Even though I’m a prisoner, the mansion feels warm-ish. If it weren’t for Viktor’s threatening presence, I’d actually feel comfortable staying here.
The man might be a monster, but he has taste.
I notice a plate of food on the island. There’s a bottle of water as well.
I have zero appetite, but I’m thirsty.
Viktor doesn’t move as I walk to the island, but he murmurs, “Feeling better?”
I open the bottle and drink half of the cool liquid before muttering, “No.” Turning to look at him, I say, “You hurt me.”
His head snaps up, his eyes sweeping over my body before locking onto the red marks on my neck.
I brush my hair aside so he can see all of it and lift my shirt so he’ll also see the abrasions on my stomach.
I’m not going to pretend the marks aren’t there.
He leans forward and sets the tumbler down on the coffee table before getting up. I quickly lower the shirt when he walks toward me.
The man is so intense it feels as if the very air surrounding him tenses and shifts with every step he takes.
He makes me feel smaller than a bug that he could easily squash if he wanted to.
I’m entirely at this monster’s mercy.
With hard tremors raking through my body, it takes more strength than I have to stand still and not cower back when he stops inches from me. His eyes burn on the marks covering my skin, and try as I might, I can’t stop myself from flinching when he lifts his hand and brushes his knuckles over the side of my neck.
“I’m sorry, Little Rose,” he whispers.
Hearing the regret in his voice has my eyes going wide as saucers. An apology was the last thing I expected.
His dark gaze locks on mine. “You’re more fragile than I thought.”
I wish I was stronger.
Viktor lowers his hand, then stares at me until I feel the overwhelming need to squirm.
“Stop testing my patience, and I’ll be more careful with you.”
Is he actually making a deal with me, or is it an order?
He gestures to the plate. “Eat.”
I shake my head. “I’m not hungry.”
“I didn’t ask if you’re hungry. I said eat,” he mutters, the expression on his face darkening even more.
I press back against the counter, my hands finding the granite and clinging to it.
Viktor tilts his head, and everywhere his eyes touch on my face, it feels as if my skin goes up in flames.
“Please, let me go,” I whisper.
I have no idea what I’ll do, but anything has to be better than being this man’s captive.
Slowly, he shakes his head. “The world will trample something as fragile as you. You might not believe it, but this house, staying here with me, is the safest place for you.”
Anger and frustration start to bubble in my chest. Clenching my jaw, I lift my eyes to his. “You belong to the Priesthood who killed my family. You destroyed everything I held dear. This is the last place on Earth I’ll ever be safe.”