Page 66 of Volatile Waters

Kirill knew he had backed me into a corner. If I didn’t follow this rule, a trust issue would wave throughout all the men I was soon to govern.

After telling Adrian to get Kirill off the ground, I told one of my men to retrieve Crash. Crash hung over his shoulder as we crossed the yard, his tied wrists dangling.

Adrian whispered, “They see us now.”

I peered across the lake in time to see Mr. Jones, Reether, and Pet. Mr. Jones was pushing down Pet’s binoculars; I’m sure so she couldn’t see her beaten, semi-unconscious son.

Staring at the back of Whitney’s home, I could see her in a white nightgown, sitting on a couch in a stoic state. The cast on her legpinged my already annoyed stomach. As I had no time to spare with Kirill’s nonsense, the same went for my own needs. So, I lifted my cellphone to my ear…

“Link, I just need the night to think. Stop worrying.” Her voice was glorious and had me refocused in a second flat.

“Maybe it is not Link who should be worried.” After her marvelous slight gasp, I said, “Ah. Already worried?”

Her vibrant voice was now laced with fear. “Yes, I am worried.”

The Master in me was pleased. “Good. I love to have someone’s undivided attention.”

Blood rushed through my body as her obedience sang to me like her dancing. “You have it, sir.”

I had to restrain a groan. “No wonder little Crash likes you so. You are a smart little cookie. Do you know what it is that I am looking for?”

Her hand anxiously rubbed her thigh. “No. No, I do not.”

I desperately wanted to see the face I was speaking to. I craved for those eyes to burn me with their brilliance. So, I hung up on her. It was risky, but, in an instant, I decided a video call was in order. As soon as her face appeared on my phone’s screen, my whole body eased, and a smile crossed my face. All I could do was become enamored by her close-up appearance. Of course, her eyes were beyond magnificent, but her button nose fit perfectly between high cheekbones. A tiny, pink tongue darted out every now and then to wet little, pouty lips that were red from her nervously nibbling on them.

Trying to collect myself, I regarded, “Forgive my rudeness. I just thought this way would be more persuasive for you.”

She was standing now and jerked when an automatic timer of sorts turned on lights inside her home. Even with fear riveting through her, she nodded, trying to catch her breath. “Again, you have my full attention.”

Her willingness had me lost between the trainer and the man who enjoyed Mrs. Thompson so much. It only intensified my hunger for her and my unwarranted jealously. I was a bastard, through and through, as I peered over my shoulder to say, “You hear that, Crash? We have her full attention,” hoping he could hear me and know she was practically mine.

It was so dark; I was confident Whitney wouldn’t be able to place Crash’s location, but I could still see his lips moving in his repetitive prayer. His bloody finger twitched above a carving in the wood on the dock.

I told Whitney, “Crash is… oh, how do I put this? Uh, indisposed at the moment.”

“Sir, I will do whatever you ask of me. Anything. Absolutely anything, just give me a chance before you hurt him anymore.”

So willing… I sighed. “If only your father had been so easy to work with.”

Long eyelashes fluttered shut as she said, “I wish the same. If he had, my brother would be alive. Because of this, I hate my father beyond words and do not care what happens to him in order to keep you happy and Crash alive and well.”

Her perseverance had me pondering if this was why Crash was so loyal to her. I surely didn’t believe in the ‘love’ notion, yet Whitney appeared and sounded equally committed. I told her so. “I do think I believe you.” Mind-blowing.

“My actions will prove you are right to do so. What do you want or need, and where can I find it?”

I exhaled out all of the pent-up frustration from this whole endeavor. “This is where our troubles begin. I cannot tell you what I want—or I have to kill you both.” I jolted when I realized I had just told her Crash was as good as already dead, but she didn’t catch my truth. Luckily, she was blinded by fear.

With beautifully wide eyes, she nodded during an adorable shrug. “A dilemma I’m willing to work around, seeing how I wish to live.”

Laughter burst from my delighted lungs as I spoke to myself. “I really do like this American girl.”

As if hearing this brought about an opportunity, Whitney added, “Would you believe I have a thing for Russian men?”

Intrigued, I leaned back. “You don’t say?”

She tucked a curl behind her ear. “It’s true! If we had the time, I would show you where I wrote it in my diary under ‘foreigners to conquer.’”

I grabbed my chest because she was making it tingle. “You are impressively quick on your feet, especially at such a dire time.”