“Are you going to interrogate me for all the juicy information you need? Are you one ofthosecriminal masterminds who shackle someone you believe betrayed your master to a chair or perhaps a cold metal table? Are you planning on torturing me if I don’t provide you with all the gory details about my life prior to escaping the invisible shackles?”
The only sound was his deep sigh. So in my frustration that had been building for years, not hours or days, I continued blasting him with the level of hatred that shouldn’t be let loose on anyone.
“I can only imagine the horrible things you’ve done to innocent people in your quest for information. Well, guess what? I’ll save you the trouble by telling you that my parents don’t give a shit about me. Okay? They wrote me off years ago so there is nothing for you to gain.” I folded my arms, holding them tightly against my chest from the icy chill coursing through me.
And still, he remained silent. Was he mocking me? Was he mulling over terrible things he’d do?
“You’re just going to spring it on me. Whatever horror you’re used to doling out. Honestly? That’s fine. I’m tired. Tired of fighting with my family. Tired of fighting for freedom.” A laugh bubbled to the surface with such ferocity I was shocked. Even snorting from how hard I was laughing.
The brooding Russian wasn’t amused.
Which made me laugh even harder. When I finally managed to breathe, I lost every scrap of my sense of humor. “So tell me, Kirill. What are your plans? What now? Just tell me because Idon’t know how much fight I have left in me. I really don’t. My father helped see to that.”
There was no sound, no movement for a full ten seconds which I counted in my mind as I would with the second hand of an old grandfather clock.
All he needed was a single step in my direction, crowding my space for me to feel lightheaded. But when he placed his hand on my shoulder, his thumb running aimlessly across the material of my shirt, the move was so unexpected I couldn’t breathe.
When he spoke, I became further embroiled in an embattled spell.
“There is no excuse for a father to hurt his child under any circumstances in the manner in which he chose. None. That makes him less of a man and more of a monster. And yes, Vivian, I am cut from the same cloth, a man with no conscience, but I will tell you this. No, I will promise you that no one will hurt you as long as you’re with me. No one. Including myself. As far as the answer to your question of what now. Now, we find something to eat because I am starving.”
CHAPTER 14
Kirill
Unexpected.
A single word that came easily to mind.
Murderous anger.
Two words that should have no place in dealing with my beautiful captive.
Hunger for revenge.
Three words that had plagued my entire life but had also served me well. And in this case, I had the desire to burn down the city in search of her father. Despite the horror of what she’d gone through, her testimony didn’t necessarily pinpoint that her father was a criminal. Some of the most righteous people in the world, those supposedly with God in their hearts were truly the worst scum of the earth.
I’d known more unscrupulous CEOs of major corporations than I had of the most violent crime syndicates. That’s why I honestlydidn’t feel any remorse for being a commander in the Bratva. Maybe for a healer to hear I had scruples seemed outrageous, but without morals I’d be locked in one institution or another. Choices had to be made carefully.
All of them. Including the choice of trust.
However, Vivian’s pain stemmed from years of mental and emotional abuse. While she’d insisted her bastard of a father had never touched her physically, what she’d endured with the young man she’d cared about had obviously shaped her life.
Sadly, playing dime store psychologist or superhero was completely inappropriate for the timing.
Although the ache in my system was only growing stronger with every passing hour.
And yes, there were serious, significant questions that needed answers.
After changing clothes, I slipped the keys into the lock, heading into the communications room not only to check and ensure everything was in order, but also to see what my guest had been up to in my absence.
After she’d slipped into a pair of jeans, she’d quickly made her way to the living room where she’d proceeded to stare out the window. I was quickly given the answer as to why.
My beautiful doctor was locating the whereabouts of my soldiers. She had balls. I’d certainly give her that.
From there, I watched her racing into the kitchen. Good girl. She’d grabbed a knife from the butcher block before heading to the back door. She was hoping that I’d yet to set the system on lockdown, which I hadn’t.
Maybe I’d wanted to see how far she’d go to try to escape. I certainly had another answer as soon as she opened the door and with the way she slumped in taking a deep breath, I was certain I was right.
