But it’s all a lie.
I know she’s mad at me, and she’s using this as a ploy to get to me.
“Don’t,” I say.
She hooks her fingers under my shirt and rolls it up, dipping over to lick my skin with her tongue.
Oh, fuck me … I’m so hard right now. How am I supposed to resist?
“I want you so badly, Viktor …” she moans into my ear. I shudder as she licks my earlobe. “Do you want this? It only takes one second …”
She hovers so closely to my lips now, I could almost taste her. All I have to do is lean forward and press my mouth to hers, but she keeps arching her back just far enough so I can’t reach her.
Fucking flirt. She knows exactly how to spin me around her finger.
“Take it all off,” I growl. “Strip for me.”
“Hmm … I’ll do that …” Her finger travels along my chest in a tapping motion. She looks deeply into my eyes while hers flare with a need I can’t quite put my finger on. “… after you tell me what that talk with Winston was about.”
Fuck.
I knew it.
I fucking knew something was up.
“No,” I say, and I push her off me.
Why do I let my dick do the thinking all the fucking time?
“What’s your problem?” she says, as she stands.
“You. You’re trying to fuck your way into me spilling the beans. Well, fuck you,” I growl, willing my cock down while cursing her in my mind.
“Maybe you should’ve told me the goddamn truth then,” she spits. “I know you were talking about me.”
“Yeah, what do you know?” I say.
She folds her arms. “I heard the phone call.”
God-fucking-dammit.
“You eavesdropped?” I rub my face. “Jesus Christ.”
“Yeah, I was listening in to your conversation because I have a right to know when you’re talking about me,” she says, pointing at me. “What were you two talking about?”
“Nothing,” I say, raising a brow.
“Bullshit, I know what I heard. Some guy named Vladim wants to kill you and he knows you have me … so tell me why that name sounds so familiar to me, huh?”
Jesus, when she’s mad, she’s fucking scary. “Listen, Grizzly, I’m not fucking leaving until you tell me what’s going on,” she growls.
I roll my eyes. “Oh, here we go again.”
She stomps her feet. “I know what I fucking heard. Don’t think you can deny it.”
“Oh, I’m not trying,” I say, shrugging. It’s too late for that.
“Something’s not right here …” She starts to pace back and forth in my workroom. “You won’t let me talk to my sister. You say we’re in danger. You talk about people I know … like this Vladim, I just know I recognize that name … And that cop. It’s all connected, isn’t it?”
“Take it easy,” I say. “You’re rambling.”
“No.” She puts her hands against her side. “Tell me. Now.”
“What?”
“Everything,” she snarls.
“Or what?”
She grabs a stool and sits down in front of me. “I’m not leaving until you do.”
“Is that a threat?” I raise my brow.
“Damn right it is.”
My lips can’t help form a smile. “Oh … I’m so scared.”
“You’d better be because I’m not gonna let this rest, and you really don’t want me on your bad side. Trust me.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“I could sit here all day, all night if you want. I’ll talk you crazy if I have to.”
“Please don’t,” I groan.
“Tell me the truth, Viktor. For once, tell me the goddamn truth!”
In a spur, I stand up, tired of this. “Fine! Yes, it’s connected. Happy now?”
“Tell me about the cop. Don’t lie.”
I frown, my fists balling. “He was a snatcher, someone who finds girls and boys who have little to no family, so they can be stolen off the streets. They get trained to obey and do whatever we want … then sold.”
Her eyes widen in shock. “Like … servants?”
I nod. “The cop recognized you because you’re one of them.”
Now, her jaw drops. “I’m … a servant? How?” But then the realization hits her as her fingers suddenly move to the back of her head, right to where the tattoo sits.
“Yes. That’s it, Lexi. You’re one of them. And your sister too.”
She jumps up from her seat and paces around the room. “No …Oh God, Alisha also has that tattoo.” She places her hand in front of her mouth and shakes her head. “You’re wrong. They can’t be bad. My mom is there, I just know she is. I still remember her.”