Heart of My Monster (Monster Trilogy #3) by Rina Kent

“Then she won’t stop until it does.”

His chest rises and falls in an intense rhythm. “What am I supposed to do now? I don’t think Kris is safe around her anymore.”

“I can kick Yulia out.”

He pauses, touches his neck, then sighs, “She’d ask me to come along.”

“Then say no, motherfucker. Unless you’re in the mood to witness a tragedy?”

“Of course not.”

“Then I will make it happen first thing in the morning.” I clink my glass against his.

He drinks, though he still seems hesitant. Konstantin’s problem is that he always tries to see some of Yulia’s good side. It makes sense, considering all the love she poured out on him. At some point, she ended up asphyxiating him, and he always hated her attitude toward us, even if he pretended he didn’t.

“You might want to look further into Yakov,” Konstantin says.

“What for?”

“He’s her right hand in everything I refuse to take part in.”

Hmm.

Interesting.

This could be the clue I’ve been missing at the basis of my theory. I shoot Viktor a text.

Check Yakov’s whereabouts around the time of the cottage’s bombing and any possible communications with Makar.

Soon after, we’re joined by Adrian, who’s also not a fan of being separated from his wife. We don’t have to enjoy each other’s company, though, because thankfully, our evening is all set.

I have a few meetings with the Yakuza and the Luciano leaders, but my mind is occupied with other, more pressing issues.

When I go back to the main hall, I catch a glimpse of Kristina with Konstantin, and Rai is talking to Kyle. Lia is with her husband’s guards, but there’s no trace of Sasha.

A potent sense of paralyzing terror grabs hold of me, and I have to force myself to breathe properly as I call her. Her phone is turned off.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!

I ask Kristina about my wife’s whereabouts, and she says Sasha left a while earlier.

Does that mean she left for good? Have I been blindsided?

I head to our room two steps at a time while twisting my wedding ring until I nearly break my finger the fuck off.

When I open the door and go inside, my breathing slowly returns to normal. Sasha is lying on the sofa, eyes closed and arms wrapped around her middle.

Fuck.

Fucking fuck.

If I keep going like this, I might have a heart attack the moment she disappears on me again.

I need that tracker on her. Now.

Yes, I still have her at the moment, but who knows what will happen in a few days or even a few hours.

My alarm has reached levels I can’t control anymore. It’s gotten to the point where I’ve become apprehensive about leaving the house and, therefore, her.

I’ve just finished texting Viktor to make the arrangements, when Sasha stirs. She props herself up on her elbows, eyes sleepy and voice husky. “Who is it?”

“It’s me.” I slip my phone back into my pocket.

She sits up, recognition slowly returning to her eyes. “Have I been gone for too long? I just needed a little nap.”

“Since when do you need naps?”

She swallows but soon smiles. “You haven’t been letting me get enough sleep lately, in case you didn’t notice.”

“Hmm.”

“And you probably won’t hold back tonight either, will you?” She starts to stand up, but I shake my head.

Sasha’s confused eyes meet mine, and I watch her closely for a few seconds. “What’s going on, wife?”

“What…do you mean?”

“You know exactly what I mean. You’ve changed, and I need to figure out the reason why. I’m offering you the chance to tell me yourself amicably. If you refuse, I might have to use methods you don’t approve of.”

“Nothing’s changed.”

“Bullshit. One more chance.”

“Kirill…”

“Is it your family? Are they sucking you in again? Is it because of any of the meetings with Anton? Is he turning you against me? Are you choosing to believe their propaganda?”

“That’s not—”

“Then give me something!” I cut her off, my voice losing all its cool before I release a breath and attempt to grasp onto my nonexistent calm. “Last chance.”

“It’s really nothing.”

“Very well.” I adjust my glasses. “Come here.”

She walks carefully, her eyes shining when she notices the animalistic lust that must be visible on my face.

Sasha is the perfect mirror of my primitive tendencies. The fact that she gets excited whenever I’m close to the edge is a clear indication of how compatible we are.

“Stop,” I order, and she comes to a halt. “On your knees.”

Sasha gets into the position slowly, as if she’s never been there before.

“Now, crawl to me. Show me how much you want my cock.”

Her lips part, and I swear she’s about to say something, but instead, she gets on all fours and slowly crawls to me. The slope of her pale tits tease from beneath the décolletage, creating a contrast against the black fabric.

A gentle sway lifts her hips, and a pink blush covers her cheeks and throat. My Sasha takes her time in the seduction game, not hurrying nor slowing down, as if she knows exactly the type of effect she’s having on my starved cock.