Page 75 of Beautiful Devil

“First, I won’t live in a cage for the rest of my life, no matter how beautiful the surroundings. I’ll wither away and die. I need my career. That must be something you can understand. I want love, eventually marriage, even children. I can’t imagine that fitting into your world ever, especially with the decisions you make after whatever you plan on doing with Volkov. You need to let me go.”

Sighing, he fiddled with my hair, no longer able to look me in the eyes. “I don’t want to cage you,mi hermosa flor.”

“I thought that’s all you wanted. To have me at your beck and call whenever you grow hungry.”

“Ouch.”

“You deserved it.”

He pinched my chin, forcing me to lower my head. “Yes, I did. Things have changed between us.”

“Meaning what? That you care about me?” I pressed my hand against his chest, fighting the urge to kiss him. Nothing would be solved by falling into his arms once again.

“Yes, I care about you.”

“Then say it.”

He opened his mouth then clamped it shut.

I laughed bitterly, jerking away then moving to the other side of the bed. Now I was the one unable to look him in the eyes. “I don’t know why or how this is happening, but I’m falling in love with you. I’m certain of it. I can’t think clearly when you’re away from me, especially when I know it involves danger. But that’s no way to live. You can’t love me. You say you can’t protect me whether I’m with you or not. What’s the point? I’d rather take my chances returning to my life than regretting not having one.” As soon as I said the words, a sharp pain sliced straight into my heart.

The weight on the bed shifted and I expected him to bolt out of the room, issuing some order or mandate, completely ignoring what I’d said. But he surprised me yet again, wrapping his legs around me and holding me against his chest. His breath remained irregular, and I could sense he was deep in thought.

When he finally spoke, the haunting quality of his voice nearly tore me apart.

“It’s too dangerous right now to allow you to return to the same life, even returning to Arizona. There was a reason Eddie lured both you and me to New York.”

“You’re saying he betrayed my father.”

“Yes. He received a significant amount of money, and Diego was able to find the origin was Russia.”

“I find that hard to believe.”

“Everyone has a price.”

Why would Eddie do that unless he’d been pressured, threatened? “Maybe you’re right and I am naïve.”

“If the information is discovered, there will less of a desire to punish you for the sins of your father. And no, Emily. I am not holding you ransom until the data is found. But it’s going to be your choice what you do with it. If you use that information, I assure you that there won’t be a location in the world where you can be completely safe, even if you are placed in witness protection. That’s how powerful the organizations who’ve hired me truly are.”

“In other words, it’s another promise you can’t or won’t keep.”

He gripped my arms, as if fearful I’d run away. Where would I go at this point?

“I don’t want to lose you,” he said, which was as close to expressing what he felt in his heart as he’d ever get. While it tugged at my heart, it wasn’t enough.

While I allowed him to pull me down on the bed, I couldn’t seem to stop shivering. If he ever allowed me to leave, could I ever erase him from my heart?

The answer was far too easy. It was also gut-wrenching. I knew in my heart that neither of us could stay away, but if my instinct was correct, then it really wouldn’t matter.

This was one fight that Kostya would lose because of his anger for a man he didn’t know and one who’d lured him into a trap.

His father was intent on finishing the horrible task he’d begun decades before.

Ending his son’s life.

Only this time, he’d succeed.

CHAPTER15

---