Page 22 of Fierce Pursuit

And I hated myself more for noticing how good he looked.

My thoughts barely had time to register before my eyes caught something else?—

My roommates.

The two of them lay on the floor, unconscious, tied up, their arms and legs wrenched behind their backs.

My stomach turned.

And Kostya?

Kostya just sat there, unbothered, as if holding men captive at his feet was nothing more than a mild inconvenience.

My heart pounded as I forced out a question I already dreaded the answer to. “What did you do to them?”

I inwardly grimaced when my voice came out as a high-pitched squeak.

His gaze flicked to me, sharp, assessing. Unimpressed.

“Never mind what I did to them,” he said. “If I were you, I’d be more concerned about what I’m going to do to you.”

And then he stood, unfolding himself from the chair like a predator rising from its perch.

My body stiffened as he passed close by me to slam the door shut. I jerked at the ominous metal click from the deadbolt sliding into place.

My nails bit into my palms as I tried to calm my racing heart. I needed to think. There had to be a way out of this. He’d come close—never this close—but close to catching me before and I always got away.Think!

The aged floorboards creaked under his weight as hemoved to stand behind me. His breath ruffled the curls around my ear.

“How dare you live with men?” His voice deepened, low and cutting. “Why would you put yourself in that kind of danger?”

Fear strangled my breath in the seconds it took for rage to replace it.

Turning on him, I snapped, “Excuse me?”

His expression hardened. “There’s no excuse for living with men. Especially weak, sniveling ones who couldn’t possibly protect you from?—”

“Youare the only one I need protection from!” The words ripped from me, hot and furious, echoing off the walls.

I was furious. Furious at his audacity, at his arrogance, at the absolute insanity of him.

“You’re the one who chased me down on the L!” I seethed. “You’re the one who followed me all the way from Moscow!”

The truth hung between us, raw and electric.

His lips curled slightly. Not quite a smirk. Not quite anything.

But the gleam in his eyes?

It was dangerous…and hungry.

Shocked, I stepped back, almost stumbling over one of my roommate’s bent legs.

It couldn’t be.

I was imagining it.

He’d been married to my sister. Mydeadsister.

---