CHAPTER FIVE

Katerina opened her mouth, her voice a faint, terrified whisper.

 "Jackson, I..."

​Before she could finish, the grand double doors of the ballroom were open. A Romano soldier, face pale and bloodied, stumbled. 

Everyone gasped in utter horror at the sight of him.

​"Don Romano!" the soldier collapsed to the floor. "The estate is breached!....they are not here to talk, but to burn the house down “

​In the chaos, Jackson looked unbothered. He stood up, but his eyes weren't on Katerina anymore. He looked directly at Xavier

Xavier didn't wait. He vaulted over a table, his gun drawn in alarm, his lethal focus locked on Jackson.

 "Run to the library Katerina!....now!!” Xavier snapped in alert.

                    *****************

The party roared downstairs—with sheer terror as the guest paced around agitated searching for an exit.

Inside the mahogany-rowed library, 

​Katerina stood by the window.

She turned when the door clicked open and shut. She knew the rhythm of those footsteps anywhere.

“Can you please explain what's going on downstairs?” Katerina panicked in frustration 

“ Its nothing you need to worry about, its been taken care of…..your safe here with me” Xavier tone, calm and reassuring 

Katerina signed in relief as the awkward silence dragged on

​"You can't marry him, Katerina."Xavier bluntly said finally breaking the silence 

​Xavier’s voice, not a request. But a command that echoed through the heated air

​Katerina snapped,

"And why not, Xavier? Jackson is safe. He’s kind. He’s everything my father’s world isn't.”

​Xavier stepped into the sliver of light, his eyes raking over her body. She felt hot under his gaze.

"Jackson is a liar wrapped in a cheap suit. He doesn't see you. He sees a trophy" He replied 

"Why do you​ hatehim so much, huh?"

"You’re just my bodyguard," she breathed, avoiding eye contact though her heart was drumming 

"You’re paid to watch my back, not my heart."

​Xavier moved closer, suddenly in her personal space, his heat radiating off him like a fire.

 He trapped her against a bookshelf, his hands bracing the wood on either side of her head. Keeping her locked with no escape.

“Let me go, you jerk!!” Katerina struggles to move out of his trap. But failed miserably.

​"Is that what you tell yourself when you look at me?" he rasped, his face inches from hers. 

"That I’m just a hired guard? You crave me, Katerina. You’ve craved it since the moment I walked into your life”

​"Stop," she whispered, but she didn't move.

​"Make me.” he dared her. The heated attraction and lust between them, about to erupt like a volcano at its peak. The longing pull, so strong to ignore.

​Xavier didn't wait for her to breathe. He claimed her hot inviting lips with an intensity that shattered every wall she had built. 

It wasn't a gentle kiss; it was a declaration of war. It tasted forbidden… yet so good at the same time 

Katerina’s hands, which should have pushed him away, tangled in his hair, pulling him closer, surrendering to the craving she had denied herself from 

They had both wanted this proximity for a very long time as they kissed hungerily without any care in the world.

The kiss got sloppy and intoxicating following a perfect rhythmic French kiss. Xavier's full lips were as soft as anything she had ever imagined.

​

​The heavy oak door suddenly creaked open. 

They immediately pulled out of each other's arms like they just got burnt.

​The light from the hallway spilled across the floor, cutting through their shadow. Katerina froze, her lips still tingling, her heart stopping in her chest.

​Don Romano stood in the doorway holding a loaded armed gun.

He wasn't shouting. He wasn't angry, his gold-plated pistol held loosely at his side. His eyes moved from his disheveled daughter to the man he had trusted to protect her.

​"I hired a wolf to guard my lamb," the Don said, his voice a low, terrifying silk. 

"I suppose I shouldn't be surprised when the wolf decides to eat."

​He raised the gun, the click of the safety echoing like a death knell in the silent library aiming at Xavier.