I take hold of her hand and brush my thumb over her soft skin. “We only have a week left, Little Rose. Please, will you spend some time with me?”
Her eyebrows draw together, and I watch the conflicting emotions flash over her face.
When she starts to pull her hand from mine, I tighten my grip. Stepping close to her, our bodies touch. I cup her cheek with my other hand, giving her a pleading look. “In seven days, I have to let you go. Just give me a week where you don’t hate me.”
Sadness creeps into her eyes, making the golden flecks in her brown irises more prominent. “I can’t, Viktor.”
When she tries to step back to put some space between us, I let go of her hand and wrap my fingers around the back of her neck. Holding her in place, my mouth crashes against hers in absolute desperation.
She tries to turn her head, whimpering, “Don’t.”
Our rushing breaths mingle. Every muscle in my body strains, begging me to forsake my humanity and take what I want.
“Please,” she begs with a trembling voice. “I won’t survive the guilt.”
The powerful emotions I feel for this woman force me to let go of her. It takes all my strength to walk away from her.
A crack starts to form right down the middle of my heart when I stalk out the front door.
“Stay here,” I order Joseph and my other men.
I climb into one of the SUVs, and starting the engine, I speed out of the property and away from the woman that’s crawled so deep beneath my skin, I’ll never be able to get her out.
Blindly, I drive to Luca and Mariya’s place, and when the elevator opens to their penthouse suite, I stalk inside.
Luca’s guards must’ve notified him that I’m here because my friend comes rushing down the stairs. “What’s wrong?”
“I need to crash here tonight. You can’t let me leave.”
Worry tightens his features as he comes to stand in front of me. “Why? Who do you want to kill?”
I shake my head. “I can’t be near Rosalie until I’ve calmed down.”
Understanding flashes over his face.
“What happened?” Mariya asks as she comes down the stairs.
Glancing between my little sister and best friend, I shake my head.
It feels like I’ve already lost Rosalie.
You never had her.
Frustrated, I shove a hand through my hair and walk to Luca’s alcohol cabinet. I grab a bottle of vodka, and not bothering with a glass, I pour the liquid down my throat.
Mariya comes to place a hand on my back, giving me a concerned look. “Hey, talk to me.”
I shake my head again and stalk to the stairs. “Carry on with your day. I’ll be in one of the guestrooms.”
I take the first room and shut the door behind me. Pouring more vodka down my throat, I’m desperate for the liquor to lessen the pain that’s tearing through my heart.
I thought I’d be able to make her fall for me.
I thought, with time, Rosalie could forgive me.
I was wrong.
Christ.