One of the emotions being lust.

The other being panic.

“Fuuuuuuck,” I whisper on exhale.

Nick Hudson wants to fuck me. He wants me. Me.

He also wants to save my life tonight.

A fuck for my life? Is it as simple as that?

I stare at the reflection of a woman I don’t recognize. Of course he wants the woman in the mirror. On the surface she represents everything that makes a man like him tick. But on the inside… he has no fucking clue who I am.

Protection. He offered me protection for tonight which I clearly need. Who knows what will happen next if I refuse him? Death most likely. Or torture. Or both.

Stupid. Why the fuck would I turn that down? He’s trying to help, and I’m letting my game of “hard to get” get in the way of my safety.

“Fucking beautiful,” I hear behind me, forcing me to turn around to face him again.

The scared little girl in me wants to beg for help. But the rejected woman who has had to fight for everything in her life forces me to still keep up my guard. Ice Queen is better than cowering weakling.

“You like what you see?” I ask, straightening up and taking a step toward him. I won’t allow him to see my distress. Never.

“You know I do.”

“So, what happens now that I turned down your protection?”

“Nothing, because I won’t allow it. You have been claimed by Nick Hudson for tonight. That ship has sailed, my girl, and you are on it. There isn’t a killer in the entire state who would touch you with a ten-foot pole. Not yet at least. Not while you’re with me. Maxim’s out there. He’s pissed, no doubt. But he won’t cross me.”

“The Sidorov family may disagree with just how powerful you think you are.”

He rocks his cane back and forth nonchalantly. It’s jovial and, yet, sinister at the same time. “There are rules in our dark underworld. I’m playing by the rules. I claimed you for a night, and there isn’t anyone who will argue with that. So, rest easy. You’re safe.”

“As long as I suck your dick, right?” I ask, crossing my arms against my chest. I can feel the beating of my heartbeat, the knocking of fear against my chest. “That’s the price for my life tonight?”

“You’d suck my dick by the end of the night regardless,” he says with a smirk. “You and I both know that.”

“You’re an asshole,” I snap.

“Yes. Very much so.”

“You think any woman you approach at this party will want to fuck you?”

He chuckles. “No. But I know you will.”

“And how do you know that?”

“Because I know you. I’ve studied you.”

“Your information is wrong. I’m not a whore.”