Chapter 10

Sotza debated leaving her alone to stew over this new development. Let the fear gather in her heart. She'd think about running. Maybe take that bodyguard she's so fond of. He wouldn't let her though. He'd scoop her up before she even hit the city limits. And then the actual courting could begin.

But Sotza knew her better than that. He was learning everything he could about the delightful woman that was about to become his wife. Every time she made a move he discovered more, filed away the knowledge of her. How she lived, how she worked, the things she liked, what she didn't like. She certainly didn't like receiving heads in boxes.

He hit her contact on his phone. He wasn't at all surprised when she picked up with, "What, you didn't feel like sneaking into my apartment this evening? I thought you enjoyed preying on helpless women in the dark."

She didn't seem the least bit grateful for this latest gift. In fact, seemed to be in a bit of a temper. He pictured her fair complexion flushing with anger and had to shift in his chair, adjust his pants. "I thought you might enjoy an engagement gift."

"I only enjoy my severed heads followed by absurdly expensive jewelry," she snapped sarcastically. "Why'd you kill him?"

"He had his men shoot at you, Vee. You nearly died during your last run-in with him," he explained calmly. "I can't have people shooting at my future wife. Sets a bad precedent."

She didn't speak for a moment, but he could hear her breath coming out in short angry exhales as she tried to compose herself, tried not to scream at him. "I needed him, Sotza. And you murdered him so you could solidify your claim in the US and undermine everything I've been working for."

"I know." He took a thoughtful pause. She really wasn't getting it. Perhaps he needed to reinforce his position, but just a gentle reminder. For now, anyway. "But you don't need him, Vee. You don't need any of your former contacts. Once we're married you'll stand at my side, running things with me. Not against me. And never in danger."

"You. Are. Insane," she bit out.

He laughed. She really was delightful. "Not really, but you'll soon get a chance to know all of my charming characteristics."

"Over my dead body," she snarled.

"Ah, never that, amor," he assured her. "But if you keep up this resistance, this wonderful dance we're doing, the dead bodies will continue to pile up. Why don't we just cut to the end and you agree to quit the fight and become my wife?"

"You know what happened to my last husband, right?" she asked as though talking to a child.

"Of course, a stellar piece of work there. Executing a weak ruler and flawlessly picking up where he left off." He reached for his drink, Red Rose tea with one sugar, and took a quick sip. "You will make an exemplary partner. I'm honestly becoming as impatient as a young bridegroom."

No response for a moment and he wondered what she was thinking. He found her all the more enticing for thinking that she could change his mind. Nothing she said or did would change his mind. They were a match made in heaven. Had been from the moment he set eyes on her, but he became more convinced each time he saw her, talked with her. She was vicious, intelligent and beautiful. He couldn't have asked for a better woman to come into his life. He didn't mind chasing her around a bit, cornering her in her beloved city until she had nowhere to go but into his waiting arms.

"Alright," she finally said. "Nothing I say is going to convince you otherwise. But if you ever do manage to get me to an alter it will be one hundred percent unwilling. And you'll have to sleep with one eye open for the rest of your life."

"I'm sure we'll settle into married life blissfully," he replied, a smile curving his lips.

"And for the record, no woman likes to receive body parts as an engagement gift, asshole." Each word a little grenade lobbed at him. He let her have the last word, mostly because she hung up on him.

Sotza lowered the phone and took a sip of tea, picturing Vee, flushed with anger, stomping around her condo. She was a beautiful woman, but he particularly liked when her cheeks were blushing pink. It complemented her smooth, silky blond hair. He'd never been particularly attracted to any single type of woman. Thought they were all fine. Fucked the ones that attracted him, when he felt like it. Not often. Women got complicated and annoying. And he preferred not to kill them unless it became unavoidable. But Vee, she was different. Her cool beauty called to him, but her fiery temper captured and held his attention. Her intelligence, her determination, her pride, it all sealed the deal.

There was almost nothing he wasn't willing to do to ensure her place at his side. Including cornering and trapping her in her own city. He'd give her one more move, just for fun. After that, it would be time to collect his queen.