Page 94 of Wicked Refusal

But before I can speak, Desya does. “Well, well,” he drawls. “Looks like we’re at an impasse.”

“Don’t you dare touch her,” I snarl.

“Oh, no. If I wanted to get her, I’d just shoot you.” Cold metal presses against my shirt, reminding me of the position I’m in. “Say, how long do you think it’d take her to rush straight over? Five seconds? Three?”

“Youmudak?—”

“Relax.” He turns to Mia. “I’m not going to end our game like this. That’d be boring, wouldn’t it? A good chase must end with a bang.” His smirk turns cruel. “I haven’t smoked out the rest of your dogs yet. Your bitch can wait. For now.” He pulls back his gun. “Unless you follow me, that is. Then I really won’t have a choice but to put her down.”

I’m boiling over. The fact that he dared call her that in my presence—it should mean instant death.

But he’s right. He’s got us over the fucking barrel. And if this sick game of his is enough of a reason for him to retreat…

Then I have to let him.

“Go,” I say. “Before I change my mind.”

“How gracious of you.” There’s venom in his voice. “If you change your mind, you know where to find me.”

“I won’t.” The mere thought fills me with disgust. “Just get out of both our sights.”

“Alright, alright,” he mocks. “But don’t turn around, Bright Eyes. If you do, she’s the one who gets it.”

I don’t respond to that. But on the inside, I’m seething.

No one threatensmywoman.

Eventually, though, he obeys. Slowly, one careful step after the other, never turning on his heels. I can hear it—I’m listening for it. The second he turns around, I’ll blow up his skull just like I promised.

But he doesn’t do that. Not until he’s all the way behind the corner. And by then, it’s too late already.

The second his steps fade, I rush to Mia.

The two cups hit the ground. Coffee splashes the sidewalk.

I’m just glad it’s not her blood.

“What just happened?” She’s breathing hard now, tears gathering in her eyes. “He—he had a gun on you. He could’ve killed you, he?—”

“Hush.” I press a kiss to her head. “He’s gone now. I’m alright.”

“Oh my God,” she sobs.

I don’t tell her everything’s going to be okay. I won’t insult her with another lie.

I just crush her into my arms and hold her through it.

32

YULIAN

Once Mia has calmed down, I bring her up to speed on Desya’s ambush.

“Jesus,” she whispers when I’m done. She’s sitting at the counter, a warm cup of tea in her hands, pale like a ghost. “I… I’m so sorry, Yulian. It’s all my fault. I was late?—”

“It’s not your fault, so stop apologizing.” It comes out harsher than I’d meant. I take a deep breath and steady myself. “He’s probably been waiting for days to ambush me like this.”

“Well, it worked.” She sounds so concerned that it breaks something in me. I should be protecting her, for fuck’s sake. Instead, here I am, making her feel like it’s her duty to protect me. “Promise me, next time you go anywhere, you’ll at least take Maksim with you?”