me, each strike hurting more than the next. I try to hold the pain in, biting the inside of my cheek until I taste blood. Then, as if someone heard my silent prayer, Yulie stops.
“What are you doing here?” Yulie growls, and that’s when I realize that someone else has entered the room. I twist just enough so I can look over my shoulder. Ivan is standing right behind Yulie, and he is holding the end of the belt in his hand.
I look up to meet his eyes but what I find looking back at me is not Ivan… it’s a wild animal about to go in for the kill.
10
Ivan
Every fiber of my body vibrates in anger. Fury like I’ve never felt before consumes me as I look at Violet’s body huddled on the mattress. Ugly welts mar her beautiful skin. I promised her I wouldn't let anyone hurt her and I failed. I failed her just like I failed my sister.
I feel something inside me snap. All thoughts but one leave my mind. One single thought that digs its claws deep into my skin.
Kill.
I pull the belt from Yulie’s hand with one quick pull.
“What the fuck, Iv—” Before he has time to turn and face me, or even finish saying anything, I have it slung around his neck. His hands grip onto the belt, trying to loosen it, but I already have it tightened. Lifting my foot, I kick him in the lower back, and he falls to the floor with a grunt.
Once I have him where I want him, I move on top of him. Digging my knee between his shoulder blades, I grip the belt tighter, watching as the leather digs into his flesh. I lean into him so I can watch his ugly face start to turn blue. He’s gasping for air and trying to say something, but I don’t give a fuck about his words or excuses. In my eyes, he's already dead.
I’ve killed before, many times, but nothing ever felt this fucking satisfying. I smile, watching as his eyes bulge out of his head. I grip onto the belt, tightening it, enjoying every second of his feeble attempt to fight for his life. Power surges through my veins, a darkness filling my insides like a venomous bite.
His movements underneath me slow until they stop altogether. With one last pull, I release him, letting his face fall to the cold concrete. I exhale, taking a staggering step backward. I feel her beautiful blue eyes on me and when I turn to look at her, they're full of fright and terror. I'm afraid that I've put those emotions there.
“Kitten…” I call out to her like I'm trying to corral a scared animal.
She huddles deeper inside herself, and I feel my heart shatter. This is my fault. Had I come sooner, maybe he wouldn't have had the chance to hurt her so badly. I stare at her shaking body for a long moment. I've killed for her now… I've betrayed all I've ever known for her. I knew it before, but now I know without a doubt that I will not send her to the auction. She’s mine. Mine to protect, mine to keep. I look over at Yulie’s dead body... Once it’s discovered that I killed him, I'm as good as dead.
I need a plan, and I need one fast if I want any chance of us coming out of this alive. I glance back at the body, then scan the room, trying to figure out what to do with this scumbag. A million scenarios rattle through my mind. Oh, how I would love to burn his fucking body or hang him from the ceiling. But none of those things will work. I continue to let my mind work until I think of something that’s good and wouldn't have me leaving Violet in here the rest of the day. The thought alone is almost unbearable.
I look at her, as she is staring at dead Yulie. I lower myself next to her on the mattress, holding up my hands to show her that I won’t hurt her. She doesn't move at all for a second but then her eyes gaze up to mine and the next moment, she is in my arms.
Her small hands grab onto my shirt and pull me as close as she can get me. She buries her face into my chest and starts crying. Her whole body is shaking, and I want nothing