“There is no fucking plan other than getting her back. I’ll fucking blow a hole in his house if I need to!”
“Fuck,” Adrian says again, running after me as I bolt from the room.
As I step into the living room, the twins come rushing out of the elevator. I drop to my knees and grab them both in my arms. “My monsters, my sweet little munchkins, I am so so so happy to see you!”
“Daddy! We were with Raya all the time. Didn’t you know?” Arron asks.
I laugh with an aching heart. “Did Raya take care of you?” I ask.
“Oh yes, she played games with us. She also reads stories, but not as well as you.”
I stand, grabbing Raya into my arms. She whispers against my ear, “They didn’t realize we were in danger. I made it seem like a sleepover as best I could, but they were scared.”
“And you?” I ask, pulling back to look at her.
She smiles. “You know me. I’m a Volkov. We’re strong,” she grins. Then she turns to the twins. “I need a giant bubble bath. I think you guys also need one!”
“Yes! With more bubbles!” Solenne shouts.
Raya turns to look at me again.
“Go get her,” she whispers.
Chapter24 - Selene
The door bursts open just as I realize my earpiece has gone dead. He must have blocked the signal somehow.
“Fuckingdaughter,”he snarls as he walks into the office.
My father grabs the back of my chair and tugs it, toppling it over. I fall backward, screaming in fright as my legs lift into the air. My head connects with the marble floor, and stars swarm before my eyes.
I fight it, but there is nothing I can do as consciousness slips away, and I think to myself,at least they know I love them.
The blackness comes and goes as pain throbs in the back of my skull. I’m sitting up again. Slowly, the world comes back into focus, and the pain in my head increases.
I’m still in my father’s office. But this time I am tied to the chair.
I groan, wishing I could reach up and touch the back of my head. I am sure I would feel blood there.
“Welcome back,Selene,” my father snarls. “Bogdan is on the way. We have some questions for you.” He is furious. In all my years of staring up at him, I have never seen him this angry. This time, I pushed him too far. But I had to. It was the only way. And at least it was worth it because I know my children are safe with their father.
It was worth it
My father has a steel trolley that he’s pulling closer to where I’m sitting. It makes a strange rattle sound as he moves it, and I strain to see what it is.
When my eyes catch a glimpse of the polished tools neatly laid out over the surface, I feel bile in the back of my throat, and I have to fight the urge to vomit.
Scalpels, blades of all kinds. Long, spiked needles on wooden handles. A stainless-steel hammer. A drill. A saw. Clamps.
I swallow hard, realizing what his plan is.
“You can do whatever you want to me, Father. My children are safe. There is nothing more you can hurt me with,” I say, my voice steadier than I expect it to be.
In response, he slaps me. A sharp backhand that stings across my cheek and leaves heat pooling on my skin.
“You’re wrong about that,Selene. And you no longer get the honor of calling mefather.You are no daughter of mine. You are nothing to me. Nothing but a tool to extract information from,” he snarls.
“That’s all I ever was to you!” I blurt out angrily. “A tool! So, I dare you to tell me what’s changed!”
