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“Katarina.”
The voice comes from somewhere outside.
I sit up, looking around. A moment ago, it was as if the door was calling to me.
“Hello?” I try to get a response.
“I’m going to come in now.”
It’s the same voice. One word after another. Soft and quiet, as if the speaker is afraid of someone overhearing us.
The beeping that comes from the other side tells me that the door is more secure than just being locked with a key.
Once the beeping stops, the door opens. The dim lights come to life instantly.
I wince at the brightness.
As my eyes adjust to it, I see a shadow stepping through the door and closing it behind him.
Instinct has me scurrying back on the bed. I draw my knees up to my chest and hug my shins, already anticipating the worst-case scenario.
If he wants to hurt me, I won’t be giving him a clear shot at me.
The intruder snorts, and I recognize him right away.
Nikolai Volkov.
The desire to look at him longer is greater than the need to be a good captive and avoid his wrath.
He’s dressed in a light gray suit, his white shirt unbuttoned at the collar. Despite the obvious polish he puts into making sure he looks presentable, there’s a look of exhaustion dragging him down. If I didn’t know any better, I’d guess Nikolai spent a good part of the day pacing.
He doesn’t have his men with him, and he didn’t bring me a new set of clothes. I can’t help but feel a sliver of disappointment even though I know better than to expect it. I stay where I am, avoiding his gaze. Even with anger seeping out of him, his confidence is somehow still inviting.
“Where’s Yakov?” I ask, finally getting over my surprise. My gaze goes back to the wall behind me.
A moment passes before he finally answers. “I made sure he won’t touch you again.”
“What do you want from me?” I question, my voice turning bitter. “Why are you keeping me here?”
Nikolai’s gray eyes lock on mine. “Because I won’t be disrespected. No one betrays me without repercussions.”
I hate that his words hurt me.
Tears spring to my eyes.
No matter how I try to hold it in, it isn’t possible. I’d tell him to stop, but I’m at his mercy.
“The time has come,” he continues, “for you to become my wife.”
FIFTEEN
NIKOLAI
Katarina seems so small on the massive bed, folded into herself and withdrawing from me as much as humanly possible.
“Let me go,” she starts pleading. Her bottom lip trembles, and a blonde strand of hair falls down the side of her face. It’s hard to spot the fire in her green eyes.
“No.” I make my answer definitive, leaving no room for a different scenario. “I won’t. We had a deal. Your father had no right to back out, not when I delivered on my part. You’re mine.”
