Page 19 of Nemesis

I look up defiantly, trying to pretend like I’m still the one in control. I should’ve killed the bastard when I had the chance.

“What is wrong with you?”

A glint of pearly white peeks out between his lips before they dip into a pout. “Why does there have to be something wrong with me?”

My eyes practically bug out. “We’re in a fucking cage! Haven’t you noticed?”

“I noticed.”

He’s not panicked. He doesn’t even look remotely concerned with the fact that we woke up in captivity. A bad feeling settles in my gut, tainted with the sour taste of suspicion. I don’t allow it to reach my face. With the belt still looped around his neck and swinging against my breast, I see an opportunity to turn the tables. His confusing eyes tunnel into me, so full of bewilderment one second, and dry mirth in the next. The leather groans softly as I wrap it around my fist.

Vasiliy’s lips crack, pleased I’m finally playing along.

I leverage the belt.

And slam my knee into his groin.

“Fuck,” he coughs, rolling over onto the ground.

A rewarding gasp sucks down his throat, causing my lips to tug into a triumphant smile. “Where are we, Vasiliy?” I hedge, scooting backward through the soot before rising to my feet.

“I don’t know,” he groans, still bent over across the floor.

The words anger me. It’s not like I have any better guesses, but the careless behavior is throwing me off. I’m the one who woke up first, and yet, I still feel like the one at a disadvantage.

The ceiling isn’t high, but it’s not low either. I stand comfortably and scour the space. The only thing on the other side of the bars is a black void that doesn’t change shape no matter how hard I squint. My legs start to shake at the realization, breaths coming faster. No. Stay calm. Find a way out…

“What are you doing?” I hear behind me, but I don’t bother turning.

“Looking.”

“Looking for what?” he asks again, causing my teeth to bare in a snarl.

“I don’t know! How about a fucking key?” My hands pat the wall, mapping out the area in my mind.

I ignore the amused snort that cuts through the air. “You won’t find one.”

“How would you know? You an expert at being kidnapped?”

“Kinda,” the low voice mumbles behind me.

The word trickles down my back. I turn, quick as a whip.

A strange wave of emotion passes over his features, there and gone before I can name it. What is he hiding? I know I’m missing some part of this puzzle. I’m a nobody. I don’t date. I don’t go out. I don’t even have a single person who would fit under the title of friend. I’m the absolute worst person to kidnap.

I tuck my arms against my torso. “Vasiliy,” I probe when he doesn’t elaborate any further.

He doesn’t respond.

“Vasiliy!”

“Do you have any connections to the Bratva?” The lingering amusement in his tone dims.

I wrinkle my nose in confusion. Bratva? “No?”

When I look back, his intense gaze is already pinned to me, almost as if he’s trying to decide if I’m telling the truth.

“We’re literally sitting in a cage waiting to die, and I’m pretty sure it’s not my fault,” I snap, gripping the wall behind for support. “If you have a reason to be kidnapped, I think now’s the time to fess up. Out with it.”