“Next time you walk in uninvited,” I said, tone velvet and venom, “I might not be so generous.”

I didn’t tell her I’d found my brother’s necklace among her belongings. Now wasn’t the time. She was already a storm I wasn’t ready to drown yet.

I turned and stalked from the room without looking back.

Viktor was waiting in the hall, arms folded.

“There’s a problem,” he said tightly.

My blood was already roaring.

“Chernov?” I bit out.

He nodded. “He’s bidding twice what we’re offering on the Volograd estate.”

Of course.

He hadn’t come to the estate in person for nothing. He could’ve sent a lieutenant. But he came himself. Because he’s making moves.

“Make it clear anyone who deals with Chernov answers to me,” I said, voice like frost.

Viktor hesitated. “There’s more. He might be interested in Luna. One of our plants heard him talking about her. Said she was... unique.”

My jaw locked. Fist clenched at my side. I didn’t answer. Because if Chernov laid so much as a fucking finger on her, I wouldn’t just start a war, I’d burn the world and finish it.

“Anything else?” I asked finally, my voice tight enough to cut steel.

Viktor’s eyes met mine. He wasn’t done.

“He’s coming,” he said. “Tonight. With his brothers.”

I didn’t blink.

“Claims he’s bringing an offer. One too big to refuse.”

The silence between us stretched. Heavy and sharp.

I didn’t answer. I didn’t need to. My stillness was already screaming violence.

“Where?” I asked, though I already knew.

“Here,” Viktor said. “The estate.”

Of course.

The bastard wouldn’t pass up a chance to slither right into my den, especially if it meant catching a glimpse of her.

But if Chernov thought he could circle her, scent her, speak her name without bleeding for it, he’d learn.

I’d carve the lesson into his bones.

My hand still burned from touching her, Luna.

She walked into that room like a lamb, all soft eyes and bare skin, but left me raw and restless. Like something feral had stirred loose beneath my ribs, pacing, snapping its jaws. She had no idea what she did to me. And that was the real danger.