“Very well then. We’ll meet in a few weeks as per usual. Goodbye.” The screen cuts and the image of my father disappears along with it.
My hands are fisted at my sides and hate fills my heart. I look back to Dmitri, wishing more than ever I could escape.
I open my mouth to say something, but he pounces on me, hands at my throat once again. This time he squeezes so hard I think he might kill me. I can’t even scream out for help.
“Let’s get this straight you little bitch. I own you now,” he taunts. “You will be grateful I want you even after you whored yourself out to Eric. You’re lucky your father didn’t kill you, too, for losing your virginity to one of his guards.”
I’m losing air. The room is going dark and spots speckle my vision. His hands are too tight. The door opens and I’m thankful to see Sacha.
“Let her go,” Sacha demands, and Dmitri releases me.
I cough and bring my hand to my throat. It burns and I feel so lightheaded I just might faint.
With a cruel laugh Dmitri looks at Sacha and shakes his head.
“Get her in the car,” he orders and walks out.
Sacha takes me and I grip on to his hands, allowing the tears to fall.
“You’re going to be okay,” he assures me.
All I can do is look at him. I don’t know how he can say that to me. As I look at him, I realize he must have known this would happen too, but there’s only so much he can do.
He ushers me back to the car.
Dmitri is already sitting in the back waiting for me.
While Sacha starts up the car, I turn away from Dmitri only to be met with the chilling sensation I’ve been experiencing for the last few days that someone is watching me.
I feel it again … so strong I can almost touch it.
I’m always paranoid. Always, but this is different.
As I glance out the window, I see a car off in the distance when we take the corner. We’re far away and moving further, but I’m sure I’ve seen that car before.
At work? Near work? Near home? I’m not sure. I just know I’ve seen it.
My tears blur my vision, and it’s too far to see who’s inside the car, but I can make out a vague figure and I’m sure they’re watching me.
In fact, I know it.
Anyone who’s watching me would only be doing so if they knew me. And if they know me then they’ll only know me because of my father.
There are so many monsters. Too many and in every corner.
Which one is it this time?
Who is watching me?
Who would be foolish enough or, brave enough, to go against Mortimer Viggo?
Maybe it’s the devil himself.
Chapter Three
Tristan
It’s her…
It’s definitely her.
The instant I saw Dmitri Oleksiak I knew Isabella Baker most assuredly had to be Isabella Viggo. The presence of that man was confirmation enough. He’s a senior member of the Circle of Shadows and would only be present out here if he were guarding something special, or someone. And he wouldn’t be guarding a mere person who was just a point of contact. Seeing any senior member of the Shadows is the same as seeing Mortimer himself. They are the strongest and what you’d expect to find guarding a person like the boss’ daughter.
I’ll take that as evidence enough that it’s her.
I watch her car disappear around the corner, and I almost feel sorry it’s her.
She seems to be like any other young woman who wants to pursue her career. A woman who wants to live her life.
I expected a princess. A privileged, silver spooned beauty like all the other rich girls who live off daddy’s dirty money. I was quickly proven wrong as I watched her at work in the clinic. I could tell she cared about her work, and unlike her father, she cares about people.
When I saw how Dmitri handled her earlier, I got the true picture of what her life must be like. What I saw was someone being ruled with an iron fist. Held under the thumb of a dictator who wants to control every aspect of their life. That was as clear to me as the sensation of her watching me.
As her car drove away, I could feel that strong magnetic pull you get when you can sense you’re being watched.