Page 3 of His Forbidden Obsession

“No. I’m not, and neither is Remington.”

He sighed dramatically. “I suppose I can spare a few moments to talk.”

Before I could respond, movement caught his attention, and he stared out the window. “That’s my son out there.”

I nodded. If he’d seen me staring at Nikolai, there was nothing I could do about it. “He’s a fortunate young man to have secured Miss Ivanov as his bride.”

Dimitri chuckled, but there was no mirth in the sound. “She’s a rebellious little bitch. I’m the fortunate one. It’s an alliance I’ve worked hard for.”

He wanted me to argue, but I wasn’t going to take the bait, no matter how disgusted I was that he’d describe his son’s fiancée that way. “Isn’t your son enjoying the party? Did he need to escape?” Dimitri looked ready to explode, but he held himself in check. “He likely needed a moment to recover from the excitement of my announcement, just like you did.”

“I was surprised to see him after the toasts. I thought you’d send him away after the toast since you don’t want him involved in your sordid business dealings.” As if I believed that bullshit he’d spewed when Nikolai and his mother were sent away. Dimitri didn’t give a fuck about protecting Nikolai. He was being used as a pawn.

Dimitri glared at me. “Tonight is for celebrating, not for business.”

“Once he’s married, will he take an active role in your endeavors?”

“His role in my business is none of your concern.”

“Of course not. I was merely curious. He seems like such a polite young man, I can only imagine what living with the Ivanovs will be like for him.”

The glare Dimitri gave me was meant to intimidate, but it did the opposite. It made me want Nikolai even more. I turned back to the window, taunting Dimitri by watching Nikolai again. Had he ever been with a man? Was he willing to admit what he wanted? Did it matter?

I could be very convincing. But I also knew the consequences of indulging myself.

Since the night I’d been betrayed and then arrested, I’d kept my hands and my dick out of places they shouldn’t be. I’d played the game like a master, protecting my family, building our wealth, never putting my needs ahead of theirs. Was Nikolai worth breaking that promise I’d made to myself?

He turned and looked at the window as if he felt me watching him. His father gestured for him to return to the terrace. He nodded, but he walked backward for several steps, keeping his gaze on mine. My cock stirred. What was it about him that had me salivating? I didn’t know, but I wanted to find out.

“Nikolai has been sheltered,” Dimitri said. “I didn’t want him tainted when I offered him to our allies.”

Holy fuck, had he never been touched? Would I be the first man he’d kissed? This only got more tempting the more I learned. It also made me more furious with Dimitri for denying Nikolai the life he should have been living for the past four years. From what I understood, he’d barely been allowed to leave the apartment he and his mother shared in Chicago.

I knew better than to take things with Nikolai any further. I couldn’t risk my family. I shouldn’t damage the alliance Remington wanted to pursue, but no one would have to know, would they? I could play with Niko, be satisfied with my silent revenge, then walk away. I’d get him out of my system, and he’d have a chance to experience someone less chilling than Ivanov. He deserved that, didn’t he? I wouldn’t hurt him. I couldn’t say the same for his future father-in-law.

I had to know if the arrangement was exactly what I thought. “So Ivanov prefers his men untouched?”

“Stay away from my son.” Dimitri took a step toward me, and I was prepared to defend myself. I could take Dimitri in a fight, and I had my gun in easy reach. I’d managed to hide it well enough to go undetected by Dimitri’s guards.

“What about Alina? Who is she really for?”

“It’s only out of respect for your cousin that I’m not ending you here and now. Insult me or Ivanov again, and you will be sent back to your family in pieces. If you so much as look at Nikolai again, you’ll wish all I’d done was hack you apart.”

I nodded, indicating I’d heard his warning but never speaking the words. I didn’t make promises I had no intention of keeping.

What about the promise to never put your desire over the needs of your family?

I hadn’t broken it yet.

So you’re going to walk away? You’re not going to look for Nikolai later tonight?

If I had any sense, I would, but I’d been sensible for too damn long.

Later that night, I wandered outside. I desperately wanted another bourbon instead of my glass of soda water, but I knew better than to get drunk in Dimitri’s presence. He might need my family’s business for now, but I’d provoked him. If I pushed him hard enough, he might forget that Remington wouldn’t appreciate him putting hands on me. I couldn’t let my guard down until I was back at home.

I wondered where Nikolai was now. I sat on the bench in the rose garden, wishing he’d appear there again. The buzz of conversation from the house was annoyingly loud, even out here.

The party was as insufferable as I’d expected it to be. Like I’d predicted, everyone there had an agenda. They all wanted something from Dimitri or one of the other attendees. The dinner was mediocre at best. I could have done much better myself, and my cook would have blown Dimitri’s out of the water.