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I was the unwilling collateral until I became willing.
Years ago, I promised myself that I wouldn’t get weak. Ever. No matter what Valentin did to me, I would stand up on my two feet and repeat the day again.
But the moment my gaze met Viktor’s, everything changed. Whatever resolve I had and the wall I had built around me, it came crumbling down until nothing was left but dust and the disaster in its wake.
One look was enough to make my heart beat just a little faster.
Viktor has weaved his way into my unwelcome heart, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t remove him.
He was just as deadly as the Devil, if not worse.
From the corner of my eyes, I saw movement in my room. I startled into a sitting position while holding a comforter to my heaving chest. In my fright, I saw a woman standing by my bed, holding a tray in her hand.
My eyes scanned the room, searching for Igor. He was the one who always brought me my food. Nobody else was allowed in the room, except on Valentin’s command.
An unsettling feeling made its way in my heart, and my breathing became labored. A woman in my room, holding my food—this wasn’t a usual occurrence.
What’s happening? my mind screamed.
I panicked as my gaze met the woman’s surprisingly kind eyes. She looked in her mid 40s, her black hair pinned over her head in a bun. Her chocolate skin appeared smooth. When she smiled, it made her look younger.
She walked closer and placed the tray on my night stand. I watched her lips, waiting for her to speak.
“Kons—” she started but then paused. My eyebrows furrowed as I waited again.
“I mean Mr. Viktor told me to bring your breakfast,” she finally said. “My name is Sarah. From now on, I will be the one serving you. He said Igor is currently…unavailable.”
That made no sense. Who was Viktor to command Igor? Only Valentin commanded his men.
Worry seeped into my pores. Was Igor okay? Was Viktor okay?
Viktor hadn’t come to visit me last night. In my mind, I had created a fantasy where he would visit me and we would talk for hours. Just us. Just our moment. Our secret.
But now, I was left reeling at the sudden change in my everyday routine. What a laughable thought. I sounded almost like a dog—actually, dogs were treated better.
I stared at the tray and then nodded silently; after all, she would only get my silence.
Her feet shuffled near my bed as her weight moved from one leg to the other. I waited, and she waited too, or maybe she was speaking?
But I didn’t lift my head to find out. After a few seconds, she moved away from the bed, and I tracked her feet as she walked out of my room. The door closed behind her, and I sagged against my pillows.
The food smelled good, teasing me to try it, but I couldn’t get this unsettling feeling off my chest. My eyes closed, and I let my mind wander, overthinking and causing myself more stress. Even though I was shackled into this room, it had been both my hell and sanctuary. During the days Valentin didn’t visit me, I found it peaceful here. I had learned to accept my fate.
But Viktor’s appearance had changed everything. My normal routine. My thoughts. I was no longer filled with emptiness. It was strange and I still didn’t know how to feel about it—this—him. Us.
My thoughts scrambled and then came to a screeching halt.
I shivered and then stilled. A gaze fell on my skin, caressing me slowly, silently. I could feel it. Someone was in my room.
I was almost scared to open my eyes, to face this intruder. Was it Valentin?
I forced myself not to move, but the seconds dragged, and I felt…warmth. The air felt more heavy, intense.
Whenever Valentin was in my room, I knew the feeling—the sterile coldness that came with him. But this time, it was different.
The person who was watching me…it wasn’t Valentin.
My eyes snapped open, and I met his gaze. Viktor’s.
He sat in the couch, in the corner of my room, not too far from my bed. He leaned back comfortably, his left ankle crossed on top of his right knee. Viktor had ditched his black suit jacket. The sleeves of his white shirt were rolled up to his elbows. His tattoos—so very beautiful—adorned and curled around his arms. They were mesmerizing.
My gaze followed every inch of him. He was a big man, tall and muscular. Not overly, but he made my couch look dainty. The room was huge, yet his presence crowded me.
And the way Viktor was staring at me right now, he made me feel small.
When he finally caught my eyes again, he raised a questioning eyebrow. I sat forward in my bed, my legs hanging off at the edge.
