“Little viper.” He sighs. I see a brief flash of annoyance followed by pride. He tips my chin up and gently strokes my hip, almost in an accidental way. “You need to leave.”
“Sorry, I’m having a good day with my new friends. Don’t you approve? I’m really acting like a good girlfriend, aren’t I?”
He lets out a slow breath. “You’re trying my patience.”
“Yours or someone else’s?”
“If Hunter and Chase know you’re here … If their father discovers you, he will have a problem with this.”
I stroke along the inside of his jacket, over his hip before pressing my lips just under his jaw, as high up as I can reach. “Let him try to put his hands on Hunter again. He’ll see why you call me a viper.”
Lief lets out a low sound, then jerks my bag up like he’s looking through it as the door opens. I smirk at him as he gives me a frustrated face and shows me the pepper spray. When he gets to the knife, he rubs his temple.
“Lief, what is this?” An old man with Hunter’s eyes and thick gray hair demands as he walks in.
Lief shoves my purse into my hands, but not hard enough to avoid suspicion. The man looks at me as cigar smoke leaves his nose. He points the disgusting-smelling thing at me. “You.”
“Hello,” I say simply.
“I don’t know you.” He glares.
Lief glances past him and I see Hunter. Hunter who is definitely pissed andnotimpressed. I take a step closer to Lief. The man hisses. “This is the one?”
“Mr. Volkov-” Lief tries.
Oh shit. Oh hell no.Thisis Hunter and Chase’s father? Oh, do I have some words for him. Let’s go, old man. Right now. Me and my fun Lief un-approved bag can take him right here.
“You are a danger to my sons, you are an unnecessary distraction, and I won’t tolerate you being in my home.”
“Sweet Valerie, come join us! We miss your company!” Natalie calls.
Mr. Volkov looks at the ladies’ area and then to me. He grits his teeth and I’m kind of surprised the cigar doesn’t break. He hisses. “Take care of her, Lief.”
“I will call a car.”
“No.dealwith the situation.” I don’t miss the malice in the old man’s eyes. He motions for Lief to go into the house with me.
Lief considers it, his face cold and calculated. I know he won’t hurt me though. I trust him. Stupid as it is, he’s earned it time and time again. I take a slow breath and make myself relax. Lief takes my hand
“Very well.”
Mr. Volkov nods until Lief drags me to the stairs. “Where are you going?!”
“I’m doing as I’ve been ordered.”
“Lief!”
I tug at my arm, not liking how hard he’s grabbing me considering he’s not inside me. Rather than explain himself, or address Mr. Volkov, Lief throws me over his shoulder and swats my thigh. “I’m going to punish you thoroughly.”
I groan, but his shoulder keeps pushing into my belly. “Lief, down.”
“Nope.”
“Please!”
“You heard the boss, little viper. I have to deal with you.” Lief sighs like it’s a personal annoyance. “I could have just escorted you out because you weren’t invited, but now that you’ve been so impulsive and difficult …”
“Viking,” I whimper.