Page 88 of Captured Obsession

“Are you sore?”I ask as I stick my head into the shower, not yet joining her.

She offers me a coy smile and wraps her arms around my neck. “A little, but in a good way. Always a good way.” And then she kisses me, droplets of water hitting me. The kiss is slow and sensual, something I once would’ve taken no part in. But with Sienna, I’m content to go at her pace. Then, with a cheeky grin, she bites my bottom lip.

Before I can step into the shower, my phone buzzes on the counter. When I see the name on the screen, I grudgingly pick it up.

I answer in Russian. “Did you look over the footage I sent you?”

The Wolf replies, “Indeed. The Balmere Club is something I’m interested in, especially if Armani isopen to negotiations about including exotic beasts, and in multiple locations.”

“He’s not happy with your use of a hostage, but he’s open for negotiation, although he refuses to conduct business with someone he hasn’t met with in person.”

There’s a beat of silence, then a whispered conversation, most likely with Mikhail. The Wolf chuckles. “As expected. I’ll come to New York and will meet with him, but first, you are to bring the package to me. She’s my only shield to ensure this isn’t a trap.”

My jaw clenches at his mention of Sienna. But if I act differently than he’s used to, he’ll know my loyalties have swayed. I glance at Sienna, who quietly listens in. I’d rather her not be involved in any of this, but the only way to capture The Wolf is by luring him out.

“You’ve done well on this job, little cub. It’s worked out far better than I originally planned. You’ll be rewarded for your efforts.”

My blood turns cold. Not only at his continued insistence of calling melittle cub, insinuating my ties to my father haven’t been cut, but because he’s still playing his own sick games.

“Bring her to me. Andrei knows where to go.”

I don’t like that I’m not receiving the information directly, but Andrei has worked for him far longer than I have. And Andrei’s loyalty remains with The Wolf, even if he was willing to send us on a suicide mission.

“It goes without saying, but if anything feels off or awry, I will kill you, Nikolai Volkov. With greatpleasure. But when all goes well, who knows? I might permanently promote you within the organization.” And then he hangs up.

My jaw tics as Sienna steps out of the shower, water droplets sliding over her bruised skin. She slips her arms around me and presses her wet, warm body against me.

I look at her through the mirror, this woman I’ve vowed to protect no matter what. And now I’m forced to bring her in front of the man I plan on killing—and hope that nothing goes wrong.

“I’m with you in this, Nikolai. We do this together,” she says with a quiet fierceness that prickles at my every protective instinct.

“I don’t want you there,” I grit out as I start making quick calculations, including how I can use Luca Armani to my benefit.

I’ve only ever served myself. My curiosity for my half-brother is what brought me here, but what’s taken up my focus and consumed me is the woman who looks at me in a way she shouldn’t. Yet I’m willing to gamble everything going forward, just to keep her safe and have her continue looking at me like that.

“This is our problem. If I’m not with you, he’ll kill you. Don’t take away my right to protect you either,” she says, and it fills me with pride as she exposes her fangs. I believe in her, but having her in that situation will take my focus from the end goal. So my plan startsshifting, accounting for how I might be able to get her out as quickly as possible.

I turn to face her and then cup her jaw, stroking it gently. “You will do everything I say.” It’s not a question; it’s a command. “But you’re not going to like what you see.”

“I’ll go through whatever I need to if you’ll be waiting for me at the end.”

God, how I love this woman. I will do anything for her. Which is precisely why I’m ready to take the head of a wolf.

36

NIKOLAI

Andrei wasn’t much of a talker to begin with, but he seems quieter than usual as he drives us to meet The Wolf. I’m not at all surprised that The Wolf has property on the outskirts of New York; he owns properties in many major cities around the world. It’s just a matter of what waits for us there.

I’ve put all the things into place that I need to, in order to ensure Sienna’s safety. She sits in the back seat with Agata beside her. I look in the rearview mirror at the two women, unsettled. They are the only two I have ever cared about, and driving up this long driveway becomes more nerve racking as I swat away the small chance of my perfectly meticulous plan going to shit.

No matter what, I have to keep them safe.

I sense Andrei’s eyes on me. He, of course, is none the wiser to my plans, becausedespite my thoughts on Andrei, this is not the time to test his loyalty to The Wolf. It’s not a risk I’m willing to take.

We pull up in front of the basic-looking mansion. It’s different from his European estates.

I adjust my shirt, as if business is running as usual, as I spot two guards waiting for us. Before I can open the car door, Andrei’s hand on my arm stops me. My body locks up until I realize he’s leaning over to the glove box and pulling out another gun, even though I see the one peeking out of his suit jacket.