Healing chains (rewriting)

Maniuplation: part 15 (her attention)

1.2K PEOPLEEEEEE. i can't believe thisssssss, this has got to be the best dayyyyyyyy, so this is an extra long chapter for you guys with the next chapter a little tension!!!!!

torture and blood scene, those who are uncomfortable please leave👍
AND PLEASE VOTE PEOPLE💋

As the dinner conversation began to wind down, Dimitri exchanged a subtle glance with Yaroslav, who responded with a knowing smirk. Thea, still absorbed in Nikolai's humorous tale about a man discovering his girlfriend's infidelity, didn't notice the shift. Yaroslav, however, watched her with an intensity that was both affectionate and possessive, his gaze lingering on her every movement. His eyes were dark, burning with a kind of intensity that made his obsession palpable.

Thea suddenly shivered, feeling as though a dangerous presence was nearby. Her heart raced as the hairs on her neck stood on end, a sense of being watched overwhelming her. She slowly turned her head, her eyes locking with Yaroslav's. His gaze was unapologetically focused on her, burning through her in a way that made her heart skip. Her cheeks flushed pink when she realized he wasn't even trying to hide the fact that he had been watching her the entire time. Embarrassed and flustered, she quickly averted her gaze, not able to withstand the sheer intensity of his eyes.

Yaroslav's smirk deepened as he observed her reaction, the way her breath hitched, the color rushing to her face. He relished how effortlessly he could affect her. She was his, even if she didn't fully realize it yet.

About ten minutes passed, and Dimitri leaned in closer to Yaroslav, whispering discreetly in his ear. "We've reached the destination," Dimitri murmured, his voice low but clear. Yaroslav's eyes darkened in response, a storm brewing beneath the surface. This night had turned out to be more perfect than he had anticipated—first, he had spent precious time with Thea, watching her laugh, her guard down, but now he had other business to attend to. The woman who had dared to look at Thea in the office as if warning her... she would regret that. Yaroslav's mood soured at the memory. He wouldn't leave any slight against Thea unpunished.

But none of that showed as Yaroslav smoothly rose to his feet, his movements graceful but deliberate. He walked over to Thea, his presence commanding the space around them. Bending down to her level, he gazed at her with a mixture of fondness and something darker, something that tugged at the edges of Thea's awareness but didn't quite register. "I have some work to take care of tonight, love," he said, his voice soft but firm. "You have college tomorrow. Go and get some sleep."

Thea frowned, her brow furrowing in confusion. "What kind of work do you have at this time of night?"

Before Yaroslav could respond, Dimitri stepped in, noticing the shift in Yaroslav's expression. He knew better than anyone that despite Yaroslav's manipulation and control, he never lied to Thea when she asked him something directly. If she pressed him, he would tell her everything, no matter how dark. Dimitri couldn't risk that. "Some Italians attacked one of our bases," Dimitri explained smoothly, his voice calm and casual. "We're heading out for an interrogation."

Thea blinked, taken aback for a moment. Sometimes, she forgot the reality of their world—the mafia. They were always so relaxed, so normal around her, that it was easy for her to forget who they really were. But moments like these, when they spoke casually about attacks and interrogations, brought her back to that dark truth. She nodded slowly, processing the information.

Standing, she said her goodnights to everyone, her voice soft but polite. When she reached Yaroslav, there was a lingering hesitation in her eyes, a silent question that she didn't quite know how to ask. "Goodnight, Yaroslav," she finally murmured.

Yaroslav leaned down again, closer this time, and with a teasing smile, he ruffled her hair playfully. Thea pouted, her eyes narrowing as she gave him a playful glare in return. But before she could protest, Yaroslav cupped her face in his hands, his touch gentle yet possessive. Thea's breath caught in her throat as he leaned in, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to her forehead. Her eyelids fluttered closed at the contact, the warmth of his lips spreading through her like a soothing balm.