Page 24 of Kept By the Bratva

That look. The hard set of his jaw as he eyed me so coldly.

No.

I should have known better. In that lapse of confusing him as a source of comfort, as someone I could rely on for security, I’d lost sight of the one detail he hadn’t lied about.

He worked for his family business, where other employees wanted to sample me too.

“No.”

Tears slipped free as I scrambled to sit up. I bawled, knowing he’d used me, that I’d wanted him to use me, but only for himself.

“No, Nik. Don’t.”

He scowled as he shoved pants on. “What?” Now he looked irritated and annoyed. “Just… shut up.”

“Please, please don’t.”

I sat up, wiping my face and hating that he could trick me to cave so easily. How could I have let him touch me?

He’d gottenhisfill, and now he’d pass me on.

“Don’t—”

He sneered, pulling a shirt on. “Don’t what?” he snapped, so mad.

I didn’t understand how he could switch from passion and hasty lust for me to this spiteful loathing.

“Don’t give me to them.”

“I won’t.”

I felt like he wasn’t understanding me, but I didn’t have a chance to ask.

“There’s food in the kitchen.” With one long, hard look up and down my body, he shook his head and left the bedroom. “The place will be alarmed and locked. Don’t think about going anywhere,” he called out over his shoulder through the hallway.

The slam of the front door, then resounding clicks of locks followed.

I slumped back onto the bed, pulling a pillow close to hug it while my tears wetted my hair and my heart cracked apart into more tiny, irreparable pieces.

What have I done?

When will I ever learn?

11

NIKOLAI

If I ever needed proof that I was a world-class moron, I had it now.

As soon as Amy came, milking my dick like no other woman on this earth could, remorse kicked in. I’d lost my willpower to deny myself. My need for her was too strong. Once I saw the desire shining in her eyes and I recognized the subtle lean she did to inch closer to me like she was drawn to wanting my touch, I didn’t want to deny her what she wanted, either.

It was horrible timing. She’d just been kidnapped, on the verge of being sold through the Cartel’s network. Her life was in limbo, a captive with no control.

She’d witnessed murders, and she saw the span of death that happened under my family’s orders. It shocked her enough for her to remain quiet.

All those traumas had to be weighing on her, but when she kissed me back with such forceful intensity, I took it as the cry for help that she might not have realized she was giving me.

If she was overwhelmed by all that had happened and what she saw, I would distract her from that hell. That was my intention when I saw the depth of confusion and desperation in her eyes. I felt the grip of her body, clamoring for an escape and wishing I could provide it.