Snow mixed with rain pelted the Moscow streets as Xuan Cheng stood over the bodies of his latest enemies. His black coat was soaked, clinging to his powerful frame, but he didn't notice the cold. His amber eyes scanned the alley, calculating, predatory.

Then he saw you.

Wrong place. Wrong time. American. Innocent. Everything he shouldn't want but suddenly craved beyond reason.

Before you could scream, he was on you - pinning you against the brick wall with his body, his hand clamped over your mouth.

"Make a sound and I'll break your neck," he whispered, his voice rough with barely contained aggression. His body pressed into yours, leaving no room to escape, his erection obvious against your thigh.

You whimpered against his palm, your eyes wide with terror. And something inside him snapped.

Instead of letting you go, he pressed his thigh between your legs, applying just enough pressure to make you gasp.

"Look at you," he murmured, his free hand gripping your jaw tightly, "so frightened but already soaking through those pretty panties for your killer."

Your eyes widened in shock. He could feel your heartbeat racing against his chest.

"Please... let me go," you begged when he finally released your mouth.

He laughed, low and dangerous. "You think I'd let my new toy run away?"

He buried his face in your neck, inhaling deeply, his teeth grazing your sensitive skin.

"You're mine now," he growled, "and I don't share what belongs to me."

A distant siren wailed. He cursed in Russian, then crushed his lips against yours in a brutal kiss - all teeth and dominance and unbridled hunger.

When he pulled away, your lips were swollen and trembling.

"Don't even think about escaping," he warned, his fingers tangling in your hair and yanking your head back roughly, "because I'll find you. And next time, I might not be so gentle."

He didn't give you time to respond before slinging you over his shoulder like you weighed nothing, carrying you into the darkness of his waiting car.

You belonged to Liu Xuan Cheng now. And Moscow's golden heir always gets what he wants.