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Look how nervous she is! Apparently she’s afraid I’ll tell her fling how his girl likes to pick up boys with no strings attached just for fun.

How many of them has she had after me already?!

The sense of ownership started twisting my soul from the inside. This girl will be the perfect replacement for Mila, except that in my absence no one will be tossing their balls at her — I’ll take care of that too. It’s enough to pay a bit more than usual, and she’ll put on a chastity belt in no time. It’ll give me a reason to visit my brother in Kremenchuk more often.

I realize this evening is no longer boring and tiresome for me, so I go to greet all the necessary acquaintances. The sooner I get through the tedious politeness rules at events like this, the quicker I can catch my golden fish.

At an accelerated pace, I go around all the important acquaintances and my father, all the while glancing toward my stranger, and I realize that my politeness plans will have to be cancelled — because neither she nor that brunette are anywhere to be seen in the hall.

That disgusting feeling that she ran away again and that I lost her in the stupidest way possible began to awaken the demon in me — the one who doesn’t care about anything or anyone when he wants something and has a goal.

I climb the stairs to the second floor and start peeking into the rooms. God forbid, if I see that they’ve slipped away for some “pleasant pastime,” I’ll kill them!

To my relief, the rooms were empty, and I decided to go out onto the balcony to get a better view of the area. As I approached the door, I slowed down, realizing that they were on the terrace, chatting pleasantly. Well, this might be useful.

What pissed me off was the way that guy looked at her, fawned over her, and curled around the girl like poisonous ivy, showering her with attention. But I also noted that their relationship very clearly smelled of the friend zone. This became especially obvious after he stole a quick kiss from her — a kiss she clearly did not expect — and I clenched my teeth.

There was no point hiding anymore, so I stepped out of the shadow. She got even more frightened. I wanted to talk, but ran into nothing but a solid wall of rudeness and sarcasm. Vicky despised me for my… let’s say, job, and I don’t blame her. I myself am ready to strangle Nazar for his “ingenuity.”

The girl was so afraid of me and so unwilling to talk that she decided to run away again, almost breaking her nose. My reaction turned out to be faster.

The moment I touched her soft skin, I understood that I wanted more touches and wasn’t leaving here empty‑handed. Pulling the girl closer, I take her face in my hand and examine her, trying to understand what exactly in her appearance makes my blood boil?!

"Listen, Nazar…"

"I told you my name is Kirill."

"I don’t need to know all your stage names."

There it is! I like her prickly tongue and her defiant gaze. And I also clearly remember how persistent she can be when she wants something. That trait will be very useful in our bed.

"So, feisty, huh" if she only knew how her kicking and snapping turn me on, she’d keep quiet. "We need to talk in a more private place."

Otherwise I can’t vouch for myself. I want her so badly it hurts. Here and now. So I dragged the girl like a caveman to his cave, so the guests of the event wouldn’t witness something very intimate.

"Why are you abandoning your companion? Your precious darling will be upset, and your family idyll will collapse!"

I hear notes of jealousy? That’s good! Only I need to set boundaries right away, so that in the future she understands her place in our “relationship” and doesn’t get her hopes up too much.

“She will obediently wait for her turn for as long as needed. And anyway, family isn’t for me. It takes too much life energy and free time, and I don’t need that. I have things in my life far more interesting to do.”

My words clearly didn’t please the blue‑eyed girl. She got angry, frowned, shooting furious looks from her eyes — truly adorable. She just doesn’t know yet that she won’t run away from me until I decide to let her.

“You’re not going anywhere, Vicky. I’ve been looking for you, and I’m not letting you go that easily. If I have to, I’ll lock you in here for the whole night.”

“What do you want?” — she finally began to realize that arguing with me was pointless.

“You.” — I answer honestly.