The Kidnapping of Roan Sinclair

by Ashlyn Drewek

It took him a couple seconds to realize I was awake. “What the fuck are you looking at?” he snapped. A Russian god sent to torment me? Literally.

“Is he supposed to be like the bogeyman?” I chuckled at Ivan’s wide-eyed expression. He shook his head emphatically. “He’s worse.” The seriousness with which he answered gave me goosebumps. Terrified. I was officially back to being terrified. “How so?” Ivan blinked solemnly. “He’s real.”

“So you cut someone’s fingers off?” “I would have cut off every piece of him if it meant getting you back.”

“You can’t help who you love any more than you can help how tall you are or what color your skin is. It’s not a fucking choice, it just is.”

Resting my forehead against his, I closed my eyes, keeping my hands on either side of his face. “I’m not going anywhere, Solnyshko.”

“I need to call the police!” “Never call the police. You have a problem? I’ll take care of it.”

“So you’re kidnapping me again?” He shot me a look out of the corner of his eye, smirking. “Think of it as… sleepover.” “You’re not funny,” I huffed, slinking down in my seat and crossing my arms.

mouth from mine and fixing me with one of his piercing looks, the kind that saw straight to my soul. “Yes?” I blinked and nodded, despite the fact I was still trying to work out what, exactly, he was saying. “From now on, you are mine,” he repeated in a growl. The words reverberated from his chest into mine, solidifying that they were real and not just my imagination. “No one else’s. Do you understand?” “I’m yours,” I agreed in a stunned whisper.

“You don’t know what she said.” “Sticks and stones, man.” “You’re saying I should stone her to death or beat her with a stick?”

“I’m going to kill them,” Sasha announced, lifting his head. “I promise you, Roan. I’m going to kill every single one of them.” I knew he would. Too bad he wouldn’t start with me.

“Solnyshko,” Sasha whispered, dipping his head even lower to try and catch my gaze. “Please.”

Finally, I gave him what he wanted — I looked at him. He didn’t say anything. He didn’t have to. The look in his eyes said it all. Fury, agony, despair. Not pity. Not disgust. The world tilted. My vision blurred until Sasha was nothing more than a wash of color. Tremors wracked my body. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t move. It wasn’t until Sasha’s arms wrapped around me that I knew I’d fallen. I buried my face into his shoulder, trying to muffle my sobbing against him. He stood up, holding me upright with one arm around my torso. His other hand alternated between holding the back of my head and running his fingers through my hair.

The corner of his mouth lifted into a dark smile. There was a visible glimmer in his eyes unlike anything I’d ever seen. The Wolf was off the leash and those motherfuckers had no idea what hell was coming for them.

Ivan learned I kept my word. I took him apart, piece by piece. Toes, feet, sections of his legs, his dick, his balls, the rest of his fingers. The pieces were piled up in a heap, coagulated blood forming a dark red puddle around them. Between the trimming, I took the time to electrocute him, leaving burn marks over his torso, so I knew he felt the pain in every molecule of his body. Electricity was excruciating — I knew from personal experience — but it didn’t kill him.

Dying with the memory of his lips on mine was all the comfort I needed. I’d kiss him in front of Sergei and happily take the punishment for both of us if it meant sparing Roan’s life.

“I kneel for no one,” I repeated, gazing up at Roan, “except the one I love.”

“Apparently his nephew runs a theater and he’s looking for a new composer. Thanks to all your stalking, Sergei saw my senior showcase. I guess he was impressed.” Was this really fucking happening right now? Not only were we both alive, miraculously, but Roan used our near-death experience to fucking network?!

“What about the others? This won’t be a popular decision. I’m surprised Dimitri went along with it.” Misha chuckled. “After the mess we found at the Birdcage, I don’t think you have to worry about anyone saying anything. If someone is stupid enough to complain or try anything” — he gestured to Roan — “feel free to remind them who you are.”

“I already told you — I’m a wolf too. It’s easier to survive when you have a pack.” His bright gaze returned to mine, looking pleased with himself. My jaw about hit the sidewalk. “You’re telling me you…?” He winked and reached for the door handle.