Page 6

He was evil and soulless.

“You will work for me,” he said. “Your duties—”

“No,” I said automatically without thinking, and I swallowed when his eyes narrowed on me, but looking at them, they darkened as his pupils grew.

“You are willing to die?”

“I will not work for someone who causes so much misery to others,” I said, focusing on his tie.

“Throw her back in the cell. It might give her some time to reconsider,” he said, standing up.

I closed my eyes because I almost begged him to kill me. The tears that I held back now coated my eyelashes and threatened to flood me. I felt the ropes being untied while I struggled to contain my emotions. Viktor dragged me back to the cell but didn't use my hair this time.

But that wasn't why I felt gratitude toward him. It was for the two bottles of water he tossed into my cell before he slammed the metal door shut—the metallic sound of my death knoll.

???

The misery of darkness began all over again, but this time, it was worse because the memories of my past demons haunted me. I wondered if I should have sold my soul to the devil to be rid of the torment. He would only let me live until I had something to offer. When I was no longer any use to him, he would eliminate me. I’d lived in fear before and refused to do it again.

“I refuse, Adrik Ilyin,” I whispered in the silent, shit-infested darkness.

My back hit the wall, and I sank to the floor, uncaring of the dirt. He meant to break me. All I had to do was cling to my sanity and not descend into hell beside the devils and monsters. I closed my eyes and began to hum the first song that came to my mind.

Chapter 5

Adrik

I handed Viktor his glass before I filled mine up. By the fifth day of her captivity, I cracked and sent her some protein drinks along with a few bottles of water. It left me fuming that the little hacker hadmedancing toherfucking moral tune. I drained my glass and topped it up again, ignoring the burn at the back of my throat.

“How was she?”

“A complete mess. She thought I was someone else and started screaming the place down,” he said, taking a sip from his glass. “The rabbit is weakening.”

“Rabbit,” I said, repeating his words as a sick thought flashed through my mind. A sick version of a Playboy Bunny. “When is the doctor due?”

“Friday,” he said with a slight smile. “What did you have in mind?”

“Something that will break her,” I said with a smile before sipping my drink.

I had two days to bring her back to life, and then I would decimate her again. No was not a word that I would accept. Her skills would open many doors for me. I could gather dirt on anyone I wanted. She had cracked international government systems, but most of all, she could be vital in helping me snare the traitor in our midst.

???

Viktor carried her into the house and took her upstairs. The maid ran a bath while Viktor sat her on top of the toilet. Ania looked around in confusion while Viktor held her upright by her shoulders. The maid knew better than to look around. She did her job and immediately left.

“Take her hoody and jeans off,” I said to Viktor, unwilling to touch the soiled clothing.

The cut on her nose had begun to heal, and a scab covered it. The injury didn't look as severe, as the swelling had gone down. The purple bruise on her cheek had faded slightly. Her boots and clothes were discarded. She sat on the toilet, shivering.

“I've got it from here,” I said as he stood up from removing her jeans. “Take the boots and clothes with you.”

By the time I turned the shower on, he was gone, as were her nasty clothes and boots. I held my breath and pulled her T-shirt up, but she wore a vest beneath it, so I gathered both before yanking them off her.

“Stand up,” I said, but when she didn't respond, I repeated the words only louder. She stood up, but her hand clawed the wall for support.

I slid her black cotton underpants down her thighs until they lay on the white tiles. She frowned at me, but her eyes looked dazed and confused. I held her elbow and guided her into the shower.

“Wash your hair,” I said loud enough for her to jump into action.