The Heirs: The Silver Knight

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Imogen

It takes me a millisecond to realize it's Aleks.

I'm acutely aware of his presence and scent at this point.

"What the fuck?!" I cry.

The weirdest sensation overcomes me. It's not fear. Worse, it feels akin to...giddiness. Maybe I'm still riding the high from succeeding in planting that tracker.

Yes. That's what I'll tell myself.

But then there is another part of me that knows the truth. The way Aleks' gray eyes bore into me, fully under his focus. It's like I was always desperate for his attention and am finally getting it.

Aleks closes the door behind us and pushes me up against the wall. I let out a whimper of relief without even thinking.

"W-what are you doing?" I ask nervously.

The room is small and dark. There's low mood lighting with two chairs and a sofa with a table. The table has a bottle of vodka on ice.

"Sit," he demands.

I lick my lips but do as he says. Why, I have no idea.

He runs a hand through his hair, looking stressed. He shakes his head, like he's gathering up the nerve to calm himself. What the hell is going on? What did I do?

"They'll wonder where we are..." I whisper as I sit down in the chair. That seems safer than the sofa. He sits across from me on the sofa and pops open the bottle. He pours a glass for himself, plopping two ice cubes inside. I watch with fascination.

"I thought you only drank one..." I mutter.

"You're stressing me the fuck out," he says, eyes fixed on me.

I love his deep voice. I hate that I love it so much.

"I...I'll take one," I whisper. I have no idea what's come over me. I don't drink. Ever. And as dangerous as this man is, as much as I distrust him, unsure of his intentions, not knowing what he did... I feel weirdly...safe with him.

His eyes narrow but he pours another glass without a word.

I nod and take the drink, sipping it lightly. It stings but feels good going down my parched throat. Aleks leans back and swirls his drink around before sipping it.

"We should get back," I say quickly, my nerves getting the best of me.

Aleks asks quietly, "Is that what you want?"

No. I would love to stay in here with him and do absolutely insane things that would make me blush in the morning. Horrifyingly enough.

"You make my head hurt, Imogen Donnelly."

"Are you implying that I'm a headache?" I ask shakily.

"The worst kind," he sips his drink.

"Aleks."

"Kotenok."

"Why am I in here?" I ask.

"I need to calm down," he admits.

We sit in silence.

"I don't owe you anything," I mutter.