As Viktor keeps staring at me, the expression on his face grows darker.
When it feels like my heart might burst from my chest, I whimper, “Please let me go.”
To my surprise, he chuckles, a flicker of amusement easing the brutal tension in his overly attractive features. “Where would you go, Little Rose? You have nothing.”
“M-my family is…” Intense pain squeezes my heart. “…was wealthy.”
“The key word beingwas. Everything your grandfather had belongs to Nikolas Stathoulis.” He takes a prowling step closer making my hands fist at my sides. “Everything but you.”
He keeps moving closer until I’m forced to tilt my head back to keep eye contact with him. It only lasts a couple of seconds before I lower my gaze to his chest.
My entire life has been ripped from beneath my feet.
All the dreams I had of traveling the world will never come true.
Unbearable hopelessness darkens everything inside me, causing despair to soak deep into my bones.
“Except for you.” Viktor’s words have my eyes flying to his. “I did you a favor by taking you, Little Rose. Nikolas would’ve killed you.”
I swallow hard, forcing my chin to lift higher. “Don’t expect me to thank you.”
He chuckles again, the smirk doing nothing to make him look any less ruthless.
A shuffling noise sounds up from the hallway drawing Viktor’s attention away from me.
I glance at the open window as Viktor turns his back to me, and when another man appears in the doorway, I don’t hesitate and run.
My hands grip the windowsill, and I throw my body out of the room. Just as I let go, fingers close around my right wrist. I’m yanked back into the room with so much force, the windowsill scrapes against my stomach and legs.
I’m thrown onto the floor and my body skids from the motion. Before I can push myself up, Viktor grabs hold of my shoulders, and I’m forced onto my back.
Within a second, I find myself in a familiar position with Viktor’s body braced over mine and his fingers around my throat. Luckily there’s no gun pressed to my head this time.
Viktor's breathing is steady, where I’m breathless from the failed attempt to escape. His eyes burn on mine as he leans closer.
Panic spins in my stomach and my hands grip his wrist when he’s way too close for comfort.
The words rumble from him like thunderclouds on a stormy night. “Do you want to die, Little Rose?”
Yes.
No.
I don’t want any of this.
I want my family and life back.
Viktor brings his left hand to my face and brushes a knuckle over my cheek. “Try something like that again, and I’ll cuff you to the fucking bed.”
Feeling lost and frustrated, I turn my head away and stare at the legs of the chair.
Viktor yanks me to my feet, then mutters, “Unpack and make yourself at home. Your stay here can be pleasant or hell. The choice is yours.”
Viktor looks at the other man. “That’s all for now, Sacha. Go get some rest for your flight back to Russia.”
When I don’t move, Viktor’s eyes snap to me. “I said unpack!”
I dart to the foot of the bed where the bags were left, and doing my best to suppress a sob, I open the luggage. I’m surprised to see my belongings and clothes.