Page 60 of Torn Souls

“I’ll always let you see the real me,” I promise her, “but only you.”

Oaklynn’s smile turns sweet before it freezes on her face. Just as I’m about to ask her what’s wrong, I feel a presence standing over us. When I look up, my eyes narrow and bloodlust flares inside of me.

Richard Chambers and Mikhail’s second, Lev, are standing over us with matching smirks. I want to beat those looks off their faces.

“Oaklynn,” my lip curls at the condescending tone Chambers uses to address his daughter, “fancy seeing you here.”

His eyes flick to me as if to say I’m not the Volkov brother she should be with, but I’m not bothered or worried. I sit back in my chair and level him with an unreadable look.

If he were a smart man, he would turn around and flee while he can.

“Father,” Oaklynn’s greeting is curt.

Her face is a neutral mask. It kills me because I know it’s the same mask she’s had to wear around her father for years. Her own father. It’s something she should have never needed, but the reality is she did. For far too long.

“Why are you out with the wrong Volkov,” Chambers challenges. His eyes flit down to her hand and a smug expression fills his face. “Where is your ring? Have you already fucked everything up?”

The beast inside of me is banging against the confines of his cage. He’s going to break out and I won’t be able to stop him. Imagining his blood covering me soon enough is helping, but not nearly enough.

Oaklynn’s tone is placating, as if she’s speaking to a child, “Kirill has ordered me a ring, but it’s being custom made to his exact specifications. That kind of artistry takes time. He wants my ring to be a statement, one which can’t be misconstrued or ignored.”

Her father’s eyes flash with rage as Lev makes a tsking sound as if Oaklynn has misstepped. They just don’t know who she really is. They will soon enough.

“I can assure you that the marriage between my brother and Oaklynn will proceed as planned,” my voice is deadly.

“I haven’t received an invitation,” Chambers throws out there.

Our woman looks down which is what her father expects of her. “I promise that you will get one soon. I met with a wedding planner and they’re being printed now. They’re very tasteful,” she assures him and sounds like she’s seeking his approval even though I know that’s the last thing she cares about.

“They better be,” the threat is clear.

When I glance up at Lev, he’s eyeing our woman in a way that has my fingers begging to wrap around his throat so I can look him in the eye as I choke the life out of him. Does Chambers really think we don’t know who his companion is? He’s so flagrant; it’s maddening.

“She is quite beautiful,” Lev’s words are smarmy, his eyes not leaving Oaklynn even though it’s clear he’s speaking to Chambers. “Pity,” he whispers.

Unable to stand it a moment longer, I stand suddenly, pulling my wallet out of my pocket. I toss far more money than our meal costs onto the table before helping our woman to stand and leading her away from the pair without another glance.

They’re going to be pissed, but I can’t let them ruin my date with our woman any more than they already have. My hand on the small of Oaklynn’s back lets me feel just how much she’s trembling.

Fear grips me. Is she scared? Does she think I couldn’t protect her?

When she looks up at me, I can see the anger burning in her eyes and I know she was moments away from losing her cool. She’s so fucking strong.

Instead of leading her toward the front of the restaurant, I guide us to the back, not caring if anyone notices or not. The moment the heavy service door slams behind us and the cooler night air kisses our skin, I’m unable to hold back.

Her anger only enflames my own.

I grip Oaklynn’s hips and push her against the wall roughly. She gasps, but the sound barely leaves her lips before I slam my mouth down on hers.

My hands slide down her sides until I can grip her thighs and hike her up. Her legs wrap around my waist, her dress bunching up around her hips. I know she’s not wearing panties again tonight because I didn’t include them in the clothes, I left for her to wear tonight.

“I love you in this dress,Zolotse,” I pant against her lips.

She grinds down against my rigid length. “You have good taste,” she whispers, her eyes hungry with need.

When she reaches between us and undoes my fly to pull my hard cock out, I hiss out a breath the moment I’m free. I need to be buried inside of her.

Now.

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