Chapter Twenty-TwoIrina

Chapter Twenty-Two

Irina

Pain trickles into my awareness, followed by voices I'm not familiar with. Voices that make me feel like I'm trapped in a nightmare.

I have no idea where I am, but the first thought that comes into my head as I slowly regain consciousness is Alexei's name.

He's not here with me. I know because I listened for his voice among the other voices. He's not here because I can't smell his woodsy scent.

I try to open my eyes, but they feel heavy as if they are weighed down by invisible chains. A sharp jolt of fear courses through me as I realize I can't move. Panic rises in my chest, making it hard to breathe.

"Stay calm," a voice says, cutting through the haze of my mind.

I can't open my eyes, and I can't feel any sense of comfort. I feel sick to my stomach, but I'm too weak to ask any questions or cry.

I'm pulled by a wave of darkness, and I don't fight it. I allow it take me.

***

I regain consciousness again, and fortunately, I can open my eyes this time.

As the fog in my mind clears, I realize I'm lying on a cold metal table, my hands bound by rough rope.

Panic surges through me as I try to remember how I ended up here. The last thing I can recall is going upstairs to take a shower and putting on the dress I'm wearing now.

I'm not certain, but I think I heard someone enter my bedroom. Everything after that is a blank void.

Things begin to make sense. Whoever entered that bedroom was not Alexei, and I've been kidnapped.

My blood curdles and a shiver shoots down my spine. Where is Alexei? He would never let anyone take me unless… my eyes sting with tears. Something is wrong, Alexei is in trouble.

I struggle against my restraints, but the ropes hold firm, digging further into my skin the harder I try.

"Look who is awake."

I crane my neck to the sound of the voice. Air drains from my lungs when I see Igor standing above me. His hands are shoved in his pockets and he has a grim look on his face.

"What are you doing here?" I feel stupid for asking because I know exactly why he is here. He works for Paulo. It was his voice I heard in that car.

"What do you think I am doing? Christmas shopping?" He chuckles sardonically. "I missed your pretty face. How long as it been since last spoke? A month? Two?"

I look at his leg. "I see you're healed enough to run your mouth."

He prowls toward me, and before I can predict what he's about to do, he slaps me across the face. "Watch your mouth, whore."

A metallic taste fills my mouth. My jaw feels like it's just broken into a thousand pieces. My hands are clammy from how terrified I am, but I don't dare show it. Men like him will feast on my fear if he so as much as senses it. "You betrayed Alexei, fucking traitor."

"He betrayed me first." His hands clench into a fist. "He could have married my daughter, but he chose to marry a whore like you, and then he had the nerve to shoot me because of you."

"You betrayed your Pakhan because your ego was hurt?" I huff out a laugh even though all I want to do right now is cry. "How interesting."

He grits his teeth, his face contorting with rage. "He is not my Pakhan , not anymore. But I don't need to explain anything to you, you're just a lowly prostitute who got lucky with Alexei."

Ignoring the stinging pain in my face, I retaliate, "I think you're mixing things up. If there's anyone who is a whore, then it is your daughter. Have you seen her at the club?"

He lunges at me, his fists balled and ready to strike. I flinch, but then I feel a new sensation in my chest - defiance. I'm not going to let him win. Defying him won't get me anywhere, but if I must die here today, I won't go down without a fight.

"What are you getting in return for betraying Alexei? Money? Did they promise you that you would be Pakhan if he's dead?" I ask, my voice strong despite the fear I'm still feeling. "Come on, Igor. You're smarter than that. No way you don't know they'll kill you once all of this is over."

Igor smirks, clearly enjoying my defiance.

"Keep running your mouth, whore. How about I share a little secret with you." He leans towards me. "Your husband will be dead soon. And as for what I get in return, that's none of your business. The only thing you should worry about right now is how soon you will join him."

His words send a shiver down my spine. I try to swallow the fear welling up in my throat, but it's impossible to hold it back. I'm not even sure how long I have been here, but the thought of Alexei being in danger? It's unbearable.

"Alexei..." I mutter, my voice weak and filled with hope. "Is he...is he okay?"

Igor chuckles, a cruel sound that makes my skin crawl.

"He is alive for now, but I wouldn't be too optimistic. You see, he's made too many enemies, and now everyone wants him dead."

He stops, letting his words hang in the air, and I can see the danger of the situation in his eyes. Igor is not a man to be trifled with.

"And me?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. I want to know my fate. I want to know if he plans to kill me.

"There are things worse than dying, my dear," he says, and I can feel the malice in his voice. He moves closer to me, and I'm suddenly aware of how powerless I am. I'm at his mercy, and I hate it.

"What do you mean?" I ask, trembling despite my fear. I want to know what he has planned for me, what I can expect. I know Igor is not in charge here, Paulo is. It doesn't mean Igor can't do whatever he wants with me and throw me away when he's done.

He smiles, showing his yellow teeth. "You'll find out soon enough." With that, he turns and walks away, and I'm alone once again on the metal table.

The sound of his footsteps fade away, leaving me in complete silence, alone with my thoughts. I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. I can't panic. I can't allow myself to give in to fear. I need to think. I need to find a way out of this.

I try to shift my body, to see if there's any slack in the ropes binding me. They don't budge, not even a fraction of an inch. I'm trapped, helpless, and utterly terrified.

For a moment, I allow myself to be consumed by the fear, to cry, to plead for Alexei.

My husband is not an easy man to kill.

Igor was just boasting, I tell myself over and over again. But Alexei is still only human. He would come for me if he survived, what if he doesn't? What if he needs my help and I'm here…useless?

The door opens and I catch the shadow of someone not as fit as Igor approach. When he comes in view, I see it's Paulo.

But how? We'd taken him to the mansion and… My eyes wide. "This was your plan, you knew we were coming to that masked party."

He smiles. "You're smarter than your husband it seems."

"What did you do to Alexei?" There's no way he would have left there without Alexei. "What did you do to him?" I yell.

"Nothing for now, but I plan to make a dog out of him soon." His eyes darken with sick amusement. "You'll see how I turn him into nothing."

"Alexei is not a dog," I bark out. "He'll kill you."

"Some dogs bite their masters, child. That is why I've put him on a leash." His laugh echoes in the room.

My stomach churns with nausea. He's trying to control Alexei by using me, and I know Alexei would do anything to keep me safe. I can't allow that happen. I need to come up with a way to escape from here. I don't care if I die as long as Alexei won't have to be anyone's dog.

"How about we strike a deal?" I smile despite the ice coating my veins. "We have unfinished business from the masked party?"

He cocks his brow. "You're willing to sleep with me to keep your husband safe?"

"Isn't that what you want?"

He prowls closer and grabs my chin. A finger on his other hand trails a line between my breasts. "You don't seem to understand the situation, girl. Your life depends on me now, and I can take whatever I want from you, even your body."

Bile climbs up my throat. I'm so disgusted by Paulo's touch that when my throat unclenches, I vomit.