was nice of him to give this to me. A nice thing to do for a stranger. Maybe I’m naïve. I don’t really get to talk to many men. Whatever his motive, it was nice.
When he looked at Dmitri standing at the door, he seemed like the kind of man who wouldn’t care who he was. He’d still be able to defy him in a heartbeat.
I wonder if he would still think my situation wasn’t that bad if he’d heard what Dmitri said to me when I walked up to him. He threatened to tear the skin off me if he had to punish me.
The door opens and damn it to hell, he comes in. Think of the devil and he appears. Dmitri walks in and I get off the bed. I don’t want to give him any ideas.
The asshole smiles at me and scans the bed. That desire that disgusts me comes into his eyes and all I want to do is run away. Run far away and never come back. Never look back.
“You didn’t have to get up,” he says coming closer.
“Do you want something?”
“Yes.”
“What? What do you want?”
“Many things my sweet Isabella. I’ve been thinking a lot about that mouth of yours on my cock.” He laughs and I pray he doesn’t mean to start his violation of me tonight.
I would hate if he made me do something like that. And what could I do about it? Not a damn thing.
“Where is Sacha?” I ask trying to evade the vile direction this conversation just took.
“Nearly here. You know when I’m in charge he’s the first thing I’ll change. No more Sacha to protect the poor princess. You’ll have to do everything I say.”
“Good for you. You’ll have all the power.”
“That mouth of yours. I fucking love it. I’m glad you know your place.”
“Did you mean what you said about my work at the clinic?” Once again, I’m pushing on dangerous paths. But I want to hear it. I want to be clear about what’s happening next. Was he serious or was he just being a prick?
“I think you know by now that I never, ever say anything I don’t mean. You’ll do away with all that shit when we get married.”
What an asshole.
“Why? My father didn’t have a problem with it. Why should you?” I’m close to tears again.
“Isabella, your father is your father. You are for fucking and will serve your purpose in my bed and in my home.”
“How can you talk to me like that?”
“My dear girl you haven’t seen anything yet. The minute we say I do we’ll be on the next plane to Russia.”
“Russia?” My mouth falls open. “We’re going to Russia?” I have no desire to live there ever again. I have too many memories of my mother there that end with her death.
“We are.”
“You asshole,” I rasp. God, I must have some death wish.
He does exactly what I expect him to and reaches for me.
He shoves me hard against the wall and clutches his thick fingers around my throat.
I scream and God must hear me because the door flies open, and Sacha bounds through it.
“What the hell’s going on in here?” Sacha demands.
Dmitri releases me and growls. “You fucking dog, knock next time. Do not barge in when you obviously know I’m in here.”
“Dmitri, you aren’t in charge of me yet and she doesn’t belong to you, yet.” Sacha points out. It’s the first time that he’s taken such a stand.
It’s surprises me.
Dmitri looks him over and gives him a crude smile. “I’d be careful if I were you Sacha. Don’t want to piss me off and screw yourself over. I’m not a man to fuck with.”
“Nor I. You know we aren’t supposed to issue any punishment unless Mortimer sanctions it, but I just walked in and saw you with your hands around her throat. I wonder what the boss would say if he knew that.” He raises his brows.
Dmitri backs down at the threat, but still maintains that air of arrogance.
“Nicely played. Go on, do your work. Watch and be merry. I’ll be very happy to deal with you when the time comes.” Dmitri walks out, knocking his shoulder against Sacha’s as he passes.
I’m breathing so hard I can barely focus. I’m shaking again and I’m a mess inside and out.
I feel like Dmitri’s hand is still clutching at my throat. It feels like he’s squeezing my hopes and dreams from me. Bleeding my mind of the last shred of