Hostile Ground (The Arsenal #7) - Cara Carnes Page 0,1

birth. Now that she’d not here to coddle you, you’ll become what you must. My son. My heir. My legacy.”

Never. Kristof clenched his fists and fed the anger filling him. Papa was right. He was too weak to kill Papa for what he’d done, but he’d get stronger than Papa.

He’d pay for killing Mama.

“Ivan, bring the car around. It’s time to take Kristof to his new home.”

“And them?” Ivan asked as he pointed to Mama and Uncle Kir.

“Bury them in the back yard with the dogs,” Papa said. He grabbed Kristof’s throat. “Your new life begins tonight, Kristof. Don’t disappoint me or you’ll be buried beside her. I’d rather have no heir than a weak bitch like you.”

Pain spread through Addison Rugers’ body as she teetered on her right foot with her arms outstretched. The uneven bark from the post dug into her bare foot, but she ignored the discomfort because her time was near an end. Water dripped from the spigot in the corner. Her throat ached, but she didn’t dare leave her position even though no one watched. If she stopped now, she’d have to start again.

Anger kept her focused as the door behind her squeaked open. Had more time passed than she realized? Was her latest round of punishment finished?

“Get in and keep quiet,” Misha growled in Russian as she shoved a thin boy into Addy’s view.

The boy wore a white uniform denoting his new entry into the training camp. “What is this place?”

“The punishment cabin. You’ll remain here for three days so you’ll know what will happen when you disobey us.” Misha’s boots dragged in the dirt as she turned. “This is Addy. She spends more time here than anywhere.”

Addy glared at the woman, then returned her gaze to the small hole on the wall across from her. It was one of forty-one on that wall.

“Have you made a decision, Addy?” Misha asked.

She didn’t answer. The woman already knew her answer was no.

“Very well.” Misha walked over to the small table nearby.

Addy’s pulse quickened and her empty stomach knotted. Which implement would she choose? Addy’s gaze cut to the boy, who looked older than her ten years. He was tall but skinny with dark blond hair and wide, gray eyes.

“Fall and your time begins again,” Misha said as she lifted a leather strap so Addy could see. “Decisions have consequences, Kristof. Today you will learn from her poor choices.”

Addy’s pulse quickened as Misha disappeared behind her. Rather than close her eyes, she sought the boy’s gray gaze. His face reflected worry and fear. She’d learned to read emotions quickly the past three years.

Pain exploded on the exposed bottom of her left foot. She bit her lip to stifle the scream as she tottered left, then right, then forward until she leveled out.

Stay on the post. Stay on the post. Stay on the post.

The strikes echoed in the room. Addy counted each one silently but gasped when Misha landed one to her bruised butt. She remained atop the post with each blow despite the pain.

Then Misha struck the backs of her knees. Addy crumbled forward, catching herself with the palms of her hands. Pain exploded up her sore arms. Her eyes burned, but she wouldn’t cry. Not in front of Misha.

Intense gray eyes met hers when she looked up. The boy held out a hand.

“Don’t help her,” Misha ordered. “Her punishment ends when she does as she was ordered. You have an hour to rest, then we begin again, Addy. Use your time wisely. I expect to find that rabbit dead at the door when I return.”

The woman paused at the door and took a bag from the guard. It landed with a thud near the boy. “This is your dinner. I’ll go through the camp’s rules when I return.”

Addy remained on all fours as the door slammed shut and the lock fell into place. She was gone. Tears trekked down her face. She would’ve made it if Misha hadn’t brought the boy in. She’d been so close.

Next time.

Addy looked over at the cage. Bunny hadn’t eaten or drunk since yesterday. Neither had she. She crawled over to the water spigot in the corner and cupped her hands beneath the dripping spout. She lapped greedily.

“Wait!” the boy shouted. Russian.

She’d learned Russian three years ago to survive. She was the only one in the camp forbidden from speaking English, her native tongue.

Addy glared his direction when he knelt beside her and dumped the bag’s contents on the ground