Page 53 of Auctioned to My Bratva Boss

I moved forward to drape my jacket over Riley, but Veronica's grip on my arm was iron.

"I..." Riley's voice broke. "I'll go clean up."

She turned, flustered. Then came a sharp ripping sound. The train of her dress tore completely away from the base, the whole panel falling to the floor. She might as well have been exposed.

"How terrible." Veronica lifted her heel off Riley's hem, face innocent.

"What the fuck are you doing?" I abandoned all pretense of partnership, shouting at Veronica.

Everyone around us startled.

By the time I turned back to Riley, that small figure had bolted.

Veronica forced a smile, explaining to the crowd that my reaction was because she'd embarrassed my assistant and damaged Bykov Group's image. I couldn't stomach another word. Veronica's schemes, those leering stares, Riley's humiliation—it all burned in my chest like fire.

"Excuse me. Restroom." I immediately set down my glass and followed.

"Matvey!" Veronica's voice chased after me.

Fuck off.

I tracked Riley's path and finally caught up to her in the hallway leading to the restrooms.

"Riley." I draped my jacket over her shoulders. "I'll take you home."

"Stop pretending!" She wiped at her tears, then threw my jacket on the floor. "This is what you wanted to see, isn't it?"

"That's fucking impossible! I..."

What was she thinking? How could she believe that? Seeing her like this was killing me.

"You've been letting Veronica bully me this whole time!" More tears streamed down Riley's face. She couldn't wipe them fast enough. "I don't owe you anything. This is just a transaction!"

Her words hit my brain like a rush of blood. My pulse pounded with each breath.

I didn't want to hurt her. I was just... keeping my distance. I didn't want her dragged into bratva business. Didn't want her to see me weak.

That was my baggage. I didn't need her to understand.

"I didn't." I pinned her against the wall and kissed her.

I didn't give her another chance to speak. Every word she said right now would only make this worse.

Riley's lips were still so soft. I sucked gently at them, tangled my tongue with hers. My tongue came home. I knew she felt it too. Her fists beating against my chest gradually softened, her body melting into mine.

Damn. Just kissing her got me hard as a baseball bat.

I slipped my hand inside her bra and pinched her nipple. Her body went limp against me.

"Not here..." she gasped.

From now on, that's the only kind of protest I wanted to hear from her.

I kissed the corners of her eyes, tasting her tears with her, sharing that bitter sting.

"You want me." My mouth returned to her lips.

Her taste could last me all day.