“I was there,” she hisses. “You were high as a kite.”

  I take a step back. I need to get out of here. “That isn’t what happened.”

  Turning for the door, I take a step when Rick cuts me off by sliding in front of me. “You’re not trying to leave, are you? Don’t you have a check for me?”

  My eyes fly to Trip, and his brow is lowered. His casual demeanor is gone, and he’s looking from Natasha to Rick to the man sitting at the bar. Rainey is nowhere to be seen, and my plan has turned into an ambush.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” My voice grows louder as I force myself to be strong. “I didn’t kill anyone. I couldn’t.”

  “Yet you had the motive and the opportunity.” Rick reaches out, but before his hand lands on me, a deep voice slices the air.

  “Don’t touch her.” Scar enters the room, and my heart jumps in my chest.

  “You.” Natasha lashes.

  My feet move before my brain can register. I run straight to Scar, wrapping my arms around his waist and tucking my head into his chest.

  “You’re here.” My voice is lost in the violent beating of my heart.

  A soft rumble vibrates his chest, and he wraps a strong arm around me, moving me to his side while keeping me close.

  Strength filters through me as I hold onto my savior. He helps me stand taller, lifting my chin to face my enemies. I look from a scowling Natasha to a curious Rick to Trip, who inhales deeply and resumes his casual demeanor.

  “I need a whiskey.” He starts for the bar.

  “You’re taking her home.” Scar’s voice is level, and Trip makes a U-turn, sauntering back to where we stand.

  “I want to stay with you.” It’s a quiet request, and he looks down, the warmth in his eyes removing all my fear.

  “You need to go now. I’ve got business here, then I’ll come to you.”

  His deep voice fills me with so much longing, I wrap my arms around him once more, and he kisses the top of my head, inhaling like he always does.

  Closing my eyes, I hold him a beat longer, not wanting to let him go. He slides his hand up and down my back, and I do as he says.

  “I’ll see you in a little while.” Then taking Trip’s arm, I follow him up the stairs.

  28

  Scar

  My gun is ready at my chest, and I wait until I’m sure my beautiful girl is out of the pit before turning to face the snakes. “Why are you framing Hana for Victor’s death?”

  Natasha’s eyes narrow, as she studies me. “What do you know about it?”

  “More than you, apparently.”

  Rick steps closer. “You’re familiar. Who do you work for?”

  “Myself, now take me to Simon.”

  “No need.” The voice I know so well, echoes from behind me. “As they say about those clowns, I’m already here.”

  Turning quickly, I face my old master.

  “So the prodigal has returned.” His dead blue eyes don’t move as he chuckles. “I thought it would be more difficult, but what do they say about providing enough rope?”

  “I’m not your son.”

  “A son would be more grateful. At least I hope. You on the other hand are a recurring nuisance.” He glances at Natasha. “Ask him again about Victor’s death.”

  Natasha’s black eyes turn to me, but I don’t wait for her to follow his orders.

  “When I found out what Victor did to Hana, I made a special trip to his loft in Manhattan. He was surprised to see me, so I brewed his favorite tea.”

  “You killed him?” Her upper lip curls like she smells something foul, and for a moment, I think she’s going to charge me.

  “I used the special Petrovich recipe.” Anger radiates out of her like heat, but I’m not afraid of this girl. “Why are you framing Hana for something I did?”

  Her lips part, but Simon cuts her off. “Speaking of Miss van Hamilton, where is my prized possession? I had hoped to take her off your hands tonight.”

  “She doesn’t belong to you.”

  “Hana van Hamilton is payment for her father’s debts. You should know I always collect what’s mine.”

  “You’re not taking her.” My voice is a low growl, but Simon walks to the bar.

  “Vodka, neat.” The waitress takes down a short glass and pours two fingers of the clear liquor as he continues speaking. “You’re delaying the inevitable. You can stop me now, but the date simply moves further down the road.”

  He lifts the tumbler and shoots the drink as I watch, the cold truth of his words sinking into my bloodstream. He’ll never stop coming for her.

  “One day you won’t be there,” he continues. “Maybe tomorrow, maybe in a year, maybe two. Maybe when she has a child.”

  He says the words slowly, as if to wait while my mind conjures the image of Hana and me together, happy. The two of us smiling, holding a beautiful baby with white, curly hair and large blue eyes, just like her mother’s… just like mine.

  A single gunshot to the head.

  “I always collect.” Simon’s voice goes hard.

  “Take me instead.” The words fall from my lips on instinct.

  The room falls silent. The five of us, the bartender, and the two bodyguards who came with Simon appear to stop breathing as I wait to see what happens next.

  I say it again to be sure it’s on the record. “I will take her place.”

  His brow arches, but he doesn’t respond. Instead, he flicks his wrist at the bartender, and she pours him another drink, which he lifts and sips, slower this time. “You expect me to trust you?”

  “I’ll return to the fold in whatever capacity you see fit for as long as you say.” As I say the words, pain twists harder in my chest. “My life for hers.”

  I know what this means, what I’m promising, the atrocities he could force me to commit. I know it means I’ll have to say goodbye to Hana, possibly forever, a thing that will definitely kill me. Still, I promised to do anything to keep her safe from this monster. I won’t break that promise.

  “So you’ll come back to me… However I see fit?” A line cracks the smooth plane of his forehead as he considers my proposal.

  “In return, all their debts are forgiven. Their account with you is erased. The van Hamilton name is no longer part of your ledger.”

  Natasha makes a noise of disgust, but Simon takes a beat longer. He traces a finger along the lip of his glass, and his expression returns to neutral.

  It’s decided.

  “I accept your offer.” With a curt nod, he straightens, glancing around the empty room then nodding to his guards. “Let’s go. We’re returning to Minsk.”

  “Tonight?” My mind stutters to a halt. “I’m not prepared–”

  “I will provide everything you need–clothes, weapons, money…”

  “I can’t leave without talking to Hutch. If I disappear, he’ll come looking for me.” It’s the only thing I can think of to buy time. “I need to let him know I’m going with you willingly.”

  He glances to the guy sitting at the bar. “Marco will drive you. My pilot will have the plane ready for departure in two hours. I suggest you wrap up your business quickly. We leave at eleven. If you’re not there, the deal is off.”

  With that he fastens the button on his blazer and starts for the door. The men in dark suits fall in behind him, and they quickly climb the stairs.

  My chest is on fire, and my fists are clenched.

  “Don’t think this settles things with me.” Natasha snaps, and my eyes flash at her.

  “This settles everything. If you touch Hana, I’ll make you wish you were dead.”

  Her gaze remains narrowed, but she backs down at my threat. I don’t have time to deal with her bullshit. I’ll have to trust my partners can handle this petty New York debutant.

  Taking out my phone, the pressure of time weighs heavy on my shoulders. I have to move fast if I’ve only got two hours. I’ve got to talk to Hutch, and I need to be with Hana for the last time.

  Dirk’s voice is strained as he shouts into the phone. “What the actual fuck, Scar?”

  My eyes strain through the window. Marco is driving, and the back glass is up as I speak quietly into my phone, wishing it didn’t take thirty minutes to drive uptown.

  “I need to talk to Hutch, and I need to see Hana.”

  “This is bullshit. You don’t have to do this. We can totally get you out of this deal.”

  “The deal is made. I can’t go back on my word.” Scrubbing my fingers over my eyes, a block of concrete is in my stomach. “If I don’t do this, Hana will be a walking mark. At any time, he could decide to move on her, and we would never know when or where.”

  Silence falls on the line, and I know my friend is doing what he does best–sorting through all the possibilities, looking for a way out of what I’ve done. He’s trying to find a solution to this problem.

  Only there is no solution.

  I’ve been around these guys long enough to know how they operate, and once you’re in debt to them, there’s no way out.

  “I traded my life for hers. Now I need to talk to Hutch.”

  The reality of what’s coming aches in me like a brand. Being with Hana has been the one thing that gave me a reason, now I have to leave her. If I know Simon, he’ll make it so I never see her again. He’ll twist the knife slowly, especially now that he knows I’m responsible for Victor’s death.

  He’ll make my time in his service as painful as possible to make up for that hit.

  “Indentured servitude is illegal…” Dirk is still going.

  “Illegal doesn’t exist in their world.” My tone is resigned. “I’m going to hang up now, but I respect you, Dirk. You’re a good man.”

  “Scar–” I hit the end button and immediately dial Hutch.

  Thankfully, he answers on the first ring. “What’s wrong?”

  “Your girl is fine, Hana’s fine. They’re all good.” He exhales a breath, but I don’t have time to let up. “The situation has changed, and I’m going back to Minsk. Dirk will fill you in on the details.”

  “You can’t go back to Minsk–” His voice is urgent.

  “I don’t have time to explain. I need you to do something for me.” We’re approaching the Andover building, and I speak faster. “Call Blake and tell her I need her help. I’m picking up Hana, but when I bring her back, I’ll need her. Will you tell her that for me?”

  “Of course, but I can’t allow this–”

  “You’re one of the best men I know, Hutch. Thank you for your friendship. I was honored to serve with you.”

  “Scar–”

  I end the call and hustle through the lobby of Hana’s apartment building. Rusty gives me a wave, and I hop into the elevator.

  “Mr. Alexander was just here with Miss Hana. He said you’d be right behind them.”

  My brow clenches. “I guess Trip knows me pretty well by now.”

  “He knows everything.” The old man chuckles.

  “Hold the elevator for me, will you? I’ll be right back with Hana.”

  “You bet.”

  I dash down the hall, and the door opens before I knock. Blake greets me, her silver-blue eyes tense. “Is everything okay? Hutch just called. He said you needed me.”

  “When I get back.”

  Hana glides up behind her, and my chest swells at the sight of her. She changed out of the pretty sequined dress she was wearing, but she’s still so beautiful in leggings and a thin, long-sleeved sweater.

  “You’re here.” Her voice is so soft, so sweet.

  Without hesitation, she walks straight into my arms, and I lift her off her feet. Her legs are around my waist, and her head is tucked into my neck. All the cracks in my heart and soul are filled, and I don’t want to put her down. I want to memorize everything about her.

  Blake studies my face, her smart gaze knowing something dark is coming.

  “I’ll have her back in an hour.”

  Blake nods, but Hana teases. “Only one hour?”

  I lower my girl to her feet, spreading my hand over her pretty face. The hole in my heart paradoxically heals and rips larger as I gaze down at her. “I have to meet someone at eleven.”

  “Then we’d better hurry.” She takes my hand, and we go to the waiting elevator.

  We’re across the street in the hotel room in record time. The lights of the city casting a pale blue glow throughout the small space.

  Hana looks up at me the way she always has, like she believes in me, like she trusts me.

  “Come here.” I take both her hands and lead her to the bed. “Sit. I need to tell you some things.”

  Her blue eyes widen. “Okay.”

  “You asked me about my burns, and I told you how I got them. Now I need to tell you what happened after them.”

  Reaching out, she slides a cool hand over my wrist, where the ink stops at the seam of my injury. “I want to know everything about you.”

  Looking down, I thread her slim fingers with mine. “After this happened, my world went black. It had never been particularly light, but then Simon appeared and said I would work for him. He said my father gave me to him as a child, as payment for his debts. I never knew my father. I was disfigured and destitute, so I went with him.”

  Her brow furrows, and sadness is in her eyes. “What did you do for him?”

  “Things I regret. Things I should have told you before we went so far.”

  She reaches up to touch my cheek. “I’ve done things I regret.”

  “I know, beautiful girl.” Turning my face, I kiss her palm. A soft curl falls onto her cheek, and I slide it behind her ear, letting my touch linger. “The fire changed me. I didn’t begin by accepting what had happened to me. I hadn’t made peace with my scars.”

  “Peace can be one elusive bitch.”

  I know she’s battled her own demons. I know she knows the story of searching for meaning.

  “I found it with you.” The words burn in my chest. My peace is right here in my hands, and it’s slipping through my fingers.

  My brow collapses, and she rises onto her knees, straddling my lap and pulling my face to hers. She kisses me softly, but with one touch, we’re insatiable.

  Lifting her shirt over her head, I lean down to kiss her shoulder, smell her skin as she unfastens her bra. I’m like a man losing his senses. I want to imprint these images on my subconscious.

  With her bra gone, her small breasts fill my hands, and I kiss them, pulling the hardened nipples with my teeth, committing her small moans to memory as she pulls at my shirt. It’s over my head, and her fingers slide down my back.

  “You feel so good,” she whispers before I cover her mouth with mine, tasting her sweet kisses as my chest simultaneously surges and shreds with every inhale, exhale.

  Turning us, I lie her back on the bed and slide her leggings off. She’s not wearing panties, and I carefully kiss her ankle, kiss her knee, the inside of her thigh.

  “Is this okay?” I’m over her, sliding my hands under her ass. Her eyes are hooded, and she nods, dropping her legs apart.

  It’s all the invitation I need before burying my face in her pussy, tracing my tongue all over her clit, inhaling her sweet musky scent. Her back arches off the bed, and she moans, driving her fingers into my hair as I move faster, devouring her.

  My dick is so hard, I’m afraid I’ll come too fast. I want her with me, and my movements grow more insistent, pulling her soft pussy with my lips until her moans grow louder, orgasm trembling in her thighs.

  Before she can finish, I move my mouth to the crease of her leg, higher, kissing her navel before I straighten to remove the rest of my clothes.

  “God, I’m so close,” she whispers, watching me, licking her full lips as I toss my pants to the side.

  When I put my knee between her legs, she curls forward to take my hardened cock in her hand, guiding it to her mouth. Her hot tongue licks at my tip, almost sending me over the edge.

  Catching her face, I lift her chin, leaning down to kiss her. “I want to be inside you.”

  Her arms rise to my shoulders, and I scoot her higher on the bed, settling between her thighs and sliding fast into her slick core.

  “Oh, fuck,” We both groan, and I hold for a beat, doing my best to hang on, to savor this time we have together.

  “It’s been so long,” she sighs, and I lift my mouth to cover her jaw with kisses.

  “Has it been a week?”

  “It’s been longer than a week.” She catches my cheeks, kissing me roughly, pushing my lips apart, and sliding her tongue beside mine.

  I like my aggressive sex kitten, and in spite of the pain, I smile, allowing her to push my shoulder, rolling me onto my back.

  She’s on top of me, rolling her hips and gripping my cock with her tight little cunt. “Fuck, Hana, I’m going to come.”

  “Me too,” she gasps, rocking faster.

  Her hands are above my head, and she rides my dick, panting and moaning as pink flushes her cheeks, her soft breasts. I catch a nipple in my mouth, giving it a pull.

  “Yes,” she gasps. “Slap my ass.”

  Her round little ass is right in my hands, and I give her a sharp slap.

  “Oh,” she moans as her body jumps, and a flash of orgasm shoots through my pelvis.

  Fuck me, if she starts this, I’m going to lose control.

  “Harder,” she groans, and I squeeze her fleshy rear before spanking it again, harder.

  “That’s it.” She gasps, her brow clenched as her mouth forms an O. I smooth my palm over her hot skin, and my cock starts to jerk. I’m groaning as my orgasm slips through the gate.

  I want to flip her over and nail her to the mattress, but she grips my shoulders, her voice trembling. “One more time…”

  I don’t hesitate, smacking her one last time as she breaks, jerking and moaning, her sweet pussy working my cock as she comes.

  “Fuck,” I groan, leaning back as I pulse again, deep inside her.

  Hana’s lips part, and she’s breathing hard. My hands are on her legs, and I watch her in amazement as she comes down from that high. Her eyes blink open, and she starts to laugh, falling forward onto my chest.