by Rina Kent
That he didn’t haphazardly pick Knox without a reason.
“What…did he do?”
“Put his nose where it doesn’t belong. If you want him safe, make him lose or drop the case. Either would work.”
“He won’t listen to me. We’re just casual, so neither of us is important to the other.” I lie through my teeth.
“I’ll be the one who decides that. Play your part and be smart about it, Anastasia. If you do, I might let you come back without shedding any blood.”
26
KNOX
An ominous feeling has been metaphorically crushing my windpipe for the past hour.
So I called my family. Teal, Dad, my foster sister, Elsa, and even that grumpy fucker Agnus, Dad’s husband, who raised me and my twin sister.
Everyone seemed safe.
Unless they lied to me?
I have a weird sense of intuition. I always have, ever since I realized that it’s possibly the only thing that’s able to save me.
That aside from myself, no one will stand up for me, no one will give me what was taken. So I had to rely on my sixth sense more often than not, and it’s that intuition that saved my arse more times than I can count. It’s what made me escape with my skin unscathed.
So I don’t ignore it.
Ever.
I think about calling Dan to make sure he’s all right, but fuck that wanker. I’m still contemplating the best way to get back at him for what he insinuated today.
My blood boils just thinking about him near Anastasia. If he so much as touches a hair on her head, I might as well quit being a lawyer and become a criminal.
So, no, I won’t complain if he meets his maker sooner rather than later.
Besides, he’s definitely not the reason behind the clenching and unclenching of my chest or the fucking twist in my heart.
I refuse to think about why I’m here, in front of Anastasia’s flat, when I’m supposed to be in a meeting, but I am.
Here.
And the feelings are escalating to dangerous heights.
There’s no way in fuck I could concentrate in that meeting when my ribcage was about to burst open. Aside from my family, there’s only one other person who could be the cause of this reaction.
I use the spare key she gave me a while back and open the door slowly. For some reason, it feels as if I shouldn’t make any sudden movements.
The lock is a bit crooked and I pause at that, but only for a second, before I step inside.
The flat is dark, silent, which is different from usual, or at least, ever since I started coming here on a regular basis. On normal nights, Anastasia would either be singing along to her favorite old songs in a low voice, or she’d be silently listening to them while typing away on her laptop. Either way, the music would be blasting.
None of those scenarios are present. There’s no music or typing sounds that I’m starting to only associate with her.
The defective silence slowly gives way to something more frantic and ominous. As if someone is rummaging through things.
Sure enough, when I stride to the closet, I find her shoving clothes into a bag, her face flushed and her movements sporadic.
I hit the light switch. “What are you doing?”
Anastasia jumps, her wild eyes meeting mine. She’s not wearing the glasses tonight and she appears so young and fragile, like a rose that can be broken with a single touch.
Her chest rises and falls with heavy breaths that she doesn’t seem to be able to control.
“Knox.”
My name is a haunted whisper on her lips, a sound that she doesn’t seem to be able to control.
She clears her throat. “Shouldn’t you be in a meeting?”
“It’s over.” Lie. I left early, feigning an emergency, and from what I’m seeing, I’m glad I did. “Where are you going?”
She swallows a few consecutive times, her blunt nails digging into the strap of the bag. “Away.”
“Away where?”
“Just away. I’m leaving.”
The dooming feeling from earlier crashes against my ribcage and a blind sense of anger spreads throughout my bloodstream. “Like fuck you are.”
“You can’t tell me what to do.”
“Well, I am. And you’re not going anywhere, Anastasia.”
“This whole thing was only meant to be temporary.”
“This whole thing?”
She throws her hands in the air. “The sex, the arrangement, me being here. All of it. I was never meant to stay.”
“Well, I’m telling you that you will stay, whether you like it or not.”
Moisture gathers in her lower lids. “You…don’t understand.”
“I do, perfectly. You’re running away again, just like you ran from your previous life, because that’s what you do best, right? Leaving. Running. All the fucking time.”
She releases the bag, letting it fall to the ground, and barges in front of me. “You don’t have the right to stand there and judge me when you have no clue about my life.”
“And whose fault is that? You’re the one who’s hiding on top of running.”
“That’s none of your business.”
“I’m making it my business, my little liar. Did you really think I’d stand by and let you run as if I never happened?”
“You should.”
“Think again, beautiful. Do you know me to be the type who gives up? Ever?”
Her shoulders hunch as she comes to the same conclusion herself. We might have been together for only a few weeks, but she knows me better than anyone else.
She knows I wouldn’t let it go.
“Why don’t you tell me what’s going on instead of choosing the running route?”
“I can’t.” She sounds so pained, so defeated, as if the weight of the world has settled on her slender shoulders.
So I soften my voice, “Does it have something to do with your family?”
“You don’t need to know.”
“So it does.” I pause. “Is that why the lock was messed up. Was someone here?”
She stiffens. “N-no.”
“You’re such a bad fucking liar. Who was here?”
“No one.”
My hand shoots out and wraps around her throat. It’s so I can attach myself to her, to keep myself from letting my anger loose, because that motherfucker is on the verge of burning everything in its path as we speak.
Her eyes snap to mine and even though they’re brown and fake, the emotions behind them aren’t. There’s a multitude of them, rising and falling in the favor of others. I don’t recognize them all, but I recognize the most prominent one—fear.
Not of me—or at least, I hope not.
But it’s there and it’s eating at something inside her.
And inside me.
I never thought I would ever be attuned to another human being other than my twin sister. Never thought I’d feel her emotions before she’s even aware of them herself.
But at this moment, right here, I know, I just know that I would do anything to make these emotions go away.
“Anastasia, I’m on your side here, so don’t make me force you to speak. Who was here?”
“No…one…” It’s a whisper now, a haunted one at that.
My hold tightens on her, the pads of my fingers digging into the sensitive flesh of her pale throat. When I speak, it’s in a low warning tone. “Anastasia…”
“Just leave me alone, Knox.” A tear slides down her cheek. “Let me go.”
“No.”
“Why? Just why the hell do you keep holding on to me?”
“Because I’m not done with you.” And I probably never will be. But I don’t voice that thought aloud in case it would freak the hell out of her as fast as it’s growing roots inside me.
“What if I’m done with you?”
“You’ll have to mean that first, and even if you are, I’ll win you over again.”
“Even if I hurt you?�
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“Even if you hurt me.”
“You’re not supposed to say that.” Her tears soak her cheeks unchecked.
“Then what am I supposed to say?”
“That you won’t let me or anyone hurt you.”
“I won’t.”
She swallows. “Promise.”
“I promise. I also promise that no one will hurt you under my watch.”
Her lips part, then she swallows thickly. “I never asked for your protection.”
“You’ll get it anyway.” I release her throat. “Now, continue packing, because you’re coming with me.”
“W-what?”
“I’m not leaving you in a place someone broke into, Anastasia. You’ll be safer with me.”
“But…”
“No buts. This is not up for negotiation.”
“You…don’t have to do this for me.”
“Who said it’s only for you? I get to fuck you anytime I like, so I have advantages as well.”
She smiles a little through the tears, even though it’s sad, even though the fear isn’t completely gone. But I’ll make sure to make it go away if it’s the last thing I do.
Because Anastasia is mine and I protect what’s mine.
27
ANASTASIA
When Knox said I was coming with him, I knew he’d take me to his apartment. He’s often suggested that I pay him a visit, but I always change the subject.
Why?
Because it’s too close, too intimate, and I won’t be able to keep the distance I’ve been fruitlessly trying to maintain between us.
And now, it’s worse.
It’s dangerous.
Fatal.
For his life, not mine. Despite everything, I’m still the Pakhan’s daughter, I’m still of value one way or another.
I’m one of them. The mafia men I often called pirates because once they came into my life, my childhood fantasy of being the forest fairy ended.
Knox is an outsider, an antagonizing one at that, and Adrian wouldn’t hesitate to eliminate him from his path. He’d erase him from the world as if he never existed. He wouldn’t be fast and swift about it either; he’d torture him first, until he wishes for death.
The images that play in my mind make me sick to my stomach and I have to place a hand on it to stop myself from vomiting.
But no matter how much I begged Knox to let me stay in my apartment, it didn’t make a difference. He merely threw me over his shoulder, took my bag and laptop case, then carried me to his car.
The drive to his apartment was mostly me arguing that I’m fine, and him ignoring me. I’m starting to learn that the moment he makes a decision, no one will be able to convince him otherwise.
Then, the second we stepped into his apartment, he grabbed me by the throat and fucked me against the door from behind. It was fast and dirty and I still haven’t been able to catch my breath.
Even now, as I lie on the sofa, I’m still dizzy, a bit disoriented. Which happens all the time after sex with Knox.
He has a mysterious ability to wipe my mind clean. It’s like we’re transported to an alternate reality where only he and I exist.
But I shouldn’t let that happen.
Not when Aleksander is probably watching me and could interfere any second and smash every ounce of happiness I’m feeling or trying to soak up.
But I’ll leave soon. One day, I’ll have to.
However, that day isn’t today.
Since I didn’t have the chance to check out his place earlier due to obvious reasons, I do that now.
My gaze flits around the glamorous apartment—sorry, penthouse. Of course someone like Knox would live in a penthouse. Not only is it on the highest floor of a building in the heart of the city, but it also has a dreamy view of New York.
The furniture and decor are classy and elegant, but they scream impersonal. As if he just paid someone to put things in place to get it over with.
It must be lonely to live such a glamorous life with no personal touches. I’m one to talk, considering my whole life has been dictated.
At least Knox has complete hold of his.
“Are you cold?” he asks from his position on the chair, looking up at me as his fingers pause on his laptop.
He still has work to do, but he told me not to move or put on anything—after he stripped me bare at the entrance while he remained fully clothed, as usual.
I can actually count the number of times I’ve seen him fully naked on one hand, and that was mostly in the shower. He has a lean but very muscled body, and it’s a shame to hide it and those gorgeous tattoos.
He told me to lie naked on the sofa opposite him and not make a sound while he works.
“I’ll be done with this in ten minutes, then I’m coming for round two,” is what he said.
I shift and bite my lower lip when I feel his cum pouring out of me and messing up my thighs. “Not too cold.”
He unbuttons his shirt and my eyes take in the perfection of his muscled chest and cut abdomen, then I focus on the samurai tattoo, the dark warrior that’s fascinated me since that first time I woke up beside him.
It’s like I’m staring at another facet of Knox, a part that he doesn’t like to show often.
Or ever.
The intricate design swirls around his shoulder and over his chest, and it’s like there are wires wrapped around him and the warrior.
I wonder if that has a meaning or if he just did it for the aesthetics. For some reason, I don’t believe he’d get that tattoo just because it looks good.
“When did you get your tattoos?” I ask, laying my head on my propped hand.
He continues unbuttoning his shirt. “Some in secondary school, but the bigger ones were after I left London or I would’ve risked being murdered by my dad.”
I smile a little at his tone. He always sounds so different and carefree whenever he speaks about his family—which can’t be said about me. “Is there a reason you chose a samurai?”
“I wanted something that represents strength, and from the sketches the artist made, I liked this the most. Probably because of the black eyes, though. They hinted at hidden darkness.”
“How about the wires?”
“No matter how strong one is, there’s always something that holds them back.” A distant look covers his eyes—pain, or memories sprinkled with pain.
I want to ask more, to learn about what possibly could hold someone like him back, but I don’t have the chance before he throws the shirt my way.
“Does this mean I can go to sleep?” I tease.
“Fuck no. I’ll be with you in a minute.”
“I thought I had to be naked for that.”
“You do, but I don’t want you cold either, so you can wear that.”
I smile, putting on the shirt that swallows me and falls to the middle of my thighs. I have to roll the sleeves up to reveal my hands.
When I look up again, Knox’s eyes have darkened as they watch me with intense focus. His fingers still hover over the keyboard without typing and his jaw is clenched tight.
I sit up in case I’ve done something wrong, and that makes more cum coat my thighs because he totally didn’t let me wash up. “W-what?”
“From now on, you’ll either be naked or wear my shirt. No in-between.” There’s a raw possessiveness in his tone, a non-negotiable quality that robs me of breath.
“I can’t just wear your shirt all day.”
“No, but you can be naked.”
“Indoors.”
“For now.”
“For now?”
“I’ll find an outdoor place where you can be naked for me and only me.”
“Pervert.”
He stands up, and even though it’s not too abrupt, my heart lunges to my throat and I can’t help rubbing my thighs together.
It’s so rare to see him in his half-naked glory. His tattoos aren’t for show like they are for many people. Even the leaders of the Bratva
consider it an honor to showcase their tattoos and explain what each one means, especially if it’s related to the brotherhood.
That’s not the case for Knox.
They seem to exist only for him.
He hovers over me, looking larger than life, but that doesn’t last too long when his body slowly lowers to mine.
My palms flatten on his shoulders and I suck in a sharp breath at how good he feels, shirtless, just for me.
Showing his tattoos only to me.
I never thought such a trivial thing would make me so elated, so ethereal.
“Aren’t you supposed to be working?” I ask in a low voice, stroking my fingers on his skin like a junkie who’s toying with a drug before inhaling it.
“Not when you’re distracting as bloody hell.” He reaches a hand between my legs and a deep grunt leaves him when his fingers are coated with both our arousal. “Fuck, beautiful. Mmm. This might be my new favorite thing.”
Before I can ask what that is, he gathers his cum with two fingers and thrusts inside me. A moan rips out of me, though it shouldn’t.
I shouldn’t be feeling this turned on by the act of him smearing his seed inside me, but I am and the guttural sounds that leave me are foreign to my ears.
He does it leisurely, fucking his fingers inside me with purpose.
“You look fucking beautiful with my cum in this tight cunt.”
“Please…”
“You want more?”
My nod is barely intelligible, but he catches it and he’s about to flip me to my stomach. This is what he does when he fucks me, always from behind.
I’m used to it after all this time, but I don’t want that now. I don’t want the distance.
I want him to show me the rest of him as he did with his tattoos.
I want him. Period.
So I dig my short nails into his skin, holding on to a hope I shouldn’t be having.
I’m hoping and buzzing with wishes that have no place in whatever relationship we have.
His hand finds my hip, which is his cue to turn me onto my stomach. My nails dig into his skin and I slowly shake my head.
The thrusting of his fingers slows until it’s an agonizing ache that’s torturous. But his features darken, his eyes turning a molten hazel that’s the weirdest I’ve seen.