Page 31 of Victor's Lethal Desire
"So then, Victor." Her voice is softer now, but her face is still stern. "What brings you to Sanremo?"
"I come here all the time," I say smoothly, spinning her once before pulling her back.
"Sure you do." Her eyes narrow. "Security is too tight. You'll fail at whatever it is you're doing here."
I lean in close, my lips brushing the shell of her ear. "I'm disappointed. I didn't think you'd underestimate me."
I let my hand slide down her back slowly. I'm checking for weapons, yes, but I'm also lingering on the bare skin exposed by the dress. The heat of her body burns through my fingers, and I feel her breath hitch.
"You know my dress won't hide a gun," she says, her voice tight. "So why are you looking for one?"
"Who says I'm looking for weapons?" I say, letting my hand trail lower before sliding back up.
She looks up at me, one eyebrow arched. "You're very intriguing, Victor. You know that."
I smile. "I've been told once or twice," I say slowly as we turn to the music.
"I mean, I bested you twice, and here you are, with the confidence of a man who's never been beaten. By a woman, no less."
I spin her out and then pull her back in, her body colliding with mine. "Maybe I let you."
"Let me?" She laughs, and the sound is sharp and dangerous and, surprisingly, nice. "That's cute."
She pushes away but I grab her wrist before she can separate.
"It's true. And I'll prove it. I'm here for..."
"Dimitri?" she asks, cutting me off.
I nod, my gaze locking onto her.
She stares at me for a moment. "Figured that, but not sure why. Either way, you really think you'll leave alive?"
"Well, if we're putting it all out in the open, his life is just a bonus now," I say against her ear. "I'm here for that tablet he carries around. I'm going to take it and burn your entire little organization to the ground."
"His what?" She almost stops dancing, her body tensing for the first time since she relaxed.
Interesting.
"It doesn't matter. You're not going to be able to stop it from happening."
"I won't need to." Her voice is cold. "His men won't even blink as they end you. You're dead if you try, Victor."
Another interesting take. She defaulted to his men. Not her. She didn't take up the challenge herself.
Why?
I lean in closer, my lips close to her ear. "Then give a dying man his final wish."
"And what is that?" she asks, her breath catching.
"What's your name?"
She blinks. "Your last wish is to know my name?"
I let my gaze drag over her slowly. "Among other things."
She laughs, and for a moment, she looks away. Then her eyes lock onto mine again, and the intensity in them makes my chest tighten.
