Page 1 of Bratva Hunter

Prologue

ROSA

My friends giggle around me. Four of us just completed a modeling assignment here in Prague. I flip my hair, scanning the dance club. Lights reflect red and blue along the ceiling with other lights strobing around the room. My father would swallow his tongue if he saw the dress I’m wearing. The short silver dress shimmers in the strobing-colored lights. No bra and just a scrap of a thong between me and the dress. It’s so low in the back, I feel indecent.

Hands cup my hips, pulling me against a hard, warm body. I can tell he’s tall with the aroma of citrus and sandalwood. Leaning the back of my head against his chest, we’re writhing to the beat. My friends turn and smile, two offering a thumbs up. He must be gorgeous. They’re drooling.

A new song starts before the last one ends, offering a constant beat. Finally, he turns me around to his handsome face. Piercing blue eyes sparkle as a smile lifts the corner of his mouth. Hethinks I’m as hot as I think he is. And damn, he is fire. Warm milk chocolate hair with wild light streaks makes my fingers itch to run through it.

He leans in to me. “I’m Rory.”

I take a breath. I never use my real name, but my conscience niggles at me, wanting to share it. “Rosa.” It’s my real name, because it feels like he could mean something.

“Nice to meet you. Want a drink?” I bob my head as he pulls me off the floor, cupping my elbow, leading me to the other end of the bar. Stopping at the edge of the bar, he asks. “What do you like to drink?”

“Bottled water.”

A subtle brow lift from the gorgeous man, makes me smile. He orders my water and a shot of vodka, I assume for himself. He hands me the unopened bottle and walks me and his drink to a side table. The two men standing at the table make eye contact with Rory but quickly scamper away. He oozes power, like the men in my father’s family, but Rory’s power is veiled in a sophistication my father lacks.

He pulls out my chair and grabs the other to pull it close. I can feel the warmth from his body as we sit and my panties dampen. “It’s interesting to find another American in Prague.”

He shrugs. “My family business sends me all over the world, and Prague has the best nightclubs.”

“Yeah? I haven’t been to that many.”

He drops his head to the side of mine, and I can feel his longer hair tickle my ear. “You’re young. Give yourself time to travel and experience the world.”

His scent captivates me as I whisper. “I love to experience new things. Want to be my tour guide?”

His head snaps back to stare. “Don’t tempt me.”

“Why not? You’re the first man I’ve ever wanted to pick up at a club. Take me back to your place and give me some of those experiences you alluded to.”

He stands, yanking me into his arms, slipping me next to his warm body under the protection of his side. “I’m not letting you leave until morning, pretty girl.”

“You growled like it’s a threat. I’m happy to go back with you.”

We exit the club as I take out my phone to text my friends that I’ll call them in the morning. We stop as we reach a silver SUV. “Tell me you’re not a virgin.”

Laughing, I squeeze his upper arm, raising to my tiptoes. “No. Rory. That train left the station a long time ago.” He opens the door as I climb inside.

Pulling into the parking section of the hotel, he maneuvers to valet parking, handing his keys to the attendant as he strolls around to open my door. His large, warm hand extends for me to clasp. “Step into my castle, Princess Rosa.”

I can’t help the blooming smile on my face. My grandfather called me that when I grew up in Texas with my mother’s family, away from the evilness of my father’s life. We walk arm in arm into the hotel, stepping onto the elevator. The doors close and his hands grab me, pulling me to him as he lifts me off the ground to take my mouth with his. The hint of vodka remains on his tongue as he explores my mouth. If I wasn’t hot for the man before, this kiss would do it.

Setting me down as the elevator dings, we step out into the expansive hall with blue and gray carpet and gaudy gold sconces adorning the walls. He shifts his footing to place me next to his side once more. Anticipation bubbles in my core as he walks us down the short hall. It’s a penthouse suite with an ornate double dark wood door. He gets us into his room and before I get a chance to look around, he shoves me against the wall, sliding his hand to my throat and kisses me hard. It’s possession. NothingI’ve experienced prepared me for the assault on my senses this man is causing. He moans as his tongue dances with mine. It’s glorious.

“Tell me you want this.”

What? “I uh. Yes, damn it. I want this. Give it to me.”

He chuckles. “Is there anything you don’t want me to do to your body?”

What the hell would he want to do? “Huh? What do you mean?”

He releases his hand from my neck and gently strokes my collar bone, kissing my forehead. “What shouldn’t I do to you?”

“What do you want to do?”

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