There’s a moment’s silence following my rant, and even though I’m fearing for my life, I can’t keep the other emotions under control. Everything from apprehension to anger to attraction for the damn man keeps whirling in my chest.
Demitri takes a deep breath, then he demands, “Look at me.”
A frown forms on my forehead, and with an annoyed huff, I meet his eyes.
He leans forward, resting his forearms on his thighs, and it sends another wave of awareness through me because he looks sinfully hot right now.
“Have I done anything to intentionally hurt you?”
A glare forms on my face. “You choked me, and you tied me up and left me on that damn bed.”
“I’ve already explained why that happened,” he snaps at me, his features tightening. The dark look on his face makes my body tense up, and I’m ready to make a run for it the second he moves.
“We’ve been stuck here a week, and I haven’t slapped you around. I haven’t kept you tied to that bed, and trust me, there were a couple of times I wanted nothing more. You get to move around freely. Let’s not forget all of this is to keep you alive. In my opinion, that’s not the definition of captivity.”
Our eyes are locked, and with every passing second, the atmosphere grows tenser between us.
“Says the kidnapper.”
“Jet Tao,” Demitri bites the words out.
I shake my head with a shrug of my shoulder. “Is that supposed to mean something to me?”
“It’s the name of your assassin. Jet Tao.”
Goosebumps spread over my skin, and my lips part as the news sinks in.
Ignoring my reaction, Demitri continues, “He’s not the best, but he’s good. The contract on your life is for fifteen million dollars.”
Oh. My. God.
A tremble begins to spread through my body, and my mouth grows dry.
I have no reason to believe a word Demitri says, but for some reason, I know he’s telling me the truth.
There’s really a hit on my life. Someone wants me dead.
For the first time, it sinks in, and the realization makes my entire world wobble off balance.
My eyes are glued to Demitri’s, and my voice is hoarse with fear as I ask, “What stops you from killing me and taking the millions for yourself?”
Time stretches between us, and it only makes my body tremble harder.
“Honor,” Demitri finally answers. “The Vetrovs live by a code of honor. We don’t hurt the innocent.”
I want to believe him, but how can I?
Since Demitri took me, I’ve been one hundred percent certain he’s the enemy.
But… what if I’m wrong?
What if he really saved me?
What if Demitri’s all that stands between me and the man who wants to kill me?
Demitri watches my reaction closely, then he says, “I’m not your enemy.”
Having no idea who I can trust, helplessness washes over me again. With shaky legs, I get up from the couch and walk to the stairs.
I need time to process everything. I need to figure out what’s the truth and what’s a lie.
I go to my room and, crawling into bed, I pull the covers over my head.
I’ve never been this confused before. There are too many emotions, unanswered questions, and doubts, and it all leaves me feeling lost and impossibly alone.
Chapter 11
DEMITRI
I’ve felt more regret and compassion during the past week than in my entire life combined.
All because of Ariana Robinson.
Staring at the monitor that shows her room, I watch as she sleeps.
If I’m honest with myself, I’ll admit the woman’s gotten under my skin. Everything about her makes me feel something. Attraction. Compassion… Protectiveness.
Protectiveness.
That’s something I’ve never felt toward a woman before.
My eyes drift over Ariana’s sleeping form as my thoughts turn to this evening's conversation. She didn’t take the news of Tao coming after her well. Then again, I have to remind myself she’s not from my world.
It’s going to destroy her when she finds out her own brother ordered the hit.
The thought has my hands fisting, and it only increases the protectiveness I feel toward her.
Ariana makes a restless sound and kicks the covers off her. Her breathing speeds up, and then she begins to toss and turn.
She’s probably having a nightmare.
About me killing her.
Getting up from the chair, I leave the security room and head to Ariana’s bedroom.
Just as I open the door, she mumbles fearfully, “No.No.No!”
I walk to the side of the bed, and leaning over Ariana, I shake her shoulder. “Ariana. Wake up.”
One of her hands flies out, connecting with my chest. I take in the terror etched into her face while strands of her hair stick to her clammy skin.
“Ariana, wake up,” I try again, shaking her a little harder.
A breath explodes over her lips as she shoots up, and I move back just in time, so she doesn’t slam into me. Her eyes open wide, and they only focus on me for a second before she scrambles away from me.