Fall Into Place (Taking the Fall 5)

At the sound of the handcuffs clicking closed, she breaks the kiss and looks at me with wide eyes.

“Sorry, kitten. But I’ve got a wedding to get to, and we are far from finished.”

“Podonok!” she yells, and then tries to kick me.

“I’m sure that’s a term of endearment, my love. And don’t worry, I’ll be back soon.”

I pull back from her heat and drag her to the top of the bed, using another pair of handcuffs to bolt her to the headboard. She’s spitting nasty Russian words at me, and I just shake my head and smile.

“I’ll be back in less than an hour.” I lean down and try to kiss her lips, but she lunges forward to try to bite me. “Okay then. We’ll save the kiss for when I get back.”

Reaching over, I put a gag in her mouth just in case she feels like yelling out for help while I’m gone. I turn on the TV and lay some snacks and water on the table next to her.

“If you’re good we can have that when I get back.”

She curses me more through the gag, but I wink at her as I get dressed. I grab my jacket, slide it on, and turn back to wink at her again before heading out the door.

This wedding better be quick.

Chapter 4

Nika

It took me two minutes to escape the cuffs, and I’m oddly disappointed at how easy it was. A part of me wanted to stay. There’s something about Samuel and the way he looks at me, talks to me, and touches me. It’s like nothing I’ve ever felt before. The loneliness I’ve felt for so long slipped away in those moments. But the further and further I move away from the casino, the heavier the loneliness seems to settle inside me.

The only thing pushing me is fear. He knew my name but wasn’t trying to hurt me. He said he’d keep me safe, but I have to be certain of who he is. No matter how much I don’t want to make this call, I do. He’s either working for my father or he’s my father’s enemy and plans to use this against him. I cringe at the thought but shake it off, thinking I’m being paranoid like my father.

Picking up the pay phone, I make the dreaded call. It only rings once before my father’s voice booms through the line.

“Where are you?”

“I think you already know that,” I clip back. He had to have known by now I was at least in Vegas if this guy Samuel knew.

“I want exact coordinates.” He pauses for a moment as if getting his bearings. “Solniska, please.”

When he calls me ‘sweetheart,’ the guilt hits me. I don’t want him to worry, but I can’t be put back into the pretty prison he’s made for me. I can’t live like that, and I want something else. Samuel’s face comes to mind, and I push it away.

“Dad, did you send someone after me? This guy grabbed me.”

“He touched you? He was supposed to find you and bring you to me!” he barks, cutting into my words.

“Well, if I’m not so willing to go, how else was he going to get me to come with him? I can’t believe you sent someone after me. I was scared it was one of your enemies or something.”

“It could have been. You’re lucky they found you first and it wasn’t someone else.”

“They? The guy who grabbed me was by himself.” I glance over my shoulder and down the street both ways to make sure no one is watching me. I’m turning into my father.

“What did he look like? Did he tell you his name?” I can hear the fear in my father’s voice, making mine rise, too.

“Samuel.”

I hear his sigh of relief, letting me know that this Samuel was here because of him. I don’t know why that hurts, but I guess it’s better than him being an enemy of my father’s. Still though, he’ll hand me over to him.

“Yes, Samuel is safe. Tell me where you are and I’ll have him come get you and bring you to me. I’m still hours from Vegas.”

“I love you but—” My words cut off when Samuel grabs the receiver from me and hangs up. He grabs me by the arm.

“The rest of the sentence better have been, ‘but I’m with someone else now.’”

“Excuse me?” I yank at my arm but it’s useless, and truth be told, I don’t want to be let go of. Too bad he’s working for my father.

“I love you but…” he reminds me of the last thing I said to my dad before he cut the line.

“I was talking to my dad, for your information. You know, the guy who hired you!” I get in his face and yell the last part, which is hard with him being so freaking tall and me not having my heels on. I changed back into the sneakers I had in my bag, and they look ridiculous with this dress. When I was leaving the casino, it was all about what was the fastest.

He pulls me into his arms, taking my mouth in a hard kiss. I bite his lip, but he just moans and holds me tighter, rubbing his erection against me. My whole body goes up in flames, and I return the kiss, not able to stop myself. I had no idea kissing could be like this. Soon I’m pressing into him, kissing back with more force than he is. Whatever this is I want more.

“Fuck, kitten, not here.” He pulls back, and it’s then I notice I’ve practically climbed him like a tree. I let my legs drop, irritated that he stopped the kiss I was enjoying.

“Then why did you kiss me?” I bite out, letting the irritation show.

“Because I was pissed when I thought I caught you talking to some boyfriend and telling him you fucking loved him. Then when you said it wasn’t, well…” He smiles faintly, not finishing his sentence. Then he licks his lips like he’s tasting me.