a p

and unreadable. I felt like prey

uld make me feel less vulnerable. But Viktor's dark eyes

time witnessing someone being kill

again, my voice cracking, betray

pressed myself harder against the

nk straight. His gaze remained on me, intense and unyieldi

ing around," he said sof

't just keep me locked up," I managed, each word shaking with defian

, but something in his eyes flic

. "You're here because I bought you,

fear. "You had no right," I spat back, hating ho

looked almost human. "Rights?" he said, with a bitter

too close. His presence felt as immovable as a wall. My mind raced

t," I whispered, the words trembling o

smirk, though there was no humor i

fingers brushed along my cheek, tracin

veins, betraying every warn

ya," he murmured. "They have a

t should have, and then he stepped back, and a

"You shouldn't be wandering about in places you're not suppo

y pounding heart and the realization that I m

g way. My skin still tingled from where his fi

wanted to control me-to break me. But

ve the power to hold me here, but I'd find a way to resist. No o

behind me, I couldn't beli

afia running things in Moscow, but I'

ng businesses and there was

li

ght of what was going on with her? Who

l, not half as strong as I was. My eyes stu

the women ended up. Viktor's confidence tol

my chest. She'd be worried sick. I don't

adn't seen each other, our relationship was strong and when I

. I was 29 years old, so mom didn't need to worry a

t home frequently and we didn't see eye

t the hell out of here. I need

t h

was so tired, both in my body and my mind. All I wa

a hot bath might ease some of the tension. But just as I turned toward

nd time

trying to cover myself. Viktor stood in the doorway, his d

owing look that made my skin crawl. He

ling over. "Why do you think you can just barge in here?"

His eyes were fixed on mine, unflinching. "Locked?" he said low and ta

an invisible lock he controlled to grant

ustration and fear, but I f

ound firm, though my voice wav

sion darkened. He crossed the room in two swift steps,

torn from my hands, leav

tensing as I fought to keep the tears from we

old and strict as it roamed over me. "I'll se

hing steady. Anger flared up, but I felt trapped-helpless. I could stil

t," I whispered, trying

t his eyes were dark and challenging. "You'd bet

ding there, cold and vulnerable, my chest

felt the tears slip down my cheeks de

ak, for letting him see me like this. But one

aced, a million questions pounding i

when he said I ha

keeping me close, maki