Page 14 of Possession

“If that is what you call control, I don’t want to imagine what not in control looks like. Let me take you home.”

“I don’t need your help. I can walk.”

“Baby girl, I wasn’t asking.”

“I don’t appreciate being called ‘baby girl'. My name is Ava, not baby girl.” I stand in front of her.

“I’m not asking. Either you come willingly or I’ll carry you to my car. I thought we established that you do as I say.”

“Excuse me? Who the hell do you think you are.” She takes a step back. “I’m not going anywhere with you. Especially with a loaded gun.” Until that moment I forgot my gun was still exposed. I put it on my back, my jacket covering it. I take a step forward. She stands firm. I’m impressed by her tenacity. “I’m not going anywhere with you. I can take care of myself.”

“I rather you not walk alone.”

“You realize I’ve walked alone a thousand times before. This is where I live.”

“Doesn’t make a difference to me.” I take a step closer. We are so close I am surrounded by the lavender pouring from her hair.

“You are not going to give up, are you?” She finally says.

“Not in my nature. My car is across the street.” She looks past me.

“Fine. If it will get you to leave.” She walks past me into the street. She doesn’t look both ways checking whether a car is coming. Her carelessness irritates me.

“It’s dangerous crossing without looking.”

“No one drives here at this time.” I see the car before she does. I pull her to me. I hold her in place as the car honks and passes.

“You were saying?” If she were mine, I would spank her to submission. “You have no regard for your safety.” She pulls herself away from me.

“You know nothing about me.” She walks to the passenger door and gets in.

Chapter Eight

Ava

Why does he think he can speak to me like he is the boss of me? I’m a grown woman. Cars never drive at this time. The odds of a car driving here are slim to none. I am perfectly safe walking myself home. I don’t need a man, and Nathan wouldn’t hurt me. He is a cheating asshole but has never crossed that line. His SUV smells of him. It’s a mixture of musk and sandalwood. He gets in the SUV and turns it on. He doesn’t say a word. He doesn’t even look at me. He pulls away and drives straight.

“Where are you going? You can do a u-turn.” He doesn’t speak. “Viktor, seriously. Pull over. I would rather walk home.”

“I want to talk to you about my proposal.”

“I told you I am not interested. Pull over.” He doesn’t. I want to take the wheel to get his full attention but I don’t have a death wish. “I am not joking.” I scream.

“I am not going to hurt you, Ava. I might be many things but even I have lines I won’t cross.” Weirdly enough I know he is telling the truth.

“I never said you would. Where are you taking me?”

“Home.”

“No way.” I go to unbuckle my seatbelt. He turns.

“Don’t.” His voice carries in the car. I stop.

He continues to drive. I want to scream for him to pull over but it will be useless. The drive is quiet. No music or words exchanged. If this is the game we are playing, fine with me. I refuse to speak first. I don’t have anything to say to him. It’s not like he is going to listen anyway. I am perfectly fine sitting quietly. It’s been such a long day.

“Ava, we are here.” I feel fingers softly caressing the side of my face.

“What?” I ask in a panic.

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