Page 24 of Fierce Pursuit

I was only on the second floor but right below my window a wrought iron fence jutted up, its pointed tips gleaming in the dim streetlight.

No safe way down. No way out.

When I picked this room, I thought the fence would add security. Be a deterrent.

Now, it was a prison.

I turned, scanning the room, and my stomach sank.

Kostya had been in here.

My things had been moved.

The book I had left on my nightstand was now neatly stacked on the bookshelf.

And the shawl—the one I wrapped myself in every night—was draped over my desk chair, as if he had touched it.

Touched my things.

My skin prickled.

I had never felt more exposed in my own room.

“Open the door, Marina.”

His voice was right outside.

I squeezed my hands into fists. “Go to hell!”

A pause. Then, “Open the door, or I swear to God, when I get my hands on you?—”

I spun toward the door, my chest heaving. “You’ll what? Kill me like you did my sister?”

My hand flew to cover my mouth. I couldn’t believe I just said that out loud.

Great idea, Marina.

Piss off the already pissed off scary giant by accusing him of murder.

The only way out was through that door.

And Kostya was right on the other side.

I was trapped.

And I had let it happen.

That didn’t mean I had to make this easy.

Yes, he was bigger than me. Yes, he was the man I pictured every single time I read a spicy romance novel. Yes, he had haunted every single one of my fantasies, whether I wanted him to or not.

But that didn’t mean I had to give in.

I knew what would happen if I left with him.

And I would not die the same way my sister had.

Not without a fight.

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