Page 60 of His Ruthless Queen

I clear my throat. “I need something to write with. Or will you remember it?” I direct my question to Fyodor, the sass in my tone slipping through despite my best efforts to sound timid.

Stop being sassy. Keep your mouth shut.

I scream internally at the voice in my head. When I see him again, he’ll be lucky if I don’t throat punch him.

Fyodor hands me his phone, the notes section already pulled up. I begin my list, typing frantically. Hairbrush is number one, so the creeper can stop running his bulky fingers through it.

“I’m not sure what you’ve been told,” I say. “Or what you know. I don’t eat much, but I don’t eat this ...” I wave to the eggs and bacon. “I’m vegan.”

Fyodor snorts at the same time Vlad’s mouth drops. “That’s going to change,” he says, as if it’s that easy.

“I haven’t eaten meat or dairy in over a decade. If I start now, it’ll be a process. I’ll be sick. I’m already not feeling well. My head.” I make a show of pressing my hand to my head, gasping, showing him how bad it hurts, despite me pretending it doesn’t.

“I need my strength after being manhandled.”

“Maybe next time you’ll think before you attack,” Fyodor grunts.

I shoot him an incredulous look. “You broke into my home. It was self defense. You’re also three times my size. You could have easily detained me with a third of the force you did. Now, my body is paying the price. So please do not make me eat this. I will upchuck all over you.”

Vlad’s face scrunches in disgust. He waves a hand, then stands. “Get her whatever she needs. And don’t let her out of your sight until I return.”

He’s leaving? “Where are you going?” I ask, on high alert.

He doesn’t pay me any mind, just straightens the cufflinks on his suit and leaves the dining room. I return to the notes, adding to my list.

Fresh fruits and veggies go on there. I’ll starve before I eat this junk.

“You’re an animal lover,” Fyodor says while I continue tapping away.

I hand him the phone. “Yes.”

My heart aches, thinking of Frog. I’m not sure what the state of my house was left in, but I know it can’t be good. I know I’d be lucky if Frog didn’t take off outside. Still, I have to know. I steel myself for the answer to my next question. “My cat, Frog. I’m worried about him. I think the explosive would have spooked him off. And he’s not used to the area. I’m worried he’s lost.”

His face softens, and I know he’s thinking the same. I wonder if he’ll actually be honest. Are we at the point in this hostage-kidnapper relationship where he will spare my feelings, or be mean and dig the knife deeper?

I’m about to find out.

“I didn’t see a cat when we were there. He’s probably gone. Sorry.”

I bite the inside of my bottom lip. I hate that the tears are threatening to spill out. I don’t want them to see me so emotionally weak. It’s the one thing I have the ability to control, yet I keep finding myself on the verge of tears. I don’t need Fyodor’s pity. The way he looks at me like I’m a fragile, broken flower. It makes me sick. I’m done being the one everyone feels bad for. The one people worry about.

Scotty said to wait for him. Survive until he can get to me. But what about being able to take care of myself? I’m always relying on others. No one believes I’m capable of protecting myself.

Sean and Scotty made that clear when they laughed at my expense while I stood in his kitchen.

“Where is Vlad off to?” I ask, sipping my water.

“To meet with his father.”

“Oh?”

The need to ask all of the questions I have stirs. When will he be back? How many people are here? Can I sneak away? What is he meeting with his father for? I can’t ask them without being suspicious.

Shouting comes from the foyer. A loud crash follows, and it has Fyodor shooting to his feet. He rounds the table, rushing toward me before I can even react. His fingers grip into my elbow, and he yanks me to stand.

The chair kicks out from under me and I’m dragged toward the opposite end of the room. There’s another set of French doors, where Fyodor pushes me through. It’s the kitchen, an older woman is at the sink in the center, washing dishes.

Fyodor barks something in Russian at her, then shoves me into a floor to ceiling cabinet. “Don’t come out until I say.”

Source: www.allfreenovel.com