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“Come on, don’t be shy,” the man coos, his gaze roving over her body in a way that makes my blood boil. “I’ve never seen you around here before. Are you new?”
It’s Arlo…an acquaintance, and that just barely.
“None of your business,” she snaps, but he doesn’t back off, stepping closer instead.
“Feisty, huh? I like that.” He smirks, reaching out to touch her arm. “Maybe we could get to know each other better, hm?”
I can feel the rage building inside me, a dark storm cloud ready to burst. This stranger has no right to lay a finger on her, to speak to her like she’s some kind of conquest.
Get your hands off her, I want to roar at him, but my fists clench at my sides, the bratva code holding me back. I need to play this smart, not let my possessiveness rule my actions.
“Is there a problem, Annalise?” I call out, my voice steady despite the fury coursing through me.
“Ah, Cassius Volkov,” the man says with a smirk as he turns his attention to me, recognition dawning in his eyes. “I didn’t realize she was with you.”
“Then step away,” I say coldly, my eyes locked on his. “Now.”
“Of course, of course.” He raises his hands in mock surrender before flashing Annalise a wink and backing off a step.
Without another word, I wrap my arms around Annalise’s waist, pulling her against me possessively. The electric current between us is undeniable, her body melding perfectly into mine.
Arlo’s laughter echoes through the room, grating on my nerves and drawing my attention back to him. The smug expression on his face is enough to make my fists clench.
“Quite the possessive act, Cassius,” he taunts, eyeing Annalise with a predatory interest that makes my blood boil. “Where’s Damian tonight? I was hoping to see him.”
“Damian’s unavailable,” I reply tersely, keeping my arm around Annalise.
“Ah, how boring,” Arlo muses, an unsettling smile playing on his lips. “Why don’t we make this evening more interesting, then? A game of high-stakes poker, perhaps? And let’s not forget about the lovely lady here.” He gestures toward Annalise with a wicked grin. “She can be the prize for the winner.”
I lock eyes with Arlo, refusing to let him see the storm of emotions roiling within me. On one hand, I’m disgusted by the idea of putting Annalise up as a prize; she deserves so much better than that. On the other hand, I know I can’t reveal our true relationship, and I’m confident in my ability to win the game and keep her safe.
“Fine,” I say coldly, gritting my teeth. “But you’ll regret it when I walk away with her at the end of the night.”
“May the best man win, Volkov,” Arlo replies, raising an eyebrow as he saunters off into the crowd.
“Explain to me how you could agree to such a demeaning arrangement,” Annalise demands, her voice sharp and unforgiving. “What gives you—or anyone else for that matter—the right to gamble with my life like I’m some sort of prize?”
I hate seeing her like this, but I know she deserves an explanation. Taking a deep breath, I meet her piercing gaze. “Annalise, the poker game…it’s a tradition among the bratva elite,” I confess, my voice steady. “But I assure you, the Volkovs never lose. I’ll do whatever it takes to ensure your safety and well-being.”
Her eyebrows furrow as she processes my words, and I can see the conflict in her eyes. She wants to believe me, but the weight of the situation is heavy on her shoulders.
“Trust me, Annalise,” I plead, my heart aching for her. “I will win this game, and everything will go back to normal. We’ll leave tonight, and none of this will ever touch you again.”
She studies me for a moment, her eyes searching mine for any trace of deceit. I can only hope that she sees the sincerity and determination behind my words. The silence stretches between us, each passing second feeling like an eternity.
“Alright, Cassius,” she finally says, her voice softening. “I trust you.”
Her words affect me more than they should.
As we walk toward the opulent poker table, I notice the other men’s eyes on her, their gazes predatory and calculating. A surge of possessiveness courses through me, making my blood boil. I want nothing more than to wipe the smirks off their faces and show them that Annalise is mine.
22
ANNALISE
The dimly lit room pulses with an undercurrent of power, like a live wire threatening to spark at any moment. I can feel it in the air, thick and electrifying, as I stand surrounded by some of the most dangerous men I’ve ever encountered. Their gazes, heavy with unspoken intentions, send shivers down my spine.
“Relax,” Nikhil murmurs into my ear, his warm breath dancing along my skin. “You’re safe with us.”
