Chapter Four
Eve flipped through the thick binder once more. She settled it between her knees. Without realizing it, Eve considered the living room couch “her spot”.
Three days had passed since Vadim had taken her here, but she didn’t know if she could still consider herself his captive. He carelessly left his keys right by the small table her the door. Not reckless, but the choice to leave had always been an option.
Not that it mattered. Once she stepped out of his property and back to civilization, she’d be a hunted woman. She turned her attention to the data he’d collected, evidence he hadn’t lied to her once. The file contained information about her family, the Petrovichs most of all, and a detailed list of the deals Gustav Petrovich had made over the years. Eve finally saw a pattern emerging. All of the steps Gustav had taken would lead to the downfall of her family.
The mob boss had slowly won over the Valentins’ allies, swayed them over to his side, so when the day came for their eradication, no one stood in his way.
Vadim appeared in front of her, and just when she thought she’d become used to his presence, he proved her wrong.
Her pulse raced a little faster whenever he approached, and it was hard to ignore Vadim. Eve unthinkingly scooted to one side to make way for him. He sat, placing one proprietary hand over her exposed left thigh, just below the cut of her denim shorts.
It made complete sense now, why he had clothes in her size and other feminine products. Vadim had known what Gustav Petrovich had planned for the longest time. He’d had no way of contacting her—her family made sure of that—but he’d thought ahead.
Goosebumps appeared across her arms. He’d been obsessed with her, and yet she couldn’t judge him, not when she’d been miserable all these years, thinking only of him, too. Vadim ran his hand up her thigh, and she swallowed, aware of her panties getting wet.
Any closer and he could flick open the button of her shorts, drag the zipper down, expose her pink panties. Lacy underthings she’d never choose for herself, but she wore them all the same, because arming herself with layers of clothing felt like the right choice. Eve understood on some level he’d never touch her without her consent, but the protection wasn’t against him, but for herself. Eve was terrified she’d be so lost in his kisses, his touches, that she’d forget what he was.
Finally, he spoke. “Aren’t you sick of looking at that? Some sunlight and a walk could do you some good.”
Eve gripped the edges of the binder. “You’ve been thorough.”
She could no longer call it a kidnapping. It still was, but in some ways, he’d saved her, too.
“Any wrong move and I’d lose you forever.”
He stopped touching her, and she almost begged him to keep on doing it. Eve didn’t know how it started, why she allowed these little gestures, but she’d gotten used to it, didn’t mind crossing boundaries, one step at a time when it came to him.
“Was I worth the effort?” she dared to whisper.
“You know the answer to that question. Gear up. We’re going for a hike.”
She scrunched her face. “Seriously?”
“Woods surround us in all directions. It’ll be a waste if you remained indoors all the time.”
“I’ve never gone on a hike since forever,” she argued, then gestured to her body. “As you can see, I’m not exactly fit and slender.”
He caught her wrist, the movement so fast she barely noticed it. Eve’s heart hammered against her chest.
“There’s absolutely nothing fucking wrong with you. The curves and breasts you hate so much, I dream of possessing every moment and every day.”
What could she say to that?
“There’s something wrong with you.”
Vadim chuckled, and she stared, never expecting to hear him laugh. It was a good sound. “I’ve known that since my father shoved a gun in my hand where other kids were given toys. What can you say for yourself, that you’re attracted to a monster?”
“You’re not that.” A monster wouldn’t risk so much, put his own life at stake simply to claim one woman for himself. “Not to me.”
Vadim’s expression grew intense, unreadable. Ignoring her comment, he jerked his head to the door. “Ten minutes.”
Eve wondered if she tempted Vadim with sex, would he reconsider? The thought made her blush, because her purity remained intact. Did Vadim know that? She saved it for him all these years, even when it became clear they might never meet again.
“Nine minutes,” Vadim said, looking at his watch.
Fuming at him, she retreated to the room he’d assigned as hers. His room lay next to hers. She lingered by the doorway. Last night, she’d debated slipping into his private space and joining him in bed, not necessarily for sex, but she wanted company and she had a feeling his presence would ward off the nightmares she’d been having.