The sunlight streaking through the windows means that at some point between endlessly searching the spacious second-story quarters for a weapon or some form of escape, I fell asleep, only to wake on what’s threatened to be my wedding day.
Ignoring the wardrobe of couture clothing in the walk-in closet bigger than my living room, I’m still in the clothes I wore yesterday. A consequence I’m grateful for when there’s a knock at the door.
Frantic, I rush off the bed, grabbing the first thing I can. The fireplace poker is cold but solid in my hands, and easy enough to hoist over my head. As soon as the door opens and Dimitri’s head is in view, I bring it down with all my might.
His reactions are fast—too fast.
In a swift move, he slips out of its path and yanks the poker from my hands, tossing it aside, and it clanks to its landing place across the room. Before I can say or do anything, Dimitri slips his arm around me, pulling me against him. Against his sickening erection.
My arms trapped between us, I struggle, trying to resist his tightening embrace. “I don’t know what deal you made with my father, Dimitri, but I can’t help you.”
“Oh, but you can.”
Despite my efforts, my strength is no match for his. The more I defy Dimitri, wriggling to get away, the more he laughs it off.
“You see, Evelyn, I need Banks Multimedia. I’ve got a lot of friends who are depending on me to deliver them first-rate propaganda on a US broadcaster’s silver platter. FCC rules prevent me from buying or owning more than twenty percent. Pure hatred of foreigners. But once I marry you, and your father works on my citizenship, my status is legitimate. No one would question me being the next CEO of Banks Multimedia. Especially after Alan’s tragic accident.”
Horrified, I finally have enough strength and disgust to force myself free. “My God. The two of you are going to kill Alan?”
“Hmm? Oh no. Whether he dies from his accident is up to you. And Garrett has no idea. That part’s just between us.”
When Dimitri releases me to shush me with his finger, I bolt for the door, and he calls out, “Don’t leave yet.”
As soon as I open it, Alexei’s large frame blocks the opening, completely filling my only exit.
Desperate, I whirl back around. “What do you want?”
“What does any man want of his bride? Unconditional loyalty and obedience.”
“Or?” I say with the last bit of defiance left in me.
The smile Dimitri wields amplifies his eyes that are pitch black. He hands me a folder that I reluctantly accept.
Opening it, expecting some bullshit about stock values and corporate ownership, I’m prepared to sign anything if he lets me go. There’s no legality to contracts signed under duress, and I’ll fight it in the courts later. As long as I can get away today.
But I’m not prepared for the precious things that face me. Flipping through the folder’s contents, I die a little inside, scanning each photo and image with dread.
There’s a shot of Austin and me on his front step the day we met, my blanket wrapped around his body. Then us getting into the vintage car at the airport in Big Sur. Another shows him kissing me good-bye. Yesterday.
Then there’s one of him that looks so different, I have to do a double-take to know it’s him. The buzz cut and uniform he wears match the heavy glare of his expression, and it looks nothing like him. Nothing. But it’s him.
“Leave Austin out of this.” Instinctively, I know my plea is worthless.
Dimitri’s lips curl up. “Don’t worry, Evelyn. I swear on my mother’s eyes, I won’t touch him.” His knuckles graze my cheek, and I yank away. Angry but controlled, he growls, “Keep flipping.”
I do, and it’s the last photograph that knocks every last breath of air from my lungs. The one that says the battle is over. I’ve lost. And Dimitri has won.
It’s Gaby.
Dimitri’s hand slides across her image, and his fingers brush her body as he sucks in a disgusting breath of desire. “She’s lovely. Exotic. I think there’s spirit in her. That one would be fun to break. I could do so much with her. Slowly. And I’m sure she’d fight.”
As his hand brushes my hair, I don’t have the will to resist. I stand there, holding in every bit of my fear and pain, and I let him.
Whispering in my ear, he says, “I love when they fight.”
Still clinging to shreds of disbelief, I choke out, “S-s-she’s only thirteen.”
“Thirteen,” he says, almost singing the word. Gingerly, his fingers lift my chin as his soulless eyes search mine. “You really have no idea who I am, do you? You must have heard the rumors, Evelyn.”
Almost word for word, he recites the list Margot mentioned all those weeks ago, and I realize that even in the heart of Long Multinational headquarters, he’s had eyes on me. Watching me. Everywhere.
“How I made my money? What did Ms. Long say? Theft, bribery. When deals go wrong, people get hurt. Go missing. Drug trafficking. Slave trafficking.” He says the last words with sadistic glee. “But your friend forgot my favorite. Torture. You said they were rumors.”
He grabs my jaw, hard, and whispers to my lips. “No, Evelyn. They’re not rumors. They’re my reputation. One I built, body by body.”
Full force, he shoves my face away, causing me to topple back and fall to the floor.
Alexei looks as though he’s about to help me up, but a stern glance from Dimitri keeps him in place. Pursing his lips, Dimitri reconsiders with a nod, and Alexei lifts me up and places me in a chair.
From his pocket, Dimitri produces the ring, holding it in front of my face. “Put it on, Evelyn. Don’t make me take my frustrations out on the lovely body of that sweet thirteen-year-old.”
Sobbing and trembling, I do as he says. The ring is cold on my finger, and seems even heavier than before, weighing down all of me until I’m as lifeless as a doll in the chair.
In a step, Dimitri towers over me, grabbing my hair tight in his fist. When he leans over and his teeth tear into the skin between my neck and shoulder, I cry out, but he doesn’t release me. My pulse pumps hard with the burn, and I can feel the warmth of my own blood leaking at the throbbing wound. When he licks it, the sting forces another cry from my lips.
Demanding, he says, “Call him, Evelyn.” The instant I move my head in a defiant shake, he grips my hair harder, forcing several tears free. “Have him come here. You’re going to tell him to his face that the two of you are done and you’re back with me. And if you’re not convincing, I’m going to take my sweet time fucking you right in front of him to drive the point home.”
Snarling, he says, “Call him now.”
How Alexei got my phone, I don’t know, but he has it. He swipes the screen, then holds the phone to my face as it rings.
When Austin answers, I don’t have time to say much. Steadying my voice is impossible, so I go slowly. Calmly. Until each word comes out. “Aus-s-stin. Come over. Right now.”
“Where are you?”
The concern in his voice makes me tremble. Makes me wish I could warn him. Tell him something. Anything. That’s just for us.
“I’m fine,” I say, slamming my eyes shut. “C-c-come to Dimitri’s.”
Before I can say more, Alexei’s monstrously big finger hits the button to kill the call. Like he knows what I was about to do. To say.
I love you.
My gaze darts to Dimitri, and though every part of my expression should be filled with venom and hate, it probably comes across a thousand times more pathetic, insignificant, and weak.
“Please don’t hurt him,” I say, unashamed to beg.
Dimitri finally releases me. A fire rises behind his eyes, as if he holds out hope for the possibility. “That’s entirely up to you,” he says before he and Alexei stroll casually from the room.