instant and blinding, pushing me to the very edge of my sanity.
There was something so carnal about his actions, even more so than before. A beast had erupted, driving whatever soulless man he’d been before to the surface. There was no sign of the beloved professor any longer, only a true savage hell bent on claiming what he believed belonged to him.
As if he had any right.
As if I’d never be freed.
The thrusts were long and brutal and just as I knew he was close to coming, I heard the deep rumble of his voice one more time, the words haunting.
“Now, you belong to me.”
Chapter 7
Nikolai
“Do you know what darkness is?” Maxim asked as he led me up a set of stairs.
“Yes, sir. That’s where nightmares are created. It’s also the safest part of the day.”
I could tell my answer had surprised him. “That’s very true, Sacha. The darkest hours of the day allow you to become anything you want to be. If you want to be a knight in shining armor, you can certainly become one. In our line of work, shadows afford you anonymity, a true gift. However, keep in mind that our enemies will also hunt in those same hours.”
“Who are our enemies, Mr. Federov?”
“Papa. You can call me Papa, Sacha, since I’m now your father. To answer your question,” he said before stopping in front of a massive wooden door, “they exist everywhere. You must always be cautious trusting anything or anyone. Only your instinct can provide the answer to whether or not you can place your trust. Always listen to your gut, never your heart. Doing so, that will keep you alive.”
When he opened the door, my eyes opened wide. “What is this place?”
“This is your private bedroom, Sacha. Within these walls, you can always feel safe. But once you venture outside, you must promise me that you’ll always be careful.”
“Of course, Papa.”
He led me inside then took a step away. “And remember, family is most important, blood the only thing that matters. Do you understand, my son?”
I turned to face him, giving him a dutiful nod. “Yes, Papa.”
“Excellent, my little warrior.”
Darkness.
It was something I knew well, both from the reality of actual night to the soul-stealing shadows that had haunted me almost every day since I’d walked away from everything I’d come to love. The man who’d called himself my father had been correct. I’d found safety behind the walls of his massive estate, always remembering what he’d told me. The blackness had also been my friend, keeping me protected during some of the toughest, most dangerous times. Being able to navigate without light meant I’d survived.
Tonight was no different.
However, dawn would quickly approach.
I’d experienced more memories since noticing I was being watched, the times spent with Maxim Federov alone some of my favorites. However, my good fortune hadn’t been without treachery. Maybe I’d allowed myself to forget the various ordeals I’d gone through, the brutal violence and bloodshed that had turned me into a killer. And maybe it was time to remember everything.
That was the only way I’d survive.
If the Petrov Bratva was behind this, they obviously had several soldiers in the country, enough they were staking out several roads. The chances we’d be able to make it to safety were slim, but I had to risk it. However, I had far too many doubts about my brother’s involvements to fully convince myself this was an attempt by another crime family to eliminate their enemies.
Only time would tell.
I’d remained by the window, keeping an eye out for a sign of the soldiers, the weapon in my hand. At least I hadn’t seen any obvious signs. I was furious that I hadn’t thought through the plan well enough. I’d be forced to take an indirect route to Vermont. An almost four-hour trip would now take us almost seven. Hissing, I twisted my hand around the weapon. The location was almost too close for comfort, but at least we’d literally be steps away from the Canadian border. If necessary, I’d use the single contact in Quebec I knew I could trust. That had been enough of an impetus to accept Travis’ offer.
However, I’d need to remain cautious as fuck.
When I heard Chloe murmuring in her sleep, I sighed. What the hell was I doing fucking her? Disciplining was one thing, but I’d allowed her to crawl under my skin enough she could become a weakness. That could be the single reason we’d be compromised. Her