Page 39 of The Bratva's Auctioned Bride
“Well, then, don’t start contradicting yourself now, Diomid. What can I do to help?” she insists, pushing past me and walking straight toward the warehouse. I bolt after her, horrified.
I’ve never seen this side of her. She’s more confrontational than ever, and I fucking love it. It’s feisty and sexy and reckless and wild. It’s like she’s strong enough to match me. Her recklessness against mine. It’s fucking hot.
But it also terrifies me. If she’s going to start being as reckless as I am, how can I keep her safe?
Angelika is already inside the warehouse, walking toward the floor manager, who looks like he knows what’s going on.
“How can I help?” she asks him. Anger burns through me. She’s making it impossible for me to keep her safe. She can’t disobey me like this. What if something were to happen to her? How would I live with myself? She should be at home, locked in the penthouse. I should have used the master code so she couldn’t get out.
Wait.
What the fuck am I thinking?
I’m notthisguy!
I don’t obsess over girls like this. I don’t care this much. Not about anyone but my family.
She’s different from anyone you’ve ever met, and you know it. Stop pretending otherwise.
Fine. But even if I do like her…like that… I don’t want tocontrolher. That’sdefinitelynot who I am.
I shove my hand through my hair again, frustration boiling over as I fight for control over my thoughts.
“Sir?” The floor manager looks awkwardly between Angelika and me.
“Diomid!” someone shouts across the warehouse. “Our second location just got hit!”
“Please, this can’t be happening,” I sigh.
The guy runs up to me, talking at full speed. “An explosion. The place is on fire. The guys are working to put it out. We need an ambulance. We need…”
I grab his shoulders. “Tony, take a breath. When did this happen?”
“Now, sir, right now.”
My floor manager glances around the warehouse, then at Tony, then at me. “We’ve got it covered over here, sir. It’s mostly sorted out, and once the disposal crew finishes the clean-up, everything will be clear here. They need you there more than we need you here.”
“Tell them I’m on my way. And call for medical assistance, send them there now.”
I spin and start jogging to my car. Angelika starts running toward hers. “Go home, Angel,” I demand.
“Not a chance,” she snaps. “I’m following you.”
With a loud groan, I squeeze my eyes shut. “Just get into my car, dammit,” I growl. She’s relentless, annoying, and driving me crazy in more ways than one.
She grins, a smile of triumph, and climbs into the passenger seat, clipping herself in. Glancing at her, I smile, seeing myself in her. She’s very special. It’s starting to really scare me, these feelings I’m having towards her.
On the drive to the second warehouse, I explain about the chemical bomb and that it might be the same at the second location, so she is not to run in there under any circumstances until we know what’s going on. She nods, listening closely, her expression horrified and sullen.
“People are so cruel,” she whispers, sighing softly.
“They are, and that’s why I need you to please listen to me when we get there,” I say, desperation edged into my voice.
“I will, Diomid, but you aren’t going to stop me from helping. So, I’ll listen, as long as you include me.”
Her eyes pierce into mine when I steal a glance at her.
She means it. She’s doing this with or without my consent.
