Page 42 of Her Vicious Angel

He felt hard and coiled underneath me.

His father was directing a group of women back into their rooms, and I saw some disgruntled glances from them. I realized I was the only one Andrei had bothered to put in the safe room.

“This safe room is supposed to be full,” the Pakhan said.

“There was no real danger,” Andrei said, waving his hand dismissively. “They never got close to the house.”

I felt my cheeks flame with embarrassment and confusion. His first instinct had been to putmein the safe room if there was any threat of danger. But he was a vicious, demanding protector, saving me to keep his cruel hands on me. I felt my body heating with the thought of those hands on me wringing orgasms from my body, and I blurted out anything to draw attention away from my confusion.

“What happened?”

“They didn’t get what they hoped for from the raid,” said Andrei.

“It was a good thing you were awake,” said the Pakhan, looking over at his son, but Andrei ignored him.

“What did they want?” I asked breathlessly.

“They wanted to scare me away from expanding into new territory,” said Andrei. “But I am going to force an alliance with the Nemov family.”

I saw Grigoriy raise his eyebrows. “I thought they wouldn’t have anything to do with you,” he said.

“They’ll bend to my will,” said Andrei, “Or I’ll break them.”

* * *

After lunch,the Pakhan asked Andrei when our wedding was going to be.

“I’m not getting married,” said Andrei coldly. He folded his arms across his chest and glared at his father.

I had known this was coming ever since I found out he wasn’t gay but it still hurt like hell.

“Fine,” I said, struggling to keep my voice steady. “Put me on a train to the airport right now.”

“Oh no,” said the Pakhan, sliding his sly eyes at me. “I’m afraid you know way too much about the Bratva for us to let you leave.”

My blood ran cold.

“Cerise isn’t going anywhere,” Andrei snarled. “I have no intention of letting her leave. She will stay here with me.”

“No,” said his father. “She knows too much to just be one of the women. If you don’t claim her, another high-ranking Bratva can.”

I wondered if I was mistaken, but it almost looked like Andrei’s face went white under his tan, but he said, “Father, I will not dance to your tune. She belongs to me. I do not intend to let any other man claim her.”

The Pakhan stood up. “This isn’t a debate, Andrei Petrovic. I want her in the family and that will happen either through you or another high-ranking Petrovic.”

There was a tense, terrifying silence after Grigoriy Petrovic left the room. Andrei didn’t look at me, and I felt the blood rushing to my face. Was he really going to let another man claim me?

Then he left the room, without even a backwards glance.

I felt despair in the pit of my stomach. I guess he was. Tonight someone else in the Petrovic family would claim me as his own.

22

ANDREI

Iam furious at my father, but this time his schemes aren’t going to work.

I know he only arranged a marriage for me because he fears my activities will make it more difficult for our Bratva to maintain alliances and business relationships as we expand our reach into new territory.

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