Blood & Torment (Pins and Needles: Moscow Book 2) by Elizabeth Knox (best short books to read TXT) 📕

a part of something like that. I know nice people can do bad things and I know bad people who do some serious, not nice things. If they’re like in my books and were a part of something, then it’s whatever as long as myself or the people I love don’t get hurt in the process. Otherwise, I don’t give a flying fuck.

“Come on, let’s get you back to work,” Ruslan says from the door of the café.

“Is he still out there?” I ask, peeking around him, scanning the streets for some sort of glimpse of him. I’m terrified to see him, his evil eyes, or that damn near frightening sneer he’s always sporting . . . but I need to know it’s safe.

“I didn’t see anyone, but if he was, he’s not there anymore,” Ruslan tells me as he wraps an arm around my shoulders. He rubs his hand along my shoulder cap in a soothing manner, trying to reassure me I’m safe with him. God, I’m so lucky to have a friend like Ruslan. Without him and Sascha, I don’t know what I’d do. Hell, I’m lucky on all accounts when it comes to my friends.

Guiding me across the street, he walks me into Pins and Needles. We walk past the receptionist area and I suck in a deep breath at not being close to the front door. Meanwhile, Kronid and Michail are both coming through the door to the back area.

“Ruslan, what’s going on?” Kronid asks before Michail gets the chance.

Michail looks between us and at the contents in my hands.

“What happened?” he asks, wrapping an arm around me as I step away from Ruslan.

I’m too shaken up to speak, so Ruslan takes over for me. Thank goodness. I don’t know if I even have the courage to speak up.

“Sascha called me from across the street and said Trista saw Jacob standing in the alley. I went over to walk her back here so she’d feel safe. Wanted to make sure the fucker didn’t try anything either,” Ruslan mutters.

“Thank you,” Michail says tersely and tightens his arm around me even further. Ruslan nods and walks toward the back of the shop.

Okay, so maybe my imagination is correct.

“You okay, kukakla?” I nod, biting my bottom lip, not sure what else I should say right now. Nothing in life really prepares you for your crazy ex to start stalking you or doing whatever the fuck he is right now.

“I’m sorry. I’m sure you’re upset with me. I should’ve waited for you or called you. I just . . . I was too afraid. I told Sascha and froze up,” I whisper, casting my gaze to the floor in complete shame.

“Trista, look at me,” Michail gently says his command. I do so and out of the corner of my eye, I notice Kronid watching us. “Don’t fear me, kukakla. Remember, I would never hurt you, even when you do something you shouldn’t. Just . . . next time if you want to do something as simple as go across the street to get coffee, say something to me. I will take you, and I will make sure you’re protected.”

Nodding, I lean into him, needing to feel the safeness he gives me from being in his arms once more. I don’t pay anyone or anything else any mind at all while I focus on him and the way he makes me feel. How he settles me makes everything else going on around us seem less serious.

“Let’s get you out of here,” he suggests and guides me out of Pins and Needles, straight to his car. I had to work today, but I don’t even put up a fight. After seeing Jacob, I’m way too mind fucked to be helpful to the parlor.

When we get to my apartment, he guides me straight to my room, where he proceeds to gently remove my clothes. His clothes follow mine to the floor and he lays me down on the bed.

Climbing up over me, he peppers kisses along my skin. My breathing grows heavier the closer he comes to my apex. Michail runs a finger through my slit and groans when he finds I’m already dripping for him. I don’t know why he’s deciding to take this route, but I don’t much care. I just want to feel something besides the fear. If this is his idea for distracting me, I’m all for it. Inhaling, he presses a kiss to my pelvic bone and moves up to press a kiss to the scar Jacob gave me.

Lifting himself further, he lines himself up with my core and meets my gaze. “I want you to remember one thing, kukakla, you’re safe with me. Never fear me because my hands may be stained, but they will never be stained with your blood.”

Oh my.

With those words, he slides into me ever so slowly. Michail takes his time, thrusting into me inch by excruciatingly slow inch.

My breath hitches and I lick my lips. “I know I’m safe with you, Michail. I trust you . . . in fact, I trust you in a way I’ve never trusted anyone,” I whisper, reaching up to brush my hands along his chest and cup his shoulders.

“Good, because I’ll protect you no matter what, and you giving me your trust means the world to me,” Michail murmurs and begins to increase his momentum with his thrusts.

Soon he has me panting and begging for more. When I come, I cry out his name and I’m arching my back to get closer to him, needing more of him and his magical cock. He intensifies his pace even more, which immediately throws me into a spiral of ecstasy and I bite down on his shoulder as my orgasm rips through me.

We may have mind-blowing sex every day of the week, but this man has more of me than anyone else ever has—Michail has my heart.

Chapter Seventeen

Michail

I’ve watched for him every day, even talked Kronid into