Page 47 of Black Ledger

I grinned. “Yes, of course you are.” A quiet laugh slipped out. “So how is the party going for you?”

“It’s better now that you’re here.”

My cheeks warmed. I wasn’t used to being flirted with; the Russian boys wouldn’t dare. I was completely off-limits to them.

“It’s hard to hear you over the music.” Chad gestured to the hallway.

I tilted my head toward the music. I guess it was a little loud, but maybe it was worse for him because he was drunk. Chad started walking toward the hallway, then froze. Did he expect me to follow? It was hard to tell from his drunk behavior, but a moment later, he motioned to me to follow him.

I complied because what harm would there be in following a boy into the hallway? Besides, I didn’t always want to be in my siblings’ line of sight. They were nosy and overprotective. But as I glanced back, it was clear they weren’t looking at me at all because Kaz and Nika were raising their voices at each other.

I couldn’t make out the words or figure out what was being said, but Ilya was one step away, ready to step in at a moment’s notice if the argument escalated.

I swung the door open and followed Chad into an empty hallway leading to a suite of downstairs rooms.

“Much better,” he said, his gaze roving over my body. “You’re gorgeous, Sienna.”

Warmth spread in my chest. “Thank you.” I twisted my hair between my fingers because I needed something to do with my awkward hands.

He took a couple of steps toward me. “I would really like to fuck you.”

I shuddered and pressed my lips together. I knew teenage boys were sex-driven, but I never thought they would be that direct. Weren’t they supposed to take you out on a date and get to know you first? Or was this the frat culture I had always seen on TV shows?

Was this normal?

Either way, I didn’t really want to lose my virginity to a drunk Chad.

He leaned closer, planted a hand on the wall beside my head, and backed me farther into it. I frowned.

“Come on, babe, don’t you want to fuck me?” he purred, and my eyebrows drew together. Was that supposed to be hot?

I placed a palm on his chest. “Not tonight, Chad.”

“Why?” he asked with a whine. Which was so unattractive.

“Because I’m not ready.” Heat crept up my neck, and I pushed at his chest. He was surprisingly sturdy.

He stepped in closer, stealing all my space. “I can get you ready.” He dropped his Solo cup on the ground, his beer sloshing over our shoes as his hands circled my waist. Goosebumps rose on my arms, and my heart raced in my chest.

I sucked in a burning breath as shock stirred in my stomach. I wasn’t prepared for someone to ignore my no. I froze. I, Xeniya Morozova, Russian mafia warrior, actually froze. I didn’t know what to do or say. Worse, I let him caress my waist as if he owned me.

“No,” I whispered.

One of his hands slid down to my inner thigh, under my dress. “Don’t worry, babe, you’re going to like it.”

Bile rose in my throat. I certainly didn’t like this. I pinched my eyes shut for a moment as his hand traveled farther up my leg, reaching my panties and slipping beneath the fabric. I stiffened and came back to myself.

I caught his wrist, twisted it, and pulled his hand out of my panties. “I said no, Chad.” I really did not want to hurt a governor’s son, but if he didn’t move away soon and leave me alone, I was going to damage his ability to conceive.

“Oh, come on, baby, let me give you an orgasm. I promise you’ll like it.”

“I said no.” I twisted his arm farther, stopping right before I snapped his wrist. He howled in pain, and I took the opportunity to step back.

“Ouch, bitch. That hurt,” he spat.

I crossed my arms. “You deserved it,” I deadpanned, then turned on my heel and walked—nearly ran—away.

I needed to get away from Chad. I felt sick to my stomach and somehow violated, even though almost nothing had happened. He hadn’t even managed to kiss me. So why did I feel so gross and so wrong—like I had done something? Like I deserved it?