The SUV bumped along a narrow, dirt track, the trees growing thicker and taller around them. It felt like they were driving to the edge of the world. Lily had lost all sense of direction hours ago.Her body was tired, her mind buzzing with images of the night. Dmitri's brutal grace, the silent fall of the men, the frantic escape. It was a lot to take in. Her father's face, bruised and still, flashed in her mind. The nightmare was coming for her, even while she was awake. She shivered.Finally, Gabrielle slowed the SUV, turning sharply into what looked like a hidden path. After a few more twists and turns, a small, dark shape appeared through the trees. It was a cabin. Rustic. Isolated. Very, very far from any resort.Gabrielle parked the car a little distance from the cabin, hidden by thick bushes.The other two security vehicles parked further back, out of sight. "We're here, Boss," Gabrielle said, his voice quiet.Dmitri nodded. "Secure the area. Then check inside. Standard procedure.
“Dmitri?.. D-““Shhh, stay still. Okay?” He whispered softly, while trying to calm her down with a peck.The quiet, scary creak as the suite door slowly, silently started to open was like a cold hand grabbing Dmitri’s heart. One second, Lily was soft and warm under him, her taste filling his mouth. The next, his body went cold, sharp, and ready for a fight. He pulled away from her, rolling off the bed in one smooth, silent move.He was a hunter, ready to strike.Lily gasped, confused and shocked, as the sudden cold air hit her. One moment, Dmitri was a heavy warmth on her, his mouth on hers, his hands making her skin burn. The next, he was gone, replaced by a chilling quiet. She blinked fast in the dim light, her heart still pounding from passion, but now fear was starting to take over.Just as her eyes saw clearly, a dark shape slipped through the partly open door. Then another. And another. Three men, dressed in black, moved like shadows. They were fast, quiet, and very, very bad.
He moved, smoothly and strongly, until he was right in front of her. She was trapped between his body and the edge of the bed. Her hands went flat on the bed beside her, ready. After inhaling what felt like a trailer load of air emitting from her body, he leaned down, his eyes never leaving hers. His scent filled her senses – salty, clean, very edible and powerful.“I have been on edge the past few days, princess,” Dmitri’s voice was a low growl, raw with a confession he rarely allowed himself.“Walking around this place like a goddess. Not knowing the effect you have on me. You’re everywhere. In my mind, in my blood. And I’m just a man. A man who wants what’s rightfully his.” His fingers started to make slow lines on her arm, up to her shoulder, making her skin burn with heat.Lily’s breath got short. Her chest moved up and down fast. “I... I’ve been on edge too,” she said, her voice weak. She closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them. A little bit of her usual fight came back.
Lily took that step. One small move towards the bed, towards him, while Dmitri felt a strong beat deep inside him. It was a quiet giving in, a soft promise in her stubborn eyes. He’d seen women give in before, but never like this.Never with a fight still in their look. My Lily. A faint, knowing smile touched his mouth. He wasn’t just taking her body tonight, he was claiming a part of her strong, fierce spirit.The resort room felt big, but suddenly too small. The soft sounds of the ocean outside became far away. He watched her, a quiet invitation in his dark eyes, as she moved slowly, unsure, until she stood by the side of the bed. The air around them felt tense, like something was about to happen, suddenly he could almost taste the excitement, hot and strong.He moved, sitting up, letting his eyes look all over her. He liked the soft lines of her summer dress, the gentle curve of her neck, noting how she e was truly pretty. A wild animal trying to be calm, and failing beautifully.“
The muffled pistol shot echoed in Lily’s ears, then seemed to vanish into the ocean’s roar. Her heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic drum, it didn't help the fact that she stumbled, seeing Dmitri move in a blur.The man in the Hawaiian shirt was a crumpled heap on the boardwalk, a dark stain spreading on the wood. Dmitri didn’t spare him a second glance. He was already by Lily’s side, grabbing her arm, his grip firm and hot, pulling her.“Move,” he growled, his voice rough, urgent. He pulled her, almost dragging her, away from the moonlit beach, back towards the distant, bright lights of the lobby. His eyes were sharp, darting, scanning every face.He steered her quickly towards a quieter service elevator, away from the main guest traffic, pressing the button impatiently.Inside the elevator, Lily finally found her voice. “Wha—what happened? Who was that?” Her voice was shaky.Dmitri’s jaw was tight. His gaze was intense, focused on the numbers lighting up. “He was a distraction
Lily's eyes bugged out. "Just One room?" she mouthed silently at Dmitri. He ignored her, taking the key card."Excellent," he said, and turned away, expecting her to follow. What choice did she have? Run away and risk a real prison cell, or stay and share a very fancy room with the man who made her stomach do flip-flops?They reached a fancy wooden door. Dmitri swiped the card. "Welcome to your home away from home, Mrs. Kalashnikov," he said, holding the door open. That smirk again. It was infuriating. And yet, she noticed the way his suit jacket pulled across his broad shoulders as he moved.Focus, Lily. He's the enemy.Wait. Is he?She stepped inside. The room was massive. The king-sized bed faced a wall of windows looking out onto a moonlit ocean. It was clearly made for one couple."You're kidding me," Lily said, turning to him, her voice flat.Dmitri closed the door, the click echoing. He tossed his keys onto a glass table. The faint scent of his cologne, sharp and clean, filled