I nod, and the conversation stops as a waiter brings my cranberry juice. I take a sip and set the glass down to the side, so I don’t accidentally knock it over.
Feeling eyes on me again, I glance at Damien, and instantly his intense gaze clashes with mine. It sends a lightning streak through my body.
“What’s the deal with you and Vetrov?” Adrian asks, drawing my attention back to him.
I shrug and lean back in my chair, trying to look relaxed. “Nothing. He finds me annoying, and I think he’s arrogant.”
Adrian lets out a chuckle as if he doesn’t believe me. “Damien doesn’t waste his time with anyone unless there’s something to gain. I saw the two of you snuggling up while I was kicking Hugo’s ass.”
My eyes narrow on Adrian as I reach for my glass, taking a slow sip of my juice. Once I set it down again, I mutter, “He was disarming me. That’s all it was.”
Another chuckle bursts over Adrian’s lips. “If you say so.”
We stare at each other, and then his eyes drop to the scar on my neck. “Why are you training as a custodian?”
“Why not?” I counter his question.
His lips curve up. “I love a woman with secrets.” Just as I’m about to get uncomfortable, Adrian snaps his fingers in the air. “We should get a drink and toast the fact that you shot Koslov.” He orders two glasses of champagne, then reverts to looking at me. “No one’s been able to do that before.”
“Lucky me,” I mumble. I’m proud of myself, but I’m not about to be arrogant about it.
A server brings the champagne, and Adrian takes a glass. He waits for me to pick mine up, and then he lifts his glass to mine. “Here’s to you getting past Vetrov’s defenses.”
It sounds like his words carry a double meaning, and not ready to think about what it might mean, I down half my champagne.
DAMIEN
Watching Adrian and Winter toast their so-called win, my jaw clenches.
“You keep looking at her,” Carson calls me out. “Has she gotten under your skin, and that’s why I got shot?”
My eyes snap to his. “The game was over.”
Carson glances at Winter. “Is it really over?”
A frown forms on my forehead, and not wanting Carson to doubt me, I mutter, “My loyalty lies with you.”
He pours us each a shot of vodka, and after we’ve downed it, he says, “You should fuck her and get her out of your system.”
Before today, I would’ve been able to tell Carson to go to hell, but after seeing the desire in Winter’s eyes…
I shake my head at Carson, and needing to change the subject, I ask, “Have you heard anything about the auction?”
“Nothing.” He rubs a hand over his day-old stubble. “Everyone’s growing impatient.”
I nod as my eyes find Winter again, and I watch as she takes a bite of her steak.
At first, the fear in her eyes was a turn-on. But after seeing the lust burning in her gaze, it triggered something else in me. Something primal. For the first time in my life, I want to claim a woman. Not for one night. Not for a quick release. I want to own her in every way and bend her to my will. I want to make the Blood Princess kneel before me.
“That’s better,” Carson says, ripping my attention away from Winter. “Now it looks like you want to kill her.”
I suck in a breath of air and pour myself another drink, feeling jarred by the strong desire I feel toward Winter.
This is not good. I need to put an end to it. Maybe I should fuck her and get it over with, so my focus can be on keeping Carson alive.
Movement catches my eye, and I watch as Vince Blanco gets up from his table. When Hugo also gets up, and they leave the dining room together, a frown forms on my face. “See what I see?”
“Yeah. Blanco will probably bid on Lamas,” Carson gives voice to my thoughts.
“They’ll get each other killed. They’re both hotheaded,” I mutter.
I enjoy another two drinks with Carson, and when I get up, I notice Winter leaving the room. Glancing back at the table she shared with Adrian, I see she hasn’t finished her meal, and I wonder if Adrian pissed her off.
Probably. He pisses me off just by breathing.
“See you tomorrow,” I murmur to Carson, and then I leave.
Before I reach the doors, Lucian Cotroni calls out, “Vetrov, a moment.” I stop by his table and raise an eyebrow at him, which has him asking, “Is Carson open for business?”
Lucian Cotroni will take over from his father, who’s the head of the Mafia. You don’t ignore them when they speak. I shrug, “You’ll have to ask him yourself.”
Lucian holds my gaze as he nods. “I’ll do just that.”
Nodding at him, I head toward the door, ready to call it a night. I take the stairs up and walk to my door. As I push it open, a muffled cry grabs my attention. Frowning, I slowly walk down the hallway. I’m just about to pass by Winter’s room when something slams against her door.
Fuck.
For a moment, I hesitate, but then I grab hold of the doorknob and shove the door open. I’m met with Hugo pinning Winter’s arms down on the floor while Vince straddles her.
Anger floods me at the sight, and it has me growling, “Am I late for the party?”
Both men look in my direction, and then Hugo lets go of Winter. Rising to his feet, he says, “This doesn’t concern you, Vetrov. Fuck off.”
Stepping into the room, I shut the door behind me. “Two men against one woman? I think I’ll stay and even the odds.”
My family lives by a code. We don’t kill for pleasure. We don’t rape. We don’t prey on the weak. Anything else is fair game.
“Suit yourself,” Hugo growls, and then he storms me. I move to my left and deliver a kick right into his gut. It sends him staggering backward, and it has Vince climbing to his feet. Hugo regains his balance and storms me again. This time I take the impact of his body. Using his shoulders to brace myself, I bring my knee repeatedly up, delivering blow after blow to his chin and nose until he drops backward.
My eyes snap to Vince. It looks like he’s about to piss himself. Like I said, he’s no fighter.
“You’re choosing the wrong side of this war,” Vince snarls at me.
I just stare at him until he steps over Hugo, trying to get to the door.
Winter struggles to sit up, and she looks out of it.
“What did you do to her?” I growl.
Vince gives Winter a deadly glare. “I just had her drugged. Unfortunately, I can’t kill her. Yet.”
Before I can reign in my temper, my arm shoots out, and I deliver a crushing blow to Vince’s nose. Blood spurts from him like a fountain as he staggers back.
Shock registers on his face, and then he growls, “You’re a dead man walking, Vetrov.” Like the coward he is, he runs from the room, leaving Hugo behind.
I walk to Winter, where she’s still trying to sit up while wiping blood from her lip.
Crouching by her, I say, “Next time, lock your door.”
“I can’t feel… anything,” she mumbles.
I take hold of her chin and lift her face to mine. The first thing I notice is the glassy look in her eyes. Whatever drug Blanco gave her must be taking effect.