It makes my protectiveness toward her increase ten-fold.

It makes me want to kill anyone who’s a threat to her.

It makes me want to keep her on this island where life can’t touch her.

It makes me want to keep her.

To make her mine in every possible way.

It hits fucking hard, the emotion raging through me until it’s right up there with my loyalty to Alexei.

I force myself to focus on the problem at hand and shove my increasing feelings for Ariana down.

“Come,” I say, and lowering my hand to hers, I link our fingers and pull her to the couch. She’s really going to need to sit for this conversation.

Alexei walks to the sliding doors, and shoving his hands into the pockets of his black cargo pants, he stares outside.

When I take a seat with Ariana next to me, I keep hold of her hand. Locking eyes with her, I say, “This is going to be hard to hear.”

She straightens her shoulders as if she’s bracing herself. “Tell me.”

“The person who took out the contract on you is Yuri.” I watch Ariana closely, expecting heartache or anger, but instead, she just stares at me.

Chapter 16

ARIANA

I thought I was ready for whatever Demitri was going to say, but I’m not.

It takes a solid minute for the words to make sense, and then a wave of goosebumps spread from the top of my head to my feet. It’s slow, and even my tongue goes numb. My skin prickles, and my insides tense horribly.

Yuri?

My brother?

No, that can’t be right.

It feels like I’m stuck on repeat. Goosebumps. Numbing tongue. Prickling skin. Questions. Denial.

Repeat.

Breathe.

Repeat.

“Ariana?” Demitri leans closer to me, concern etched on his face. “Did you hear me?”

No.

I’m not sure.

What?

I manage to shake my head.

“Yuri ordered the contract.” Demitri pulls his hand from mine, and my fingers flex, instantly missing his touch, but then he brings both his hands to the sides of my neck.

“But…” Again I shake my head, not able to make sense of what Demitri’s saying, “…What?”

Leaning closer, his eyes bore into mine. “Take a deep breath.”

I do as he says.

Again my tongue goes numb, and the awful prickles rush over my skin. I begin to feel lightheaded and take another deep breath.

No, that can’t be right.

“Yuri wouldn’t. He’s my brother,” I say, my voice filled with a world of doubt.

Demitri’s expression softens, but his eyes remain guarded. “You’re a threat to him. He has no intention of sharing the inheritance with you.”

“But… I haven’t even thought of the inheritance. Our dad just died.”

Nothing makes sense anymore. I’m bombarded with confusion until I don’t know my right from my left.

“I know,” Demitri says, his tone gentle.

“Are you sure? Can I talk to him? There must be some huge misunderstanding.” The words rush from me.