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“I will not date you.” “I…I’m not asking you to date me.” Okay, so maybe I was? But why the hell is he such a stone-cold asshole? Can’t he hurt people more gently or something?
“Don’t ask Bran or anyone else to be your fake boyfriend,” he repeats, with an edge this time. “And if I refuse to follow your demands, which are super illogical, by the way?” He steps closer until his chest nearly brushes against mine and grabs my jaw with his thumb and forefinger, imprisoning me in place. “Then you’ll be acquainted with the pain you’re so scared of.”
“From now on, when I tell you to do something, you do it.” Slap. “If I warn you, you don’t ignore me.” Slap. “You’ll listen to fucking orders.” Slap. “You will obey me.” Slap.
You’ve fucked up again. I’ve given you an opening to try and run away, but you went ahead and refused to take it. Don’t blame me for what’ll happen next. You’re now mine to punish and discipline, little purple.
“I thought this would be a date, but apparently, I just set you up with food. Maybe I shouldn’t include anything to eat in the future.” You shouldn’t cook anything in the future.
I kiss her like I’ve never kissed before, because I have never kissed before, never considered the act of any value—not until this girl bulldozed through my life. My lips feast on hers with the energy of an unsatiated beast until she’s gasping, until her body molds against mine. Until I can no longer decipher where she starts and I end. The rain beats down on us like a witness of this moment. The moment I decide that Annika Volkov won’t be able to escape me. Not even if she wants to.
Creighton’s voice is clipped at best as he glares at his brother. “Stay the fuck away from what’s mine.”
“Plural, yes.” I stroke my fingers over Annika’s heated skin and stare between Remi and Bran. “She’s mine. If I find out either of you touched her, prepare to lose a limb.”
“Tiger! How could you not tell me you adopted him? You know how much I love that cat.” “He was supposed to be your second birthday present.” I grin. “You can be so sweet when you’re not an asshole.” He narrows his eyes and I blurt, “I meant, thank you.”
“Oh, and I forgot something very important. I will do all the cooking since you don’t know how.” I internally wince. “We should probably outsource that.” “But why? You like my food.” Because you put effort into it, not because it tastes good.
“I like spending time with her. She’s the light I never thought I needed and the one person who can fill the hollowness.” “Ouch, I’m wounded. I thought filling the hollowness was my role.” “You’re empty yourself. How the fuck will you be able to fill someone else?”
“It’s weird how you hate everyone but have always refused to leave me alone.” “Didn’t have a choice. When Mum and Dad shoved you in my face, I had two options, like you or kill you. I would’ve gone for the second one, but I figured that would be frowned upon by our parents, so I had no choice but to like you.” “Must’ve been a struggle.” “I know, right? The worst of all. You’re a lucky son of a bitch.” “Thanks, Eli.”
“You have exactly one second to remove your hands from my wife’s shoulders before I break them.” Adrian’s closed-off voice reaches us first, then his larger-than-life presence follows.
“Don’t be jealous, Boss. It’s not my fault that I’m charming.” “We’ll see how charming you actually are when you’re buried facedown six feet under.” Yan pats his shoulder. “You and I both know that won’t be happening as long as Lia is alive. See you later, Boss.”
“And what did I say about pulling away from me, sweetheart, hmm?” Her worn-out face creases. “Aiden…” “What the fuck did I say?” She releases a long sigh. “That we can be mad at each other while you touch me.” “That’s right. So don’t attempt that stunt again or we’re going to have a problem.”
“I will kill you,” I mouth so his mother doesn’t see. “Mum.” He puts on his acting cap, which he most definitely learned from that fucker Ronan. Note to self: make him pay next time I see him and promptly think of a way to escape my wife’s wrath. “What is it, hon?” “Dad just threatened to kill me.” “Aiden!” She furrows her brow
“Have you heard the part where she fell in love with me at first sight? Something that didn’t happen with you or Eli?” He narrows his eyes. “You get a pass for being sick.” “That means I’m more important than you two.” “Don’t push it. And quit channeling Eli or I’ll smack you. Sick or not.” “I brought biscuits.” Mum rushes back in with half-burnt biscuits that look like murdered Smurfs. Dad and I groan, but we eat every last bite.
“Creighton…this is called kidnapping.” “And you shooting me is called attempted murder, but you don’t see me putting a label on that.”
“I lost to you a long time ago. I love you, Annika. I love you to the point I see darkness without you and light only when I’m with you. You’re my sanctuary and the one person who makes me whole.”
