I have no mercy, I swing again, breaking his other kneecap. His cries are loud and pained, and I enjoy every moment of it.
I point the bat right in his face, fire burning through my eyes. “Where is she?”
He squirms on the floor in pain, holding his hands over his head. “Please. Please have mercy.”
“WHERE IS SHE?” I roar and he flinches.
“She was his first,” he wails, still being a fucking weasel. “A deal is a deal.”
Tommy lands a punch right into the old man’s face. “I’m going to rip your fucking head off.”
“Please! He said she chose him. It’s where she wants to be.”
Tommy goes to strike again, but I stop him. He’s old and frail and I need more information.
“You’re going to get me the route of that ship, and the plans.”
“It’s too late. The ship docks in Moscow and you won’t be able to leave there alive.”
I pick him up by his shirt and look at the disgusting excuse for a father in the eye. “I’m not going to kill you. I’m going to let all the vultures know you’re already a dead man, and you’re going to live your life on your knees as they eat you alive.”
I throw him back on the floor, there’s nothing to help him stand. His legs wobble like jelly and he cries like a child. The goon Dante has is his right hand, he’s all we need.
“Bring him.” I nod to him and turn my back on my future father-in-law lying on the floor, weeping in pain.
The restraint I had in leaving the piece of shit alive is all used up. As soon as Sergei is in my grasp, I will unleash hell.
35
Lilly
Theswayoftheboat rocked me from side to side. It took all day to finally feel better from the movement, but the nausea is still present. Because it’s not from the sea sickness, it’s me coming to terms with another new reality.
I’ve lost track of the hours in this room. All I know is the longer I’m away the less likely I am to be found. Like every horror movie or crime show, the first twenty-four hours are crucial.
But as soon as we undocked from the port, it became irrelevant for me. When I first realised he was never going to let me leave and how insane he was, my need for survival kicked in. I did everything in my power to figure out his game, to play along, to find a way out, but only because I had confidence in myself, and was motivated.
There’s none of that now.
I’m trying to find something that will kick-start my fight. But I’m literally on a ship to another country, one there is no chance of me getting out on my own. And I’m already taking his orders, sitting in this silk backless dress, even though it’s ridiculous for where we are.
Pick my battles.
That was my motto. Wear a stupid dress for less of a chance of conflict, sure, it made sense. But now, after walking away from Ren, from a life being accepted as me, walking away from happy, putting on this damn dress drives me insane.
But of course, I do it, because he isn’t Ren. Not even my father, who might slap me now and then. Sergei Nikolov is a whole other level of crazy.
The sound of the lock makes me jump. The door opens and a man I don’t recognise waits with his eyes cast down for me to follow him.
Shit.
It’s time.
With my heart racing and my hands shaking like a leaf, I stand from the bed and follow the huge man out. As I walk down the long hall, I feel exposed. The thin fabric of my dress clings to my body and outlines every inch of me, making it obvious I’m not wearing a bra. The cold steel that surrounds us doesn’t help goosebumps forming over my arms and legs.
You would think I have settled on a game plan, but honestly, after the first hour of crying and the sea sickness that followed, all I want tonight is to escape pain. Highly unlikely, considering there’s no way I can play along with everything like I used to. Plus, there is no doubt he’s ready to punish me for running and not to mention me being with Ren.
The man leads me into a wooden dining room cabin at the end of the hall. It’s not as industrial as I thought it would be, but still doesn’t warrant a couture dress like this.