Ultimate Vengeance (Wanted Men Book 4)(5)

“If you and Sacha would like to return to the restaurant,” Vasily said. “Our party was just finishing up.”

Sacha shook her head before Sheppard could respond. “Thank you, but we should be going.”

“No.” Rather than drive his fist through another man’s sternum to rip out his still beating heart, Alek rudely gave everyone but Sacha his back. He placed his hands on the car’s roof, boxing her in. She pressed back, as though she didn’t want to come into contact with him. Understandable. The last time she’d seen him, he’d had his hands full of a woman that wasn’t her.

He excluded Sheppard completely by reverting to Russian once more. “I would appreciate a few minutes of your time. We could talk in the car. Vasily’s car,” he specified with a dismissive look at the Mercedes. “Or, if you prefer something more public, we can go into the restaurant. But whichever you choose, it’s time to send him on his way. I’ll make sure you get home.” Preferably their home.

A new tension began crackling in the time it took for her to raise her incredulous stare. The vulnerability surrounding her disappeared and she made a small sound of amusement that wasn’t reflected in her expression.

“Just like that, Alekzander?” She spoke quietly enough so only he would hear. “Your arrogance is astounding if it allows you to believe there would be any point to us sitting down together, no matter the location.” Even exuding such disdain, he’d never seen a woman so fucking beautiful.

“You’re probably right,” he admitted without paying attention to the disappointment tinged with hurt that swiftly moved through him. “Though it doesn’t change the fact that I would like some time with you.”

Apathy stared at him. Hmm. It appeared their time apart had changed more than him.

A slight movement had his gaze falling, and he watched her throat work through a swallow. The urge to scrape his teeth over the silky skin came out of nowhere. “I don’t know how the hell you came to be here tonight, Sacha, but if you think I’m going to let this opportunity go without taking full advantage, then you’ve forgotten who I am.”

“No. And there lies the problem; I have forgotten nothing.”

Shut down. He dropped his arms and retreated. He remembered that tone and knew he wouldn’t get her cooperation this night. Not even if he told her how much he’d missed her. How much he’d missed her smile, the scent of her skin.

I miss the feeling of home you instill so deep in my soul it’s as if I’ve lived with it forever when I know damn well I haven’t.

No. Even then she wouldn’t hear him tonight. While he’d been begging the fates for this opportunity, it looked as if she’d been begging for the opposite.

Again, he understood.

And that meant he was going to have to demonstrate some patience after all by allowing her to leave him. Maks must have Sheppard’s info by now. If not, Alek would get the plates on the Benz and they’d hack OnStar. Bingo. He’d have Sacha’s addy and could work his ass off to be with his woman just like every other guy did. He hadn’t had to do that the first time around, and it would be no hardship for him to do so this time.

Despite what he would consider minor roadblocks, a feeling he’d forgotten existed was settling in. Peace. He’d found her. She was safe. She was unharmed. And she was with him again. That was everything.

He took another step back and even managed a small smile. “I understand,” he said, inclining his head as if in defeat. But before he could prove how gracious he planned on being about the whole thing by opening the car door for her, she made a fatal error.

Alek watched as if in slow motion Sacha move that stunning hourglass figure over and press what was his into Sheppard’s side. After the slightest hesitation, her date encircled his arm around her shoulders and pulled her in.

When Alek’s gaze clashed with gold, there was no denying the expression staring back at him. It was the clearest fuck-you he’d ever seen.

Vasily and Maks came forward at the same time to wedge themselves between Alek and the blasphemous display they’d all just witnessed.

Disappointed that she would do such a thing in front of his people, Alek tsked quietly. “Why would you provoke me in such a way, Sacha?” he murmured, holding her eyes as he brought that target back up when he’d mentally been lowering it because deep down he knew Sheppard didn’t deserve his malice. Or, he hadn’t. Now, Alek squared that bull’s eye on the guy’s chest, and almost as if she sensed where his mind was, his naughty angel paled and looked up at her date with a look of regret.