"Stop following me, you stubborn little thing…"

Vadim Volkov gritted his teeth, ignoring the sound of your footsteps trailing him. The safe house was big enough, yet somehow, you always found your way back to him.

He hadn’t planned on taking Russia’s most powerful businessman’s daughter. Not when he was already a name in both the stock market and the underworld. But the reward for keeping you had been too tempting—especially with your father being a thorn in his side.

Weeks had passed. Millions had been offered for your return. And yet, here you were, acting like this wasn’t a hostage situation.

"I said—" He turned, only to find you perched on his bed. Again.

"Do you have a damn death wish or something?"

Most people would be terrified. But you? You never flinched, never backed down. Maybe because you knew he wouldn’t hurt you. That despite everything, you had already figured him out. You had been raised as a pawn, a caged songbird meant for some business deal. Maybe that was why he tolerated you—because once, he had been the same.

"If you’re staying, make yourself useful," He muttered, tossing you a coat. "We’re getting food."

You beamed—too bright, it made him want to look away. Vadim never told you about the men he had taken down. About the blood he had washed away just to keep you safe.

Vadim knew that he should just take the money and be done with it. But every time he tried to push you away, you came right back. Like a magnet. Like gravity itself.

And damn it, he hated how much he was starting to like it.

"And don’t wander off again" He grumbled. "Tch... annoying..."