Page 169 of Desperate People

Epilogue Three-Nico Jr

Did I plan to kidnap the object of my obsession from Balor and Lucy’s backyard premiere party?

Not exactly.

But let’s just say the opportunity presented itself.

One moment, Leanna Volkov is laughing under those twinkling garden lights, sipping from a champagne flute like she doesn’t have a care in the world.

So goddamn beautiful. So untouchable.

And the next?

She’s in my car.

Unconscious, but breathing softly.

Like a princess in a fairytale.

My Princess.

I know what this looks like.

I know what they’ll say.

I can already hear my mother’s screams. My father’s rage.

And Adrik Volkov’s wrath.

But I don’t give two shits.

Let them come.

They should’ve never let her out of their sight.

Because now?

She’s mine.

Her lips are slightly parted, the soft sound of her breath filling the interior of the SUV as I take the long route to the estate I’ve spent the last year building—just for her.

A place no one knows about. A place no one can find.

Tucked away on the Jersey Shore.

She has no idea what’s coming.

Not really.

She might suspect I’ve watched her. Followed her.

But she doesn’t know how deep it runs.

I’ve loved her since we were kids—since she was too young to understand what she did to me with every careless laugh and roll of her eyes.

Too young for me to touch.

And fuck you, I’m no pervert.

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