Page 50 of Lilies from Hell

“I wouldn’t call it that.”

“Oh, really? What do you call having someone follow you everywhere, all the time?” I ask sarcastically.

“Lena.” He tries to hold my arm when I get up and walk away from him. Not far enough to be out of reach.

“You’ve been spying on me since who knows when!”

“I’m just trying to protect you.”

“Sure. And that’s why you’re keeping photos of me too?”

“Sit down and let’s talk. Let me explain.”

“I think things are pretty clear between us.” I shake my head with a pout on my lips. “I don’t want you or your so-called bodyguard anywhere near me again. Ever. I don’t trust you.” I see a flash of unhappiness in his eyes, which he quickly hides behind a neutral mask.

“Do you really think I would be capable of hurting you?” My silence is enough for him to understand that I do.

At this point, what else can I believe about him? I don’t even think he’s capable of separating his social relationships from his business dealings. If he had to kill a friend or lover, I’m sure he would do it without hesitation. He would even be capable of killing those who brought him into this world.

“If that were the case, you wouldn’t be breathing right now.”

“I don’t believe you.” His gaze now becomes dangerous as he corners me against one of the many trees there.

“Tell me when I’ve given you reason to doubt me.” I look away, finding it impossible to keep my gaze fixed on his. “My life depends on yours. How the fuck do you expect me to hurt you?”

When he holds my hands in his, a current runs through my stomach, making me squeeze my legs together.

“Even if that were the case, you shouldn’t have done anything behind my back. You should have consulted me first. I’m not a doll you can manipulate at will. And I already have my own bodyguard,” I say, pulling my hands away from his, ignoring the intensity of his eyes and his slight smile.

“Maybe you’re still blinded by whatever is clouding your pretty little head, but soon you’ll realize that you’re more than just a doll I can manipulate. You’re mine, Lena. My slut, my doll, my toy, my life, my everything. You and I are everything, I told you once.” My cheeks burn with his words and his audacity.

“I’m not,” I say more abruptly than I intended, causing him to narrow his eyes at me. “I’m not yours.”

“Don’t make me prove it. You might not get away unscathed this time,” he says in a hoarse whisper, running his tongue over his lower lip. I do the same, staring at his piercing. “Besides, now you’ll have two. I don’t see what the problem is.”

“I don’t want it,” I whisper, my cheeks still red, ignoring the previous topic.

“Whether you want it or not, it’s not something I’m going to change.” My lips pucker in anger, leaving any feelings of modesty behind.

Before I can say anything else, he presses his lips against mine so fiercely that I can’t breathe. My lips part slightly in search for oxygen. He takes advantage of that to slip his tongue inside and move it around my mouth. I didn’t know I was so wet until he presses his knee against my sex. A muffled moan escapes my lips without me realizing it.

It’s not until he pulls away that I realize what’s happening, and my palm flies to his cheek. He’s not the only one confused by my actions, but I try to hide it behind a mask of coldness and anger.

“Stay away from me and my family,” I mutter hesitantly before turning around and walking away.

I always hated it when others made decisions for me. I’ve spent my whole life dealing with the consequences of that. Only hanging out with people my parents approve of, going to places they approve of, or studying what they think is worthwhile. It’s not as if studying law is so bad anyway. In a world where breaking the laws is an everyday occurrence, knowing a little about them is quite useful. Some rules are made to be broken, but every time I wanted to stray a little from them, I had to do it quietly so as not to risk arguing with them. I simply loathe the idea he is also part of that endless cycle.

I lay down in my bed, listening to Grace while I play with the stuffed animal.

“Well, he has a point.” I look at her, raising both eyebrows and stopping to move the ears of my teddy bear. “He had plenty of opportunities to kill you, and with all the power he has, they could get rid of all of us in a single snap. Besides, they need us now to regain their former territories, so it doesn’t make any sense for them to want to kill you.”

“I don’t know, Grace. Something is off,” I say, going back to playing with the ears of my black teddy bear. It’s a gift Jas gave me for my last birthday.

I still don’t understand why they left to Moscow. I know there must be something behind that, and my desire to find out won’t let me rest, but I have no way of finding out exactly what happened, and no one will satisfy my curiosity.

“What happened next?” she asks. I bite my lower lip, trying not to blush.

“He kissed me.”