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“And if I say no?”
“I don’t think you’ll enjoy the physicality of my reaction.”
CHAPTER5
Emily
Breathtaking beauty.
Spectacular vistas surrounded me, lush and green, a direct complement to the almost cloudless blue sky. The brute had been right, horseback allowing me to see his expansive property. The sprawling estate consisted of four separate wings as well as several outbuildings. The land must require constant maintenance to keep the grounds in such a pristine state.
Kostya’s presence remained an intolerable yet exciting barrier, making it difficult to breathe around him. If I didn’t know the terms of our association or the fact that he was a highly trained killer, I’d say I’d been brought to paradise. But there was no disguising who and what he was, or that I’d been taken against my will. At least being on horseback gave me a small sense of home, even if that had been a lifetime ago.
The fact he knew so much about me was almost as terrifying as the rugged man who never allowed his gaze to travel very far. I wasn’t certain why he’d allowed me this gift, but I was grateful for the opportunity to breathe fresh air, even if it meant spending time with the devil. He guided the horses through a set of trees, pulling on my appaloosa’s reins, ensuring both horses were slowed down.
Seconds later, I was able to see why. A stunning view of the ocean was presented like a vibrant watercolor, the waning afternoon sun casting a shimmer of gold across the water as well as the rocky cliffs. There was a short distance between the edge of the forest and the precipice, the drop-off to the ocean several hundred feet. Now I fully embraced what he was doing, highlighting my dazzling, dangerous cage.
“You were insistent about learning our location,mi hermosa flor. Now, I believe it’s time to share with you a few details of your new home.” Kostya’s tone was just as seductive as before, only darker, tinged in shades of possession. “I own several thousand acres, of which two sides are surrounded by the glorious sight you see in front of you. While several men have attempted to defy my privacy by scaling the rocky terrain, all have failed.”
He stopped talking, slowly tipping his head in my direction, drinking in my reaction. I sensed his continued amusement at my reaction, a quick glance in his direction confirming what I’d already known. The smile on his face exuded power and control.
“In addition to what you see, the estate and every single mile of my property are protected by dozens of soldiers who are very loyal to me. They ensure that the main house is secure, allowing me not only privacy but at least some comfort in the fact no one will dare fuck with me. Given two attempted breaches in security occurred in a close time frame, additional safekeeping methods were installed, including high caliper electric fences as well as dozens of boobytraps. My men are all military trained sharpshooters with access to dozens of weapons and other equipment such as night vision goggles and tracking systems. In other words, there is no chance of escaping.”
Shivering, I hated my reaction, but the moment was enlightening. I would never leave here alive.
“I wanted to make that perfectly clear to you so you shouldn’t make a single attempt. However, please keep in mind that if you do, the punishment will remain with you for many months to come. That is not something I want. However, do I make myself clear,mi hermosa flor, my beautiful flower?”
His flower. I didn’t want to be his anything ever under any circumstances. I closed my eyes, willing to have my life back, but when I opened them again, the horror of what had occurred had been firmly imbedded in my brain. “Yes.” The sound of my voice was weak, ripped with fear.
“Excellent. Then let’s enjoy the remainder of our ride. There is much to see.”
I felt stiff, my heart racing as we rode for a few minutes along the edge of the cliff before taking a sharp turn toward another set of trees. A lump had formed in my throat, my mind fuzzy from fear and rage.
“You’re far too quiet. I’m certain you have additional questions.” He was so cavalier, completely comfortable in keeping me terrified. And I loathed what the sound of his voice continued to do to me. Still, I was determined to remain quiet. “Oh, come now. If we want to get along, I think it’s important that we are able to talk.”
My thoughts had drifted to my mother. She was in danger. While my father had tried to convince her to move out of New York, she’d refused, only changing her name after he’d begged. That had been one month before he’d been killed. Murdered. Just like Eddie. Why did I feel there was a connection of some kind? What I couldn’t do was tell Kostya of her existence. Then again, had he been able to find out who she was? Oh, God. With the merciless killer, anything was possible. My mind was still processing the events of the last forty-eight hours, the fear remaining like claws wrapped around my throat. And this bastard wanted to talk like this was normal? Fuck him.
“I don’t want to talk to you!” I snapped, sucking in my breath. “You must be crazy. You abducted me, brought to God knows where, make certain I knew that if I dared try and get my life back then you’d punish me. Then you terrify me with the fact your soldiers will be happy to shoot me if I dare try and escape. Why in God’s name would I ever consider having a conversation with a murderer?”
The brooding man remained silent, but his anger oozed from his muscular body, the heat he resonated electrifying the air around us. He slowly turned his head, his dark eyes obsidian black, piercing to the point I sensed not only had he undressed me, but he’d tethered me to his bed, my wrists twisted in several feet of rope. “You will learn, my beautiful flower, that there are worse things in life than being in my possession. I only hope that when you do, the circumstances won’t prevent me from coming to your rescue.”
While the statement wasn’t an overt threat, I’d never felt the kind of fright slowly clawing at my insides that I did at this moment.
When he pressed his knees against his horse, the stallion immediately galloping, only then was I able to catch my breath. I took a few seconds before patting the mare, allowing her to return to the stallion’s side as Kostya guided us through several acres of gorgeous scenery.
Kostya pulled the reins a second time, guiding the horse to a stop then waited until I flanked his side. “Tell me what you see, what you smell, Emily.”
“Is this a game of show and tell?”
His laugh was brief, dark, and dangerous. “You wanted answers. This is the best way to provide them. Tell. Me. Use all your senses.”
Swallowing, I glanced from left to right then inhaled, surprised at the sweet fragrance. The land went on as far as the eye could see, rolling hills on one side, on another pasture so green, filled with small white flowers, that it reminded me of another painting. It was so beautiful that it was difficult to describe. After taking another deep breath, it was hard not to smile. “Strawberries.”
“Very good. There are seventy-five acres of strawberries grown every year. I have several employees who work the fields, harvesting the fruit, another set of talented workers who package them for distribution.”
“I don’t understand.”
After dropping off his horse, he offered me a hand. I knew better than to ignore his gesture yet when I wrapped my fingers around his, my body’s reaction stole my breath. Gasping, I allowed him to pull me off, the force enough to thrust me against his chest.
