Page 16 of Surprise Bratva Daddy
"I'd rather show you the bedroom," I reply. "I have a bathing suit there for you already. We could take a swim in the pool."
"Just for a moment. It's so beautiful," she says, hanging on the doorway like I'm going to yank her away from it. "Maybe I'll agree to the pool thing after you show me your books."
"It's my pleasure," I say, nodding and leading her toward the library. I didn't expect her to be interested in books, but maybe it's a good thing. She'll be less likely to cause trouble if she has something to read.
I let her walk inside ahead of me. It's been ages since I've shown anyone my private book collection. There are thousands of titles, most of which I've read. Some of them are in Russian, but most are English. I've spent a lot of time polishing up my language skills.
"Wow," Monroe says, her voice echoing around the massive room. There are bookcases built into every wall, and each is filled from top to bottom with hardbacks. "Are these all yours?" she asks.
"Every single one. I have a system of organization, so you can feel free to browse as much as you'd like. Most of the books have been read, but a few are still waiting," I reply, watching her wander around the room. She reaches out and touches the spines of the books, admiring them like they're paintings instead of just text.
"So beautiful," she says.
"They are," I agree, stepping up behind her and placing my hands on her hips. Her curves are addicting, and I find myself quickly forgetting about why she's really here. I just want her. I want her so badly that it hurts.
I slide my hand around her waist, pressing against her midsection and pulling her back into my body.
She gasps, leaning her head back and gazing up at me with those wide, beautiful eyes. "What are you doing?"
"Just holding you," I say.
"Why?"
"Because you're gorgeous, and I like touching you. It makes me feel good," I say, moving my lips down toward hers.
"Stop," she says, putting a finger up between our mouths. "I've already told you, that's not happening. I don't want you."
I chuckle, shaking my head. "I've seen the way you respond to me. You can't lie. Your body is telling me everything I need to know."
"The only thing you need to know is the information on that flash drive," she snaps, pulling away from me and frowning. "And you're not going to get it by acting that way. I want safety, and I don't feel safe with you acting this way. I feel like you're trying to take advantage of my situation, and it's disrespectful."
She says that like I would care about the rules and moral codes regular people abide by. But I'm a Bratva boss, as ruthless as they come, and she needs to learn that. She might think she's special, but she's not.
"I could have taken advantage of you already," I reply, stepping toward her again. "But I didn't. I let you change into that robe, and I brought you here. I have shown you more hospitality than I should have. If you want me to treat you like the other men would, you are welcome to go home and die."
She pulls away from me, shaking her head in disgust. "You're a monster."
"A monster who's offering you safety instead of letting you die."
"Only so you can get information out of me. Otherwise, you'd leave me to Maksim."
I laugh dryly. "Do you really think that's the type of man I am?"
She crosses her arms, glaring at me. "Absolutely."
"You're wrong, Monroe. So wrong," I reply, leaning back against a bookshelf. "But you'll see. I'll show you what you're missing once you reveal that information to me. I could give you the world."
"I don't want the world. I want my house, my old life back, and I want to be normal. None of that is possible with you," she says, her voice turning from an angry growl to a desperate plea. She's mourning the loss of her previous life, but there's nothing either of us can do to get it back. That chapter is over. Her new life is with me.
"Don't worry, darling," I say, stepping toward her and brushing her hair back over her ear. "I'll take care of you. Come. Let's get into the pool. You'll feel better once you're in the water."
She sighs, relenting and allowing me to put my arm around her and guide her back out of the library. We walk silently to the bedroom. Even though she's upset, I want her. I've never felt quite so obsessed with anyone, but I can't stop thinking about how she would look in that bikini.
Meanwhile, she's suffering, and I'm the one who did this to her. I twisted her life into a nightmare, and now I'm trying to get her to sleep with me. It's bizarre just as much as it is natural for my cruel heart.
11
Monroe
