The image of Demitri being turned on while holding me down flashes through my mind, and it sends an unexpected wave of desire rushing through my body.

Oh, hell no. Don’t even go there.

Somehow I manage to stand my ground in front of him, giving him a glare until he walks away. My eyes burn into his back as he heads toward the stairs leading to what I assume is the basement. It’s the second time I see him go down there, and in the spur of the moment, I follow after him.

Peeking down the short stairway, I watch as Demitri keys in a code and, shoving a heavy metal door open, he disappears inside the room.

What’s in there?

Probably the keys for the boat and a phone. Everything I need to escape.

I need to find out what the code for that door is.

Chapter 7

DEMITRI

Another fucking regret.

The girl gets under my skin, but still, that’s no reason for saying what I did. She’s scared, and I probably made it worse.

The last thing I want her worrying about is me forcing myself on her. That will never happen.

Letting out a sigh, I sit and stare at the monitors. I find Ariana where she’s opening the fridge and taking a bottle of water from it.

She just wanted some kind of reassurance that I won’t hurt her. Why the fuck didn’t I give her that?

I watch as she sits down on the couch again, curling against the armrest. ‘Come on, Ian, distract me from the asshole,’ she says as she begins to watch the show again.

Day one was an epic fuck up, and I have no idea how we’re going to get through the rest of the week.

Picking up my phone, I shoot Alexei a message.

Demitri: Please tell me Lucian’s in Russia already.

A couple of minutes pass before the reply comes through.

Alexei: He’s heading to Russia tomorrow.

Demitri: Change places with me. You babysit the girl, and I’ll look for the assassin.

Alexei: Nope.

I let out a sigh.

Demitri: Have someone keep an eye on Ariana’s mother. She’s worried they’ll go after her.

Alexei: I’ll send Nikhil.

Demitri: Thanks.

Demitri: What the fuck am I supposed to do while I’m stuck here?

Alexei: Work on your people skills.

Demitri: You know I only vowed to protect you from other people, right?

Alexei: Oooh, I’m trembling.

Demitri: Fucker.

Setting the phone back down on the desk, I glance at the monitor for the living room.

Fuck this, I’m not hiding in the security room. Getting up, I stalk to the kitchen and make a cup of coffee for myself.

“Alexei’s sending someone to watch your mother,” I offer the information to Ariana in the hopes it will make her relax. When she doesn’t say anything, I ask, “Did you hear me?”

“Yes, but I’m sure as shit not going to thank you,” she mumbles.

Taking a deep breath, I pick up the cup and go sit on the couch.