WHEN HE DESIRES

NOVEMBER POV Thunder rolls across the night sky wild and loud. Rain slashes against the windows of the Romanov estate, each drop a reminder that my time was running out. I glance at the clock 9:52. Eight more minutes before someone comes in to check up on me. I quickly pulled the duvet over the pillows, I laid on the bed, placed a wig along with my phone inside the covers. The sound coming from my phone made it sound like I was still in bed sleeping. Grabbing my small backpack that was lying on the floor—a reminder of everything I owned in the past twenty-seven years of my life spent_ I slipped out through the glass door of my balcony. Rain hit my face, drenching me in seconds as soon as I stepped out. Strapping my bag tightly, I steadied myself on the railing, hissing sharply as my bruised ribs screamed out in pain. Between me and the cedar tree lies a six-foot drop of wet hard concrete ground. If I fail I could end up severely injured or worse—but I'd rather die trying than not trying at all. Four more minutes. With a huffed breath, I leaped off the railing, hands stretched out grabbing onto the first branch I could hold onto. I made it. Relieve and hope swelled inside of me as I hurried down the tree as fast as I could, grateful for the rain and the darkness that drowned out every noise I made. My heart thundered wildly as I reached the foot of the tree. Finally, one down one to go. I only made it twenty steps, then froze. Lightning flashes—illuminating the figure standing in the rain. One of Dimitri’s guards. The man smirks when he spots me. “Boss wouldn't want you to be out here by yourself, miss.” My breath catches as I step back… but another guard slips in from behind me, cutting off the escape. Shit. I was too busy thinking about running away I didn't notice I was being followed. “Let Rockie and I escort you back,” the first guard says, reaching his arm out to me with a smile on his face. I think he meant it to be reassuring, but it was just wolfish instead. "The boss never has to find out, if you cooperate that is." A lie. Dimitri would hear about this as soon as I followed them. What if he was already aware? I shuddered at the thought. Dimitri wouldn't kill me no he preferred breaking me. Torturing me. Whatever it takes to get me in line. The guard behind me grabbed my arm, forcefully pulling me towards the direction of the house. Hey, be careful with how you handle her," the guard with the wolfish grin said, but Rockie's grip on my arm tightened. No, no, no. My body reacts before I think. Pulling out the taser tucked in my waistband, I zapped him with it. The guard collapses with a howl. The second lunges at me, but I am smaller. Quicker. And desperate. I ducked, sliding beneath his outstretched arm, then zapped him with the taser before he had a chance to grab me. I don't allow myself to think as I tear across the muddy yard toward the trees. My lungs burn. My vision swims. Branches slap my face. But I don't stop. Lightning splits the sky again, bright enough to illuminate the narrow road ahead—the one that leads to the highway_ to the getaway car my friend had promised would be waiting for me. I prayed the car was there. Prayed that Lilian didn't pull out at the last minute. Pray that my leg holds out. Just as I reach the road, I see it—a black Camry waiting for me. Hope flares within me as I sprint towards it. Inside I found the key, some cash, a new phone with a sticky note on it that says "call me," and a new ID. I choked on my tears that were threatening to spill. I sent her a message instead I owe so much to Lilian that I don't want her to be involved with me any longer, and being in touch could put her in danger and could put me in danger as well. I've come to know Dimitri for a long time now, and I know what he is like. He won't stop until he has found me—not when I have something that belongs to him. I would depose the phone later, then ditch the car as well once it's served it use. I was finally free from Dimitri clutches and I plan on keeping it that way. However long it might take. KILLIAN POV I’ve always trusted three things: Instinct. Power. And debts that must be paid. I’ve never failed to settle one. Until now. I flipped through the photos my bodyguard had given me, my expression darkening with each passing face. None of them were hers. November Paige. One week since she vanished from the Romanov estate’s jurisdiction. Three weeks since I orchestrated her escape through her friend. She hadn’t taken the bait the way I expected. She took the cash. The ID. But not the phone. The tracker I planted in it—and the car—led nowhere. The vehicle was abandoned near Bayway Creek, close to a motel. Either she didn’t trust Lilian… —or she refused to drag her into this. Interesting. She's smart, at least, keeping herself hidden for this long. But how can I pay a debt if the woman in question is in hiding? Sigh. If it's hard enough for me to find her, then it would definitely be hard enough for that bastard—and for some reason, that thought left me strangely satisfied. Finding November Paige has gotten to be a challenge for me, but sooner or later I will find her. Everyone leaves traces and November Paige would be no exception. Three taps on my door interrupt my thoughts. Without waiting for my reply, the door opens and Luca walks in. "I found something," he said as he slid a picture to me. I stared at the picture in my hand. It was a woman with black hair and brown eyes staring at me. Although the hair and eye color are different, my instinct instantly tells me that she is the one. She has the same name as the ID. Luca continued, started working at a bakery five days ago. And she's also new in the neighborhood. "Where?" "Inwood." Get the car ready, I tell him, already rising to my feet. He nods. Right away. Tonight, I'm going to meet the daughter of the man who saved my life. Tonight, I finally get to pay my debt. "Sweet Haven." I mutter the words and try not to laugh at how ironic it sounds. She must really want to lie to herself if she thinks this place offers her some sort of safety. A black-haired figure moving in the bakery caught my attention. November. She is wiping down the counter, her dark hair tied up into a ponytail. I watched her for a while in my car, deciding whether to wait for her to close up or just to go meet her. Not being one to just sit and wait, I pick the latter. The bell above jingles announcing my arrival. Sorry, but we are closed for the day, she tells me without looking up. "I'm quite aware." She suddenly freezes on alert now. Then, ever so slowly, she raised her head to look at me. "Well, we're closed for the day sir. You can come back tomorrow when the bakery is fully open." She forced a tight smile at me as she spoke, but I could see the slight fear and worry in her eyes. I'm not here for pastries. I say as I make my way towards her. She flinched as I approached. "But I do need your assistance." "Sir, if you do need help, I think it's best to contact emergency services." I only hummed in response, leaning against the counter right into her space, making her feel my presence. I caught a whiff of her scent when I did—she smelled like vanilla — sweet and intoxicating, with a mix of something else that I couldn't quite tell before she took a step back away from. Her eyes darted everywhere looking for a means of escape. There isn't. Please leave now or I'll call the cops. She threatened. I drag my gaze across her face slowly and clinically, spotting the mole under her right eye and the birthmark on each side of her collarbone. My instincts were right. "I'm not here to hurt you," I tell her, but the look she gave me shows she didn't believe me. I... She starts to say but I cut her off. "I'm looking for someone. A woman to be precise." She swallowed. "This is a bakery where lots of women stop by." "Not like this one." My eyes never leave hers as I speak. "Her name is November Paige." Her face turned pale, so pale I thought she might faint. Gripping the counter, she tried to keep her face neutral but failed—her left eye kept twitching. I don't know who that is. She whispers. I studied her in silence as I read her reaction with faint amusement. She really is a terrible liar, surprisingly so. "I didn't ask if you knew her, I said slowly, I said I'm looking for her." She stared at me as though she had seen a ghost. She glances at the rolling pin sitting on the shelf beside her. She inches her hand toward it. The corner of my lips lifts as I tilt my head. “You’re going to hit me with that little baker?” She hesitates a bit before grabbing the roller pin and holding it out in front of her. “I don’t like being cornered,” she whispers. “You’re not cornered. Believe me, if I wanted to corner you, little baker, you would know.” She shakes her head. "I haven't seen who you're looking for. Now leave." I gave her a disbelieving look before finally taking a step back from her. "Alright, if you say so." I could see her breath a sigh of relief. "Sorry for the inconvenience." I said as I took my leave. I'll leave her be. For now, that is.