Possessive - Paperback

I Struck A Deal With The Devil...And Lost.

For years, I followed orders and obeyed instructions.
I always put the family first,
Until temptation consumed me.

I made mistakes and lost my focus, putting a target on my own back.
I changed the game, risked it all, and collected a prize.
His prize.

So when the devil came to collect, I had two options.
Join him...or kill him.

POSSESSIVE is the second book in the Dark Gothic Russian Bratva series, SEVERINOV BRATVA, by USA Today Bestselling author Kristen Luciani. It is a standalone dark mafia romance, complete with a guaranteed HEA and no cheating.

“Leaving already?”
I gasp, spinning around. “Oh my God, you startled me!”
The man leaning against the bar smirks, his deep brown eyes and full pink lips pure devil.
Devil in the most deliciously seductive way.
I’m in love already.
“Too deep in your own thoughts, huh?”
I nod. “Yes, but I’m glad you pulled me out of them. I was starting to drown.”
“Heavy stuff?”
I shrug. “Yeah, you know. Basically, just my future. And my dreams. And my life.”
“I’m glad I rescued you, then.”
“Me, too.” I tap a finger against my cheek. Who the hell is this guy? He’s not hanging with the other suits. And he doesn’t have girls hanging off of his dick right now like all the other ones. I narrow my eyes. He’s too handsome to be alone at this point in the evening.
No, wait.
Handsome is too generic. Too simple. Too basic.
This guy is hot as fuck. He oozes sophistication, class, and confidence. And I’ve never met anyone who could make me drop my skirt with a flash of his eyes. His searing gaze scorches every inch of my skin it travels over, and I’m pretty sure it just evaporated my panties.
Not melted.
Vaporized.
My knees wobble, and I grab a nearby wall for support. Is it possible? Could he be—?
“I saw you perform tonight.”
Holy fuck! He is! It takes every ounce of restraint that I have in me to keep from throwing myself into his very large and muscular arms. “Really?” I respond in what I pray sounds like a coy tone. I twist a long curl around my finger and take a couple of steps closer to him.
“Really.” He takes a sip of a clear liquid and puts the glass on the bar behind him. “Can I convince you to stay and have a drink with me?”
I nod wordlessly because my brain is having a hard time stringing together a coherent thought.
He waves at the bartender and reaches for my hand, brushing his soft lips against it. My heart damn-near stops. “What’s your name?” he murmurs.
“Myla,” I whisper, clearing my throat.
“Beautiful and unique.” His smile widens. “It suits you.”
“Thank you.” I bite down on my lower lip when a champagne flute is set down in front of me. Anxious to do something with my hands, I grab the flute and take a long sip, hoping it’ll calm me down enough to carry on a conversation with this god of a man.
A man whose name I still don’t know.
“Aren’t you going to tell me yours?” I ask.
“It’s Leo.”
“Leo.” I smile, letting the effects of the champagne settle into my lust-infused brain. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“I had a hard time taking my eyes off of you. I hoped that you’d be here so I could meet you.”
“You did?” I rasp, my heart hammering against my chest. Real smooth, Myla. Try hard not to melt into a puddle of goo at his feet, for Christ’s sake!
“Yeah.” He steps closer, studying me with his penetrating gaze. He brings his fingertips to the side of my face, tracing a path over my cheekbone.
Suddenly, the world around us fades to the background. All sounds become white noise. Nothing exists other than the two of us. My breath stills, my skin prickling with a latent desire I didn’t even know existed.
“There’s something so pure and innocent about you. So hopeful. So perfect.” He leans closer, his lips so close to mine I can feel his breath flutter against my chin.
I swallow hard. My mouth parts in anticipation, my eyes fluttering closed, waiting for him to—
“How long have you been dancing?”
The sudden words make my eyes fly open and I step back, taking a few deep breaths to settle my racing heart. What the hell just happened? Did I imagine all of that?
A strange expression shadows Leo’s face, and my chest tightens. What made him pull away from me? That connection was like nothing I’ve ever experienced, and I know he felt it, too. Is this some kind of sick game he’s playing with me?
I grip my champagne glass and take another long gulp, trying to play off the desire now coursing through my veins. “Oh, um, my whole life. I studied jazz and modern dance in Russia since I was old enough to stand. And I performed for different companies when my family lived there. I traveled, received countless awards and multiple scholarships. After we moved to Brooklyn a few years ago, I just kept working as hard as I could for the chance to be selected for a major dance company. It’s always been my dream to dance here in the United States and to be part of a nationally acclaimed show.” Okay, so much for restraint. I couldn’t keep my mouth shut right now if it was wired. I’ll blame my motor mouth on nerves, not the fact that this man has turned me inside out in a matter of minutes.
Leo nods, all business now. What the hell? “I can see how enthusiastic you are about the art. Good for you. You have the talent and you deserve to find success.” He leans closer, taking my hand and pulling me toward him once more.
As if hypnotized, I allow him to lead me into his space again. Whatever restraint he’d been practicing only moments earlier is now gone. For good, I hope. I drink in every detail about his chiseled face, every shade of gold and caramel flickering in his dark eyes, his smooth, bronze skin that my fingertips beg to touch. The scent of his spicy cologne teases my nostrils and his lips...God, I want to taste them so badly.
For chrissakes! This guy could be about to offer me a spot in his dance company and here I am fantasizing about his lips and fuck-me eyes?
His lips brush against my hair and my eyes float closed as the soft vibrations roll through me. I am so damn near close to swooning at this very second. But he’s about to say something, and I don’t want to miss a single word.
It could be just what I’ve been wishing for.
A new chapter.
A new life.
The future I’ve dreamt about.
I can finally leave the past behind me.
Mom and Dad won’t have to argue about how to keep me safe anymore.
And I won’t have to live with the constant fear that the people we ran from will eventually find us.
Me.
And then Leo speaks the words that stop me in my euphoric tracks.
“If you’re as smart as you are beautiful, you’ll get on a plane back to New York tonight and forget about this place and that you ever met any of these people.”
My eyes pop open, and I recoil, my dreams turning to dust just like half the world did when Thanos snapped his fingers. Leo’s fingertip caresses my cheek and traces the outline of my lips.
“What are you saying?” I gasp. “And who the hell are you, Leo?”
“Things aren’t always as they seem. Don’t you think this whole scene is too good to be true?” Leo mutters, ignoring my question about who he is. “Look around. Does any of this seem normal to you? Judging by the look on your face, I’m guessing you’ve already thought the same thing, at least once or twice.”
“This was my chance. My big break,” I whisper.
“It is your chance. Your one chance to save yourself. You’ll thank me someday, I promise.” Leo wraps his arms around my waist, his lips grazing the side of my cheek. “But right now, don’t think,” he murmurs. “Don’t question. Just go. Before it’s too late.”