Burn

Chapter Nine

Viktor:

"Good morning, dad." I sighed as i finally answered the phone.

He has been on my ass for the past few days, demanding to know what has been happening between Brianna and I .

I kept telling him that nothing was happening, but he knew me better than that.

"Don't use that tone with me, boy. Do I have to come down there to smack some sense into you?" He growled and I rolled my eyes.

"Calm down, old man. Before you catch another heart attack." I heard him grumbling under his breath and I couldn't help the smirk that settled on my lips.

"What is going on between you and Brianna, Viktor? And don't give me that nothing bullshit." He snapped.

"Dad, we're just-" I heard him let out a loud sigh before I could continue.

"Viktor I know you well enough to know that you're going to go after this girl no matter what I do or say. Just, please. Don't hurt her. She's been through more than enough already. That's my best friends daughter and I made my friend a promise that I would take care of her and I want to remain true to my word." His voice choked a little and I couldn't help but frown.

"I know that, Dad. But I'm genuinely interested and infatuated with her. I'm not going to do anything to her and I'm not going to hurt her. I promise." I said.

"I hope you're right, son." He said quietly.

We talked for a few more minutes, and I made him a promise that I would come by with Brianna for dinner on Sunday, before he hung up.

I heard the door open and I looked up with a smile, ready to greet my feisty little kitten.

"Good mor- What the f**k are you doing here?" I growled, the smile on my lips dying, replaced by a scowl.

"Is that anyway to greet your ex-wife, darling?"

"Ex for a reason. Again I ask, what the f**k are you doing here?"

"We need to talk." I looked at the woman I used to love, the woman I gave my all to, and couldn't help but curl my lip in disgust.

Elizabeth was well put together, as always. Long brunette hair pulled back into a sleek hairstyle, not a single hair out of place.

Her dress was skin tight as it always was and she was almost my height in the towering heels she always wore.

Anyone looking at her would think that she was the epitome of class and grace, but I knew better.

She was a viperous b***h.

"We have nothing to talk about. I said all that I had to say to you already." I spat out.

"It's concerning Ashton." My fists tightened hearing the name, and I was about to respond when Brianna walked in.

"Good morning. Who is this?" The smile slowly vanished from her lips, her eyes moving between Elizabeth and I curiously, cautiously.

When Elizabeth opened her mouth, I silenced her with a harsh glare and she gave Brianna a cynical smile.

"She's not anybody important, little kitten. In fact she was just leaving." I grabbed Elizabeth's arm tightly and guided her to the door, walking out with her.

"Do not mention anything about this to anybody. I'll come over tonight and we'll talk then." I muttered lowly so only she can hear.

"Is that your new lover?" The glint in her eye did not bode well with me and I felt my jaw clench tightly.

"She is not any concern of yours. Stay the f**k away from her, this is your only warning." I said coldly, but she smirked.

"Whatever you say, darling. I'll see you later." She walked away with her head held high and I sighed.

I made my way back into the office, and I saw Brianna standing at the window, looking down at the busy street below.

I walked up behind her, feeling her tense as I wrapped my arms around her middle, pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head.

"Good morning, little kitten." I whispered.

"Good morning." She pulled out of my arms, turning to face me.

"Who was that lady?" She asked, and I almost winced as I wished she didn't ask.

"That was no one for you to worry about, little kitten." I said.

I could tell that she did not like my answer, but she nodded, turning away from me.

"You're right, what you do in your personal life is none of my business." She picked up her handbag, moving to the door.

Ah, f**k.

I grabbed her hand, pulling her to a stop.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going to my office. I have some paperwork to catch up on." She wiggled her arm out of my grip and was out of the door before I could stop her.

Dammit.

~.~

Brianna:

I buried myself in work for the rest of the day, shutting out the outside world. I had the secretary hold all my calls as I did not want to see or deal with anyone.

I know I had no right to be upset with Viktor. It was not like we were together, but damn.

I was replaying our night over and over in my head, but he was clearly thinking about other women.

"You stupid girl. Did you really think you were special?" I muttered to myself, shaking my head.

I pushed the thoughts back to recesses of my mind, instead searching for places for the second vineyard.

I worked all through my lunch, not really having much of an appetite. I heard a knock on my door, but I ignored it because I knew it was Viktor.

This is the third time he's come knocking on my door, and I've ignored it every single time.

"Brianna, open the door." He sounded more irritated this time, but I didn't give two f***s.

I continued making my notes, emailing a list of the venues to both Viktor and Egor so that they could have a look.

I heard the lock in my door turn, and my head shot up as the door flew open, Viktor stepping in and locking the door behind him.

"What are you doing?!" I hissed, glaring at him, but he matched my look with one of his own.

"I do not take too kindly to bring ignored, Brianna." He stalked towards me, taking a hold of the arms of my chair and spinning me to face him.

He stared at me, but I looked away from him, staring down at my hands in my lap.

His hand grasped my chin, and he forced me to look up at him.

"You've been avoiding me all day. Why?"

"Who was that woman this morning?" I answered his question with a question and I saw his jaw clench tightly.

"She was no one important, just someone of my past." He answered vaguely and I rolled my eyes.

"If you're not going to be honest with me Viktor, this is not going to work. I'm not about to give you any part of me and you can't be honest with me." I said and he scoffed.

"What can you give me when you're still in a f*****g relationship?" He shot back, and I felt my heart drop in my chest.

I saw the regret flash across his face as soon as the words were out his mouth, but I pushed away from him, standing and grabbing my handbag.

"Wait, f**k Brianna. I shouldn't have said that." I shut my computer down, completely and utterly done for the day.

"No, you're right Mr. Markov, there's clearly nothing I can offer you. I'll be taking the rest of the day off, and I'll be back in the morning to discuss the venues. Enjoy the rest of your day." I bolted out of there, ignoring his calls of my name as I made my way to the elevator quickly, fighting back tears.

"Brianna, wait. Please." He tried grabbing me but I moved quicker, opting to take the stairs since the elevator would only slow me down.

I kicked off my heels and ran down the twenty nine floors to the ground floor, hearing him following behind me. I was winded by the time I made it into the lobby, but I didn't let that stop me as I climbed down the last flight of stairs to the underground parking lot.

"Brianna, dammit!" He grabbed me just as I burst through the door, slamming me against the wall next to it.

"I'm sorry. That is not something I should have said." He barely broke a sweat, meanwhile I could hardly catch my breath.

"Just let me go." I panted, too tired to fight him.

"Forgive me, please little kitten." He murmured, leaning his forehead against mine.

"I just want to go home Viktor, please." He stared at me for a few long moments, before letting me go with a sigh.

"I'm sorry, Brianna." He said softly.

"There's nothing for you to be sorry for. I'll see you tomorrow." I dropped my heels onto the ground, slipping my feet back into them and making my way to my car.

I could feel his eyes on me as I slipped in, felt his stare as I started the car and pulled out of the underground parking lot into the bush streets of New York.