“You’re such a fucking cocktease. Did you know that?”

“Mmmfop!” He’s still keeping me from talking, so I try to kick him, but he pulls away at the last second and steps on my foot, the sole of his shoe nearly crushing my bones.

“Ahhhhh!” I scream into his palm. No, no, no…

“Do that again and I will break your fucking legs, Lia. You’ll be good, won’t you?”

I nod, tears of both desperation and pain clinging to my lids.

“You’re going to come with me, nice and easy.”

I’m about to nod, just so he’ll get off my foot. Anything to protect it.

But before I can do anything, a shadow appears behind Ryan. Strong fingers wrap around his face and neck.

Fingers that only appear in my dreams these days. Fingers I would recognize anywhere.

If not for the searing pain from Ryan’s shoe, I’d think this is another dream, but it’s far from it.

The blue lights cast a scary glow on his face as he rips Ryan from me.

Adrian.

11

Lia

Adrian is here.

That thought isn’t fully implemented in my mind when the reality of what’s happening slams into me.

I don’t even focus on the fact that my throbbing foot is free from Ryan’s shoe.

The view in front of me is more shocking. More demanding of my attention.

Adrian stands behind Ryan, wrapping both of his strong hands around his neck and jaw. His fingers are sure and confident with no show of any hesitation or second thoughts whatsoever. Under the blue light, his eyes are blank, emotionless, just like that day he shot that man in the head as if he were killing a fly.

“What is this?” Ryan struggles back against Adrian, trying to elbow him, but it’s no use. “Do you know who I am—”

His words are cut off when Adrian tightens his hold on his neck and speaks with a neutral Russian accent, “I’d shut up if I were you unless you want your neck snapped in the next second.”

Ryan’s face reddens as he struggles for breath. The wide look in his sleazy eyes is proof enough that he understands what type of clusterfuck he’s gotten himself into. I have no doubt in my mind that Adrian would break his neck or his jaw without a single blink.

As much as I hate Ryan and his behavior, I don’t wish him—or anyone—death. Especially not by the hands of a callous man like Adrian.

Ryan’s eyes meet mine, pleading, imploring. His lips are blue, and his thrashes and attempts to pry Adrian’s hold away are futile. If anything, the more he struggles, the faster his body loses oxygen.

“Adrian…” I whisper, trying to sound normal despite my escalating nerves. “Let him go.”

“It appears he put his hand on you.” Though his tone is calm, matching the blankness in his eyes, his actions are anything but. They’re ruthless with the intention of finishing a life. “In fact, he didn’t only put his hands on you, but also his feet and his cock, which I will cut off and feed to him.”

He hits the back of Ryan’s leg and I gasp as my dance partner falls to his knees in front of me, wheezing as if the air has been knocked out of his lungs.

“We’ll start with breaking the legs first.” Adrian steps on Ryan’s calves and an ugly, haunted sob leaves the dancer’s lips.

I’m wrenched back from my dizzy state as I rush to Adrian and grab his muscled arm, shaking my head frantically. “Don’t do that.”

He doesn’t pay attention to me as he yanks Ryan’s head back using his hands on his face. “He tried to crush your foot just now.”

“I’m not him. Adrian, please. You…you don’t understand what our legs mean to us.”

“The only thing I understand is that he has a strike and needs to be taken care of.”

My stomach churns at those words, taken care of. As in, killed.

I dig my nails into his shirt and pull, knowing full well that my strength doesn’t match up to his, but it’s the only way I can think of to make him release Ryan.

“Don’t…please,” I murmur.

Adrian’s head tilts to the side, meeting my gaze for the first time since he appeared behind Ryan like the Grim Reaper. His face is still expressionless, but a muscle clenches under his stubbled jaw.

“Why are you defending him after what he did to you?”

“I’m not defending him. I just don’t want to be the reason behind someone losing their career.”

“He was ready to endanger yours.”

“I told you, I’m not him.” I pause before adding in a low voice, “Or you.”

Adrian doesn’t comment on that, keeping his merciless hold on Ryan, as if he plans to break his leg and snap his neck at the same time.

“Please…” I pull on his arm. I have no clue why I think I’d have any type of effect on Adrian when he made it blatantly clear that he’s the one who calls the shots, but a part of me wants to believe that I can make a difference.

That I can prevent killing a dancer’s legs.

Playing my last card, I rise on my tiptoes and press a kiss to Adrian’s jaw. It’s supposed to be a gesture to lower his guard, but I end up being the one with my guard down.

All the emotions I’ve experienced since I first met him rush to the surface. The frustration, the unknown, and the damn longing that I don’t want to admit to.

All those feelings have been there, biding their time, waiting for this exact moment when my mouth meets his skin. My lips quiver for a second too long before I pull back, my heart hammering so loud, I’m almost sure he hears it.

Adrian’s hold loosens from around Ryan’s neck and my dance partner uses the chance to try and scurry away, but his leg is still trapped underneath Adrian’s leather shoes.

“P-please…” It’s Ryan who’s begging now, tears shining in his eyes as he struggles for air while trying to pull his leg from underneath Adrian.

The devil from both my dreams and nightmares levels Ryan with a harsh glare. A shiver zips down my spine, even though it’s not directed at me.

He could kill with that look alone.

“This is your first and final strike.” Adrian digs the sole of his shoe into Ryan’s calf, making him cry out. “Touch her again and I’ll make sure you’re paralyzed for life.”