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He gives me a pitying look as he pats my arms. “You keep telling yourself that. I just wanted to show you to your room. Now, come on.” He tugs me forward, and I have no choice but to enter the bedroom. “Look around. Is it to your liking?”
I don’t look around. “No. I want to go home.”
“But you are home.”
I stifle a sigh. “My other home. The one with my family.”
“You really miss your family? I’m surprised.” He plops down onto the bed. “With the way your uncle was touching you, you look disgusted. And I happened to overhear you tell your mom you hate her.”
I flush but don’t look away. I can’t let a man like Viktor sense my weakness.
“So,” he continues, “I can’t, for the life of me, understand why you’d miss them. You were set up to be sold at auction, my dear. All those men in that room clamoring to marry you, and you looked like you wanted to be anywhere else.” He stands up and gets so close to me, I can smell the peppermint on his breath. “So, don’t tell me you want to go back home. I’m giving you the chance for freedom. Take it.”
His words entice, I can’t deny. I was mad at my mom for making me marry someone, and I was angry at Emilia for siding with her. I’m always angry at Franco. All I’ve ever wanted was to make my own decisions and live my life for myself and no one else. Viktor is offering me just that.
Yet, I still miss my family.
I cross my arms and take a steady breath. “It’s not freedom when you force me to leave with you at gunpoint.”
He opens his mouth, then promptly shuts it. “True.” He points his finger at me. “That is very true, Gemma. So, that’s why I’m going to have to lock you in here.”
“Wait. What?”
He whistles as he strolls toward the door. “You heard me. You’re going to run the first chance you get, and I can’t have that. I need you to stay here. So, have a good night.” He winks before shutting the door. I hear the lock click into place.
I run to the door and jiggle the knob, but of course, it doesn’t budge. A scream erupts out of me as I hit the door. I keep kicking and hitting it until I get tired. There’s no use. Viktor isn’t letting me out anytime soon.
Or ever.
I push that thought away as I look around the room, searching for a way out or something I can use as a weapon. Spotting a window on the opposite wall, I run to it, pushing it open. I’m honestly shocked it opens, but when I look down, I realize why Viktor didn’t lock it. I’m on the second story, and it’s a long drop to the ground below. I’d definitely break an ankle—or worse.
Still doesn’t mean I’m not going to try and escape.
I hike the end of my dress up and shimmy onto the windowsill. Vertigo hits me as I look down. Shit. I need to keep it together. I can do this. I can do this. God, I better fucking do this.
Crouching low, I grip the windowsill and lower my legs down. Soon, I’m only hanging on by the tips of my fingers. Taking a deep breath and shutting my eyes, I let myself drop.
A sense of weightlessness overcomes me for a few moments before the stark pain of a twisted ankle brings me back to reality. I slam onto the ground, my ankle buckling. The scream is out of me before I can even stop it. At least I’m not dead. But my ankle is definitely twisted if not broken.
Pushing through the pain, I stand up and try to take a step before falling back down. Nope. I can’t walk on it. I’ll have to limp my way out of this mess.
Gritting my teeth, I get back up and practically hop my way on one foot around the side of the house. I can see the driveway from here. I keep hopping and hopping, feeling myself getting closer and closer to freedom …
… until Viktor asks, “What are you doing?”
I scream and fall back down again. He laughs as he comes over to me, kneeling beside me. “Seriously, Gemma. Whatareyou doing?”
“I’m escaping,” I hiss, jerking away from him.
“I can see that. I’ll admit. I’m impressed. I didn’t think you’d have it in you to jump from the second floor. Your tenacity arouses me.”
“You’re disgusting.”
“And you’re amusing.” He grabs my arms, helping me stand up. Hetsks. “See, now, I have to help you fix up that ankle. It already looks swollen.” He sweeps me into his arms before I can object and carries me inside.
I try to look tough as he sets me on the couch in the living room, but by his laugh, I know I’m not doing a very good job of it.
“I’ll get some ice.”
