“No.” I practically snarl the word, even though my head is already on Ravil’s chopping block.
Surprisingly, my pakhan appears more satisfied than angry with my tone. He sits back. “That's what I thought. Now go deal with her. I will put guards outside your door as backup.”
Nikolai meets me in the elevator hallway with a pair of handcuffs and chains. He hands them to me but doesn’t release them when I tug. “Listen, Maykl. When Ravil kidnapped Lucy and brought her here, Maxim told him there was only one option that would result in her not being a threat to the organization.”
I stiffen, understanding that we’re talking about whether Kira dies or not. “And what was that?”
“Make her fall in love.” He releases his hold on the chains and flicks a brow. “So use those wisely.” A slap on my shoulder, and he’s gone, with me standing there in the hallway with a kick of lust running through me.
Winning Kira is the only way to save her life.
Game on.
Kira
I drift off to sleep after Maykl leaves.
When I wake, he’s standing over me, a dark gleam in his eye. My ankles and wrists have been cut loose. “What will I do with you, Valkiriya?”
It all comes back to me. The truth serum. The interrogation. What I told him.
Logically, I know I should be afraid. The fact that I’m not means the drug is still coursing through my veins. Keeping me sluggish and relaxed. In an open state. Still susceptible to any question he might ask.
“Don’t kill me,” I mumble in reply to his most likely rhetorical question.
His brows lower. It’s hard to focus, but he appears troubled. Like killing me is on the table, but he won’t enjoy it.
That means I may have some wiggle room if my brain and body ever come back online.
“It’s not up to me now, little warrior. You involved the FBI. Planted bugs in our building and sent them the information they needed to breach the building. Why would they need that?”
“They believe you will resist arrest, and there will be a stand-off.” I hear myself whimper without even knowing I was going to. “I don’t want you killed, Maykl.”
His expression softens. He crawls onto the bed, leaning over me. “Is that so?” He brushes my hair from my face.
“No. You’d be on the frontline. I don’t like it. I was going to try to protect you.”
His lips quirk. “Protect me.” His deep growl of a voice warms my chest. “How would you protect me, Valkiriya?”
“I don’t know. I would lure you away from the door. Or warn you. I didn’t have a plan. I have been winging this whole thing if you couldn’t tell.”
It’s strange to hear all my thoughts pour out of my mouth. So unlike me to share any personal thoughts at all.
I attempt to meet his gaze. My eyes still seem to have trouble focusing. “Would you try to protect me, Maykl?”
He stares down at me, conflict swirling behind his brown gaze.
“I know I don’t deserve it. I lost your trust. But there’s still something between us, isn’t there?”
Gospodi. I sound pathetic. Why can’t I wake from this dream-like state the drug put me in?
He grips my jaw, his stare hardening. “What is there between us, Kira, hmm? Sex?”
For a moment, I can’t breathe. There’s some emotion stuffed just behind my solar plexus.
Something fighting to get out.
My vision grows blurry. Am I crying over his rejection following my vulnerable attempt at finding common ground?
“You took pity on me before. You helped me with Anya’s funeral arrangements.”
“Yes and look how you repaid me.”
I blink, and the tears spill down my temples into my ears. “I know. But it had to be done. To find Mika.”
His expression only hardens further. His sympathy for me and my plight has ended.
“I’m sorry, Maykl.”
It’s true. We both know it’s true because I’m still under the influence of the drug he gave me. Still unable to filter anything or lie.
That seems to soften him because he lowers his mouth to mine, still gripping my jaw. He devours me with a kiss, his tongue lashing between my lips, punishing me with the ferocity of the contact.
I kiss him back, still crying. Ecstatic at the touch. At the hope for redemption burning in my chest. It goes on and on. A blinding kiss. The kind that makes my eyes roll back in my head and my mind go completely empty.
When he pulls away, I whimper at the loss.
“You like that, little warrior?” he murmurs.
“Yes,” I moan. “I like… you. I–” I try to filter the words before they come out but fail. “I’m falling for you, but I don’t want to.”
One corner of his lips quirk. “That’s cute, Valkiriya.” He strokes his thumb along my lower lip. “I’m inclined to believe you.”