23. Chapter 23

23

Dimitri

T he alley fucking stinks. Piss, rot, and failure. A bloody mess lies crumpled where I left him. Stupid khuy thought he could touch what's mine.

My boys slide out of the shadows like the trained soldiers they are. No noise; just grab the sack of shit and drag him to the car. He'll wake up in a world of pain.

I turn back to her. Blyat , she's a sight.

Blood smeared on her cheek like war paint. My dick's already half-hard. Stupid fucking thing, reacting at the worst fucking times.

She's leaning against my car, arms crossed, looking like she wants to set the world on fire. Good luck with that, krasotka .

"Are you fucking going to tell me what's going on, D? Because I can't—"

Movement catches my eye. A shadow by the restaurant door. Shit. Someone's probably calling the cops. Time to go.

"You done bitching, krasotka?" I snarl, cutting her off.

She's in my face in a second. "Bitching? You fucking piece of—"

I grab her arm, squeezing just shy of bruising. "Shut your mouth and use your ears. You're in deep shit now."

"Because of you, asshole!"

"No shit. But crying about it won't save your ass when they come for you."

She tries to jerk away. Cute. "Get your hands off me!"

"Not a chance." I yank her closer, breathing her in. Anger, sweat, and something that makes me want to claim her again. "You're coming with me unless you want them to come for you again."

Her eyes flick to where we threw the man into the trunk of my guy's car. The muffled thumps tell me he's awake. Too bad for him.

Reality's sinking in; I can see it. Good.

"I fucking hate you," she spits.

I bare my teeth. "Get in line, dorogaya."

I yank the passenger door open. "Get in."

She scoffs, face still flushed from our little tussle. Fuck, if it doesn't make me want to pin her against the car and—

"How fucking gentlemanly," she sneers, climbing in like the seat's made of nails.

I growl, slamming the door hard enough to make her jump. Half of me wants to stuff a rag in that smart mouth. The other half… well, it's got ideas, too, just not so fucking polite.

My SUV stinks of leather, gun oil, and the ghost of violence. She crinkles her nose like she's smelling shit. Tough.

"Seatbelt," I bark, leaning over her.

She tries to melt into the seat, but there's nowhere to go. I grab the belt, making sure to brush against her tits as I yank it across. Her breath hitches.

Yeah, you feel that too, don't you, krasotka?

I click it in place, my hand lingering on her thigh. "Wouldn't want you getting banged up if I have to outrun some pigs."

"Go to hell," she hisses, but her voice shakes.

"Only if you're coming with me, Wren," I say flatly, watching her eyes roll in annoyance.

Christ, I can't even hold myself together when she's close. Sukin syn.

I fire up the engine and speed off, just in time to pass a police car that's approaching in the opposite direction.

As we peel away from the curb, I catch her watching me out of the corner of her eye.

"Where are we going?" she demands.

I bare my teeth in what might pass for a grin. "Somewhere safe. For now."

She's mauling her shirt in her fists, tight enough to rip. Clearly, she's pissed.

But there're other troubles brewing — like who the hell are these blyadi hunting me down? Luckily, I've snagged one of the bastards.

That mudak 's shark bait by tomorrow night. My jaw locks, fury burning in my gut. He'll spill his guts about who he's working for, but by then, it won't mean shit. No second chances in this game. He's fucked, and he knows it. The car tears through the fucking darkness.

I flick my eyes over to Wren. Fuck. Even with dirt and blood on her face, she's still hot as hell. Makes me want to do things I shouldn't. Stupid dick's got a death wish, I swear. I snap my gaze back to the road.

Focus, mudak.

She's gone quiet, but I can feel the tension rolling off her in waves.

Damn it, I should've known better. Fucking her was a colossal mistake.

But my body disagrees, remembering how she felt under me, the sounds she made. Blyat , I want her again. Makes me want to punch something. She's nothing but trouble, a weakness I can't afford. But my dick doesn't give a shit about logic. Neither does that annoying ache in my chest when I look at her. Suka , I'm so fucked.

Twenty minutes of blessed quiet, then she opens her mouth. "Can you tell me now what the hell is going on?"

I draw in a sharp breath, my fingers clenching the wheel until they bleach bone-white.

" Blyat . Some big-time mudak 's out for my blood."

"And I'm what, collateral damage?"

"You're leverage," I growl. "They think they can use you to get to me."

She scoffs, but I see the fear flicker in her eyes. "Great. Just fucking great."

I crank the wheel, taking a sharp turn. Trees loom on both sides, their branches reaching out like gnarled fingers. A faint glow of lights appears ahead, growing brighter as we approach.

"D, I need to work," she says, her body jerking as we hit a bump. I press the accelerator harder. "You get that, right? People depend on me."

"I'll handle it," I snap. "You're laying low. Unless you fancy being ‘gator food."

"Fuck tha—"

I shut her up by yanking the wheel again, pulling into a private drive. High walls loom, topped with razor wire.

Wren's gaze darts around. "Look, D, I need to tell my… family I'm not dead in a ditch."

Her words hit me like a sucker punch. Fuck . I hadn't thought about her family. Guilt claws at my gut, but I shove it down. Can't afford that shit right now. I keep my eyes on the garage ahead, jaw clenched tight. No response. Nothing to say that won't make this worse.

I pull into the garage. The door slams shut behind us, the echo bouncing off concrete walls. The engine cuts out, leaving us in sudden silence.

Still in the car, I lean over her. She doesn't flinch; just meets my eyes with a challenge in hers.

I pop open the glove box, the latch clicking loudly in the quiet. The gun gleams dully next to the stack of burner phones.

"Use this," I growl, grabbing a phone. "One call. Make it count."

She takes it coolly, her glare steady. "And then what? You keep me prisoner here?"

"Think of it as a vacation, krasotka . All expenses paid."

"Fuck you," she says, voice hard and controlled. "This is not a fucking joke."

"Who says I'm joking?" I growl. "Listen. I'll handle your work. Tell them you're on leave."

Her eyes flash. "You can't just—"

"I can and I will," I cut her off. "I'll compensate you. Double whatever you'd make."

She opens her mouth to argue, but I press on. "Your siblings. I'll have someone watching them. They won't know."

That shuts her up. She blinks, processing. "You'd do that?"

I nod, jaw tight. "I'll find the mudaks coming after me. You'll be safe here."

She chews her lip, considering.

Blyat , that shouldn't be so distracting.

Finally, she nods. "Fine. But I need to call Em."

I gesture to the phone.

She dials, phone by her eyes. As it rings, her eyes dart to me, wary.

"Em? Yeah, it's me." Her voice softens. "Listen, something's come up. I landed a gig out of town."

She's good. Voice steady, no hint of bullshit. But I see the tension in her jaw, the way her free hand clenches.

"I know, I know. It's short notice, but the money's too good to pass up." She bites her lip, worrying it between her teeth. "You can handle things, right? There's cash in the cookie jar for emergencies."

My eyes lock on that lip, red and swollen now. Blood rushes south. Fuck .

"Love you too, Em. I'll call when I can." She hangs up, letting out a shaky breath.

Suka, where did that come from? "Love you"?

For a second there, she sounded… human. Vulnerable. Not the spitfire I've been dealing with. It throws me off balance, seeing this new side of her. Makes me want things I shouldn't.

"Satisfied?" she snaps, tossing the phone back.

I catch it, our fingers brushing. A jolt goes through me. "Very."

Her eyes narrow, searching my face. "Now what?"

"Now…" I fight the urge to say something stupid. Like sorry. Or that I'll keep her safe. Soft shit I don't do.

But what I'm really fighting is the urge to grab a fistful of that thick, dark hair, yank her close, and devour that smart mouth of hers. To taste her, claim her right here in this fucking garage. My dick's fully on board with that plan.

I clench my jaw, forcing the words out. "Now you get some fucking sleep. Been a long day."