Chapter 4

Tori

D mitry tosses me over his shoulder with ease. A thrill shoots through me at the thought of being punished, it's what I've been craving. I've been hanging on by a thread for the last twenty-four hours and I need an outlet, but I won't make this easy, not after witnessing that shitshow.

Hanging upside down helplessly, I stare at Marshall still slumped on the floor, battered and bruised. I feel a pang of guilt that yet again my games have hurt someone I actually like.

"Put me down, you fucking wanker," I scream, hitting Dmitry's back as he carries me out the barn and back towards the house. He doesn't say a word as he storms across the courtyard.

He takes two steps at a time and enters the house, making his way to the dungeon of doom.

I grin to myself. I was getting sick of him ignoring me, and I wasn't sure what to do with myself or how to gain his attention. Seems I've managed it.

Reaching the dungeon, he places me on my feet at the end of the bed.

"Strip," he orders.

I curl my lips into a smirk, folding my arms over my chest. Leaning forward, I whisper, "Fuck you. Sir." My voice is laced with sarcasm. I give a little chuckle for good measure, knowing exactly how to get under his skin to get my own way. If this tosser thinks he's in control, he's met his match.

He stiffens at my words, and I see his jaw ticking while he weighs his next move. "Victoria, do you recall what happened the last time we did this little dance?"

I smile with confidence and realise I must be deranged. I've just watched him beat Marshall within an inch of his life, yet all I crave is the pain that only Dmitry can offer me. "You have to fucking catch me first. Sir."

I'm poking the beast and I know it, but the urge to cut has been strong lately and this will quench the need.

Dmitry dives towards me, but I step back, just avoiding his reach. He lets out a low growl, and his eyes dance with excitement as I rush to the side of the bed.

Stalking towards me with a murderous look in his eyes, Dmitry sniggers.

I jump onto the bed, trying to cut across so I can make my way to the door, which is my only exit, but I'm not fast enough. He grabs my ankle, and I faceplant the bed.

Flipping me over, he pins my arms either side of me as I thrash from side to side, trying to escape his clutches.

He leans down, inches from my face. "Victoria, stop." I still at his command, his gravelly voice sending thrills to my core. I inhale his scent, closing my eyes and arching my back off the bed, my body deceiving me with the need for connection. He nips at my neck, and I groan in pleasure. "There she is," he whispers, and I feel his smile against my neck. "My good krasota ." I relish his praise.

He releases my hands, ripping open my blouse and sending the buttons scattering across the wooden floor. I sigh, and he smirks down at me. "I warned you, Victoria." He reaches down, freeing my breast from my bra, and licks across my chest and over to my sensitive nipple, biting down hard enough to make me cry out in frustration.

"Dmitry," I growl in a low voice, "fuck me. Hurt me. I need pain." He shakes his head, "Not tonight, my krasota . Tonight, this is your punishment. You will gain no satisfaction." I frown. Surely, he's over it by now. I need his punishment.

His tongue trails down my abdomen, and I raise my hips to his face, trying to direct where I crave him most. He pushes my trousers down my legs, blowing gently on my sweet spot but keeping my lace underwear in place.

I whimper. "Please, Dmitry." I don't even care that I'm begging right now.

A low, angry chuckle leaves him. "You fuck yourself in front of my men and think you deserve a reward, my krasota ?"

I shake my head, tears of frustration threatening to fall. "I'm sorry . . . Dmitry." He swipes his tongue along my folds, pushing a finger into my pussy. I try to push against his tongue, needing friction, but he pulls away, and I automatically feel the loss.

He smirks down at me, obviously taking pleasure in my frustration. "You will never do that again, Victoria." I shake my head. "Words," he barks, and I jump at the tone of his voice.

"No, Sir," I whisper. He wipes away a small tear I hadn't even realised had escaped.

"No more games, Victoria. I am tired of them."

He flips me over with little effort, spanking my arse. The sting of his touch almost scratches that itch. He lines himself at my entrance, ramming into me without warning. "And for the record, I am not a coward." The force pushes me forward up the bed. He's chasing his own climax with little regard for my release. Fucking me like an animal.

Minutes later, I feel him stiffen as he grunts and releases into me. He stills, his heavy pants blowing across my back, then he pulls from me and taps my backside before he stands.

I almost feel dirty as I crawl away from him and curl into a ball. He covers me with a blanket from the foot of the bed and leans down, kissing me on the head. "Rest, Victoria." And just like that, he leaves the room.

I feel used. This Dmitry is different from the one I'm used to, and I hate it. Even his form of punishment has changed. There was no pain and certainly no pleasure—at least, not for me. All I've been craving is the pain to take away the ache that's been in my chest since ending Marcus. I know deep down that I deserve it, that my irrational decisions have consequences. I never think about the complications for anyone else. Marshall's taken a beating for my stupid behaviour.

My heart stutters when I picture the state he was in. I don't even know if he's dead. I got too distracted and caught up in my own needs, yet again.

I bring the soft blanket up to my shoulder, wrapping it around myself as if it's a shield protecting me from the rest of the world, and I close my eyes.

I startle at the sound of a bloodcurdling scream. Sitting up in bed, I realise the screaming is coming from me.

I look down at my blood-soaked hands. They're shaking so badly, and there's an ache in my heart as I cry uncontrollably. Sweat beads all over my body as I run to the bathroom, turning on the tap and scrubbing my hands with the nail brush, trying desperately to wash away the red stickiness.

My vision blurs from the tears, and my breathing is laboured because my chest is tight with a ball of anxiety.

I stare at my reflection in the mirror above the sink, seeing a spray of blood across my face. It's then I see him. Marcus. His haunted face stares at me from behind, and I inhale sharply. He's also covered in blood. It soaks his hair, and as an evil smile curls his lips, even his teeth are smeared.

I smash my fist into the mirror and watch as the glass shatters into the sink, taunting me. I turn around, screaming and hitting out at him. "Leave me the fuck alone, Marcus!" He grabs my wrists and panic takes over.

"Victoria." I freeze at the words. "Tori, it's me." I focus on the figure in front of me. The fog clears, and I see a concerned Dmitry staring back at me.

I exhale loudly, my entire body shaking violently as I realise it was just a dream. Dmitry pulls me close, and I cry into his chest. How the hell did I get into the bathroom? I'm losing it .

He lifts my exhausted body into his arms, walking me over to the bed, then he pulls off my ripped blouse and lays me back. I hang on to his body like my life depends on it. "Don't leave, please, Dmitry," I cry.

"Never, Victoria." He prises my arms from around his neck.

Removing his clothes and sliding into bed behind me, he pulls my body close to his, covering us with the blanket I was cocooned in earlier.

He strokes my hair, and I relax into his touch.

"I'm sorry," I whimper. "I can't seem to get anything right."

"You have to understand, my krasota , that my world isn't like the world you're used to. You have to consider your every move carefully." He puts his arm around my waist, pulling me even closer. "Everything I do is for a reason. I told you I'm not a good man, Victoria."

"After today, I don't only have Marcus's blood on my hands, I have Marshall's too." I rub my hands over my tired face. "I only did it to get your attention."

"Well, you certainly got that, my krasota ." He lets out a small laugh. "And Marshall isn't dead." I sigh in relief, and he stiffens behind me. "Careful, Victoria. He may well be if you continue to show so much concern."

"It's not like that. I wanted you to leave with me, and I thought you would come running." I pause, choosing my next words carefully. "Marshall has become like a brother to me, and now, I've hurt him with my brazen decisions."

I sniffle at the realisation I'm completely unravelling. Dmitry turns me to face him. "You've experienced a lot recently," he kisses my head tenderly, "but, my krasota , this destructive behaviour has to stop."

I nod in agreement as another stray tear slides down my cheek, soaking into the pillow.

Dmitry

Victoria's light snores fill the room as she drifts off into sleep. Earlier, I'd given her time to think about her behaviour after taking what I wanted, but I instantly regretted it when her screams filled the manor.

I'd been watching her on camera from my office, considering what the hell to do next. She was restless, tossing and turning, and all I wanted was to go down and comfort her. But she needed to understand the severity of her dangerous behaviour.

Her screams ricocheted around the house, scaring me half to death. I've never heard so much pain in one scream, and trust me, I've heard a lot of them. When I looked back at the camera and saw she wasn't on the bed, I ran to the dungeon, relieved when I found her in the bathroom, but the relief didn't last long. The way she reacted to me, like she was seeing Marcus, is concerning.

I reach over, stroking the side of her face, and she stirs slightly before resting her hand over my heart. I grasp her hand in mine and stare up at the ceiling. My mind floods with worry when I picture the fear I witnessed on her face in the bathroom. She's falling apart . Somehow, some way, I need to save Victoria Harding.

I've remained awake, just watching her closely in case I need to chase any more nightmares away.

Victoria stretches beside me, yawning before reaching up to place a kiss on my lips. "Morning, Adonis." She smiles as if last night didn't happen.

I roll on top of her, pinning her to the bed, and she giggles. I've missed the sound. I take her mouth possessively in a kiss, and she groans against me, arching herself off the bed. I break the kiss and peck her on the nose. "In the shower, my krasota ." I wink, and she moans in frustration. I roll away from her and slide my trousers on.

She whines, pulling the blanket back over her head. "I think I'll just stay here."

I smile, grabbing the edge of the blanket and pulling it from her body. She lets out another dramatic groan. "I thought I could take you to see Marshall."

This gets her attention, and although I feel a pang of jealousy at her reaction, I know she needs to see that he's okay, apart from a few cuts and bruises.

I might be a monster, but I wasn't going to end his life. He's a good man to have beside me, and he took his punishment well. I respect that. "But if you don't want to," I tease, throwing the blanket back over her and collecting a clean shirt from the wardrobe.

"Really?" she asks, nervously fiddling with her fingers. "I don't think he'll want to see me. It's my fault."

I step towards her, hooking my finger under her chin and raising her eyes to meet mine. "He knew the consequences, my krasota . He should have pulled the car over and called me. Marshall is well aware of how I conduct myself." Her eyes are downcast, and I feel her retracting back into herself. "Victoria, look at me." She lifts her gaze. "Go see him for yourself. He doesn't blame you, though don't get any ideas about kissing him better." I wink at her, trying to lighten the mood, and she smiles and gets up from the bed. As she passes me, I slap her arse. The sound makes me shudder and my palm itches to repeat that action. "That's my good girl."

Once Victoria has freshened up, I take her upstairs to one of the spare rooms Marshall is currently residing in. I enter without knocking, finding him lying in the bed. He tries to sit up when he sees me but grimaces in pain. I put my hand up to stop him, not wanting to create any more damage. "No need to get up. Someone wanted to see you."

He frowns, clearly unsure of my change in demeanour from last night. Victoria enters the room with her head lowered and her gaze on the ground. My strong, independent woman is suddenly so forlorn, and it twists my heart.

Marshall looks between us nervously. I imagine he's feeling apprehensive about what this situation means for him. Grasping Victoria's hand, I pull her attention to me. "You have nothing to worry about, my krasota ." I place a gentle kiss on the back of her hand. "Marshall, you understand why this had to happen, no?" It comes out a little harsher than intended.

He nods, wincing with each movement. "I apologise again, Boss. I should've called you." He takes in a deep breath, spluttering as he holds his ribs. "It won't happen again."

"I know, because if it happens again, you will have to come to an end." Marshall has been with me a long time. He knows how I work, and he realises how lucky he is to still be breathing right now.

"I understand, Boss."

I release Victoria's hand and leave the room, allowing her a chance to apologise and make things right between them.

I enter my office, opening the surveillance app for Marshall's room. The jealousy I feel is overwhelming, but Marshall could be good for her. Before all this, they were getting along, and if they have a good bond, I know he'll want to protect her with his life.

Running my hands over my tired face, I consider my next move. There's a knock on the door, and I look away from the screen to see Nik's frame filling the doorway.

"Take a seat, Nik." I motion to the chair at the other side of my desk.

"Boss," he nods in acceptance and sits down opposite me, "I've had a call about the note that was sent to Phoebe. As suspected, there's no indication of where it came from or who wrote it." I let out a sigh. I don't know what I was expecting, but a clue as to who sent it would have been nice. "I don't mean to overstep, Boss, but you look tired."

I glance at the CCTV, eyeing my beauty. She's sitting in the chair next to Marshall's bed with her legs tucked under her, listening to whatever it is he's telling her.

"Victoria is struggling." I run my hands through my hair and shake my head. When did it all get so complicated? "She's falling apart, and I think she's seeing visions of Marcus. Last night, she was distraught, screaming at me as if I was him. It was like she was locked in a nightmare, only awake. It makes no sense."

"She's been through a lot, and she's not from this world. It must be catching up with her." He eyes me curiously as if contemplating his next words carefully. "I know a great therapist." I'm already shaking my head as the next words leave his mouth. "We can't have any information leaked about Marcus, and she needs to talk about that if the nightmares are to stop."

"The therapist is from our world, Boss. She can be trusted not to disclose anything. It may help Victoria get control of herself. It could also help put a stop to her irrational behaviour." He laughs, and I frown at his overfamiliarity. He puts his hands up in defeat, losing the smile from his face. "Sorry, Boss, completely unprofessional, but let's put it this way—it can't hurt, can it?"

He's right. I need to do whatever I can to save Victoria from herself and the memories in her head. Everything I've tried so far has just made the situation worse.

"Get me her number. I'll make arrangements for her to be seen, but it must be done at the manor."

He stands to leave, and I look back at my krasota laughing with Marshall. She's never had people look out for her, and I suddenly have this overwhelming urge to show her what it means to be nurtured. To be loved.