Page 5

Chapter Five

Nadia

I ’m woken up to the sound of heavy footsteps coming down the stairs.

Jerking up, I clutch my hands to my chest but it’s pointless. I have nothing to protect myself against Dante and his men. My father made me feel weak most of my life but never have I felt weaker until this moment.

If Dante’s intention is to break me down, he’s already doing a good job of it.

Aiden and Finn appear at the foot of the stairs. Finn with his smirk and Aiden with his stoic expression. Behind them is Matteo. Even he can’t be trusted, despite being the nicest out of the group.

And finally, there’s Dante. In his hand is a camcorder.

“Hi, Nadia,” Finn says, wiggling his fingers at me. A weight like heavy cement sits in my stomach. None of this feels right.

I stand up – or try to anyway. My legs get caught in the heavy fabric of my dress and I trip and land on my hands and knees.

Finn’s laugh cuts me right to my core. “She’s like Bambi. Can’t even walk on her legs yet.”

When I look up, I see Dante watching me with a curious expression. It’s both hungry and pitying. I hate him for it .

Anya was the one who held hate in her heart more than I ever did. I had a tendency to forgive our father, even after he hurt us, because it was just easier than constantly hating him.

But I know what hate feels like now. And it’s in the form of Dante Moretti.

“You think your jokes are funny but they’re not,” Matteo says.

Finn shoots him a glare. “My jokes are hilarious.”

Aiden shrugs. “Your jokes are ok. I’ve heard better.”

“Et tu, Aiden?” Finn clasps his hand to his chest. “Et tu?”

“Both of you, stop it,” Dante snaps. “We’re not here to banter. We’re here to get a job done. And you” – he sets his electrifying eyes onto me – “are the job that needs to get done.”

“I-I don’t understand.” I stumble away from him but my foot hits the mattress and I fall right onto my back with a huff. The sight of all four men standing above me is something from a nightmare.

“I need to get this show on the road,” Dante explains. “The picture I sent to your sister was fun but it’s time to up the ante. Erik needs to know that you’re in danger. It will drive him fucking mad. So, get up. Don’t look up at me with those eyes. You’re the enemy here, Nadia. I have no sympathy for you.” It’s almost like he’s trying to convince himself of that.

My tears hit me with a sudden abandon. “Please don’t hurt me. Please.” I lay there and cry and I don’t even care if I look pathetic. I’m terrified out of my mind.

“Poor baby is hurt,” Finn mocks. “Someone should give her a bottle to suck on.”

“Don’t make a disgusting euphemism,” Aiden mutters.

“I wasn’t but you did it for me.”

Matteo only shakes his head, looking utterly annoyed, with me or the brothers, I’m not sure which.

I can barely see through my tears so at first, I’m not sure if I’m imagining it or it’s really happening, but Dante holds his hand out to me.

“Come on,” he says in a softer tone. “Let’s get this over with.”

“No,” I whisper. “Please. Just leave me alone. I don’t want this. I’m not your enemy. I’m not the answer.”

“It’s because you’re so innocent and mean so much to the people in your life that you are exactly the answer. I can’t hurt Erik. It wouldn’t hurt enough people. Same with your father. And if I hurt your sister, I would only be hurting you and what good would that do? I don’t want to drive you mad. You didn’t try to kill me.”

“So, don’t hurt me.”

He kneels down next to me and pushes strands of my hair out of my face. “But you did stand back and watch as your sister stabbed me. I don’t trust a Russian and I definitely don’t trust someone who is related to Sergei Belov. So, I’m afraid, sweet Nadia, that you have to pay the price. Now, are you going to lay there and cry or are you going to do something about it?”

My last hiccup leaves my body. Dante does have a point. Maybe if I do as they say, they’ll let me go. I’m not a fighter like Anya but I do have one thing at my disposal: my brain. If I’m smart, I can play along until I can find a way to escape.

Dante holds his hand out again. “Well?”

My hand only shake slightly as I place my palm in his. The second our hands touch, all I can think about is how warm his palm is. How strong. How dangerous. And yet how… thrilling.

Dante pulls me to my feet, then lets me go. I feel instantly colder without his touch.

“Matteo. Here.” He hands him the camcorder. “Make sure it’s recording.”

“Why not just use a phone?” Finn mutters.

“Because this will make it harder for them to track where we are. And it’s more theatrical. Don’t question me.”

Finn looks like he has more to say but Aiden nudges him and subtly shakes his head. Finn doesn’t say another word.

Matteo points the camera right at me. “What do you want me to do, boss?”

“Just keep recording. Don’t lower it.” Dante stands right beside me, his breath tickling my cheek, his chest intimidatingly large. Right now, I feel no bigger than a mouse.

The lion has come to play with me.

Dante takes my chin in his hand. It’s not gentle but it’s not rough either. “Look at this face. Isn’t it beautiful? What do you think… Erik? Anya?” He smiles at the camera as he holds my face in his hand. “Does it drive you both insane wondering what I’m doing to her? What I’ll do to her in the future? Tomorrow? The day after that? And the day after that?”

Aiden and Finn stand behind Matteo, watching everything with rapt attention .

“What would happen if I hurt her? Maybe I already have? You don’t know. Nadia, do you want to tell them what the past twenty-four hours have been like for you?” He lets go of my face.

“No,” I whisper.

“Come on, Nadia. Stay strong for your sister. Do you really want her to see you so scared?”

A flare of anger courses through me. It’s one thing to hurt me; it’s another to hurt my sister. She has protected me all my life but it’s my duty to protect her now.

Fighting back tears, I lift my chin up high and stare the camera down. “Anya, he hasn’t hit me. Don’t worry. I wouldn’t lie about that.”

“See? I’m not a complete and utter monster. Go on.”

I don’t dare look at Dante as I talk to the camera. “I’m in a basement. It’s cold. But I was given food. They don’t want me dead. He just wants to hurt you and Erik and Father.”

“That’s right,” Dante growls, moving to stand behind me. His hands press into my shoulders, claiming me before the camera. “Though I am curious. I know you must be terrified watching this video, Anya. And as for you, Erik, I’m sure you’re getting more and more angry as you watch this. But I have a question for Sergei. How does karma feel?”

“Karma?” I ask.

“You don’t know?” I can feel his gaze boring into the side of my face. “Your father kidnapped a friend of mine. Her name is Aria. She’s like a daughter to me.”

I duck my head. I know exactly what he’s talking about. Erik and Anya told me all about that after it happened. I know the crimes of my father.

“Or did you know?” Dante asks in a low voice. “Because if you knew, Nadia, then that makes you not as innocent as I once thought. So, did you know?”

“I knew. But only after it happened. Not before.”

“Of course. Your father liked to keep you in the dark, I’m sure.” He turns back to the camera. “So, Sergei, how does it feel knowing I kidnapped your daughter? Are you angry? Sad? Going mad?” He chuckles at his own rhyme. “Or do you even care? I’ve heard rumors about you and your daughters. I know Nadia moved in with Erik and Anya soon after I went into hiding. Why was that? Why would Nadia leave her own father?”

Dante tilts my chin towards him. I try to avert my gaze for as long as I can but it’s impossible. I have to look at him. “Why did you leave your father?”

I could tell Dante about the abuse my father did to me and Anya but it feels wrong sharing that with him. Too vulnerable. Too personal. Too intimate .

“Well, Nadia? Answer the question.” He skims the backs of his fingers down my cheek. “I want to know what’s going on inside that brain of yours.”

And that’s exactly why I can’t tell Dante. I might not have much power – if any – in this situation but I’m determined to hold onto as much power as I can get. Dante wants this information out of me.

Maybe I can use this to my advantage.

“I’ll tell you. But you have to get me out of this basement.”

He tsks and gently taps my cheek. “No. That’s not how this works. You tell me what I want to hear.”

“No.”

“No?”

“Yes. No. I don’t have to share anything with you. You can’t force me.”

He presses his forehead to mine – his lips so close to mine. “Who says I can’t force you?”

I tremble, showing my fear. Dante sees it. He smiles.

“I will tell you if you get me out of this basement and let me stay somewhere warmer.”

“No.”

“At least give me a blanket. It’s so cold in here. I shivered all night long.”

Dante’s eyes soften just the tiniest bit before they snap back to their normal anger. “You deserve to be cold. You belong to Erik and Anya’s family. That means you deserve to be punished.”

“No,” I say softly. “I don’t think you believe that.”

He jerks back, letting me go, and moving out of frame of the camera. “This isn’t how this works, Nadia.”

“Unless you’re going to hit me, I will not tell you anything about myself. Or you can give me a blanket and I will tell you why I went to live with my sister.”

Dante steps back into frame and smiles at the camera. “You hear that, Anya? Your sister is quite brave. Smart. I thought she was just a shy little doe but it seems she has a brain on her. Maybe she has a bit of a predator within her. You should be so proud. I’m going to rip all of that bravery from her though until she’s a shell of her former self. This might be the last time you ever see Nadia the way you know her.”

He turns to me so quickly and rips the other arm of my dress off. I gasp.

“What are you doing?”

“I am showing that I am not a man to be bargained with. I want your family to suffer. And seeing you in pain will do that to them. Finn, bring me the scissors.”

My entire body tenses. Fight or flight… or freeze.

“For what?” I whisper.

“You’ll see.” He wiggles his fingers at the camera. “Everyone will see. Unless you want to tell me why you moved in with Anya and left your father behind. It’s your choice, Nadia.”

He says it’s my choice but it’s not my choice at all.

Matteo is still recording. Whenever Dante sends this video to Anya, she’ll see me in it. She’ll hear my response. I know she’ll be hurt seeing anything happen to me so I need to be brave for her.

“No,” I say loud and clear. If I look shy and scared, it will only make Anya more worried. She thought about me when I was stuck at home with our father after she married Erik. It’s my time to think about her.

“Fine then.”

Finn hands Dante a pair of scissors. They glint in the sunlight coming in through the little window, showcasing their sharpness. Their deadliness.

“Last chance, Nadia,” he warns, holding the scissors up.

“No. I won’t tell you anything.”

“Then so be it.” He grabs a lock of my hair. “I’ll be honest. You have beautiful hair. It’s a shame to have to cut it.” He snips off a piece and lets it fall to the floor.

I tremble harder. It’s just hair, I remind myself. It means nothing. It will grow back.

“No?” he says. When I stay silent, he cuts off another lock of my hair. “How many pieces of hair do I have to cut off to get you to talk?”

“You can make me bald for all I care.”

“No,” he growls. “You do care. I hear it in your voice.” His lips are right by my ear. It’s somehow both terrifying and erotic at the same time. “You don’t want me to cut it all off. Why not just tell me? Why are you making this so hard on yourself?”

“Because it’s what Anya would do.”

He rocks back on his heels with a large smile. “There it is. You’re doing this for your sister. Channeling her, I see. I remember Anya. The few times we spoke all those years ago, I remember her being such a spitfire. I could see why Erik liked her. I like this look on you, Nadia. Bravery. But bravery is stupid.” He cuts off another piece of hair.

“I can stop,” he offers. “Before it gets too far. Or do I have to actually make you bald? ”

“If you make me bald, then you have nothing to threaten me with.”

“Good point.” He taps the scissors against his leg. Tap, tap, tap. “But then I’ll know how far you’re willing to go. How far you’re willing to stand up against me in the name of your sister. You have a special bond, her and you. Why is that?”

“We’re sisters.”

“I was an only child, so I wouldn’t know. Aiden? Finn? Do you two have a special bond?”

Aiden scoffs. “He’s my brother but he drives me fucking nuts.”

“I would die for my brother but he also drives me up a fucking wall.”

Dante turns back to me. “Would you die for Anya?”

I don’t hesitate to answer. “Yes.”

I can feel Dante’s eyes on me. What do they show? Shock? Doubt? Amazement? Or just plain stoicism? I refuse to look. I won’t give Dante the satisfaction.

He places the scissors against my throat, making me gasp and tense up. Even Matteo shifts on his feet, looking uncertain. “Dante?” he asks.

“Just keep filming,” Dante hisses at him. “If I were to cut your throat right now, beautiful Nadia, how would that make you feel? Knowing that your sister will be terribly sad without you?”

“Anya is strong. She has Erik. She’ll be fine.”

“You don’t think she’ll miss you?”

“I know she will.” There’s no point in lying about it. Dante clearly knows Anya and I love each other. “But at least if I’m dead, she can mourn me. Whereas, if I’m being held hostage by you, she’ll never stop looking. It will hurt her more that I’m alive and that she can’t save me.”

“So, you’re saying I shouldn’t kill you right now?” He taps the cold scissors against my skin. I can’t help but flinch. So much for bravery.

“You will do whatever you want. But I know you don’t want me dead.” I force myself to look right into his eye. “And if I’m dead, you can never learn my secrets.”

Dante’s eyes narrow. “Good girl.” He pulls the scissors away and tosses them at Finn, who catches them without flinching. Fast reflexes, I notice. That’s something I don’t have.

“You’re right,” Dante continues. “If you’re dead, then I’ll never know what goes on in that beautiful brain of yours. ”

It’s not the first time Dante has called me beautiful. I’m not sure if he actually thinks it or if he’s just trying to disarm me. One thing I know for sure is that he hates me and my family. I don’t think my looks are going to save me at all.

“So, fine. I’ll take you up on your deal. I’ll give you a blanket if you tell me why you left your father behind and moved in with Anya.”

I open my mouth to speak, then quickly snap it shut. “I want to see the blanket first.”

A slow smile spreads across his face. “You think I’d cheat?”

“You did kidnap me. It stands to reason.”

Dante nods knowingly while chuckling to himself. “Ok then. Aiden, go grab a blanket.”

Without question, Aiden does as he’s told. Dante and I stare at each other as Aiden leaves the basement and comes back a few moments later with a blanket. It’s light blue, thin looking, but it will help to ward off the chill in the basement. At least, I hope it will.

“There’s your blanket.” Dante takes it and holds it up for the camera. “Let the record show that I held up my part of the bargain.” He drapes the blanket over my shoulders. “There. Now tell me.”

I clutch the blanket around me. For once, I have some sort of protection over my wedding dress. It’s not much but it’s something.

My breath is shaky as I inhale. Talking about my father has never been easy for me. In fact, I think the only person I’ve ever spoken to about him is with Anya. Erik knows what our father did to both of us but that was because Anya told him. I’ve never shared these secrets with any man before.

“My father isn’t a good man.”

Dante waves his hand dismissively. “He’s in the Bratva. Even I knew that. Don’t tell me I bargained with you just for you to tell me that.”

“No. What I mean is that my father wasn’t good… to Anya or to me. He would…” I bite my lip. Here it is. My secret. My pain. My vulnerability. “He would beat Anya.” It comes out as a whisper that makes tears release from my eyes.

“He was abusive, you mean.”

I nod as I cry. Whenever Anya sees this video, I know this moment will pain her the most. Seeing me break down. Seeing me lose my strength.

I’m sorry, Anya , is all I can think . I tried to stay strong for you .

“He would hit her and hit her and she would take it. For me. So I didn’t have to experience it. She’s so much stronger than I am. I’m weak,” I sob, buckling forward. Shame fills me. All I needed to do was stay brave for my sister and I couldn’t even do that.

“What happened after Anya married Erik? When you were left alone with your father?”

I suck in a breath and stand up straight. “I told you everything.”

“No, you didn’t.” He’s standing right beside me, breathing against me, practically holding me. I want to be held right now. Comforted. But Dante is the last person to do that. “You’re keeping something from me. Tell me.”

I hold the blanket tighter to my body; my nails dig into the fabric. “He hit me too.”

Dante tenses beside me. “How did it feel?”

“It hurt.”

“No. I mean, how did it feel to have your father betray you like that?”

“It hurt so much more than his hand did. I wasn’t safe there. He kept me from Anya. He wanted to torture her. And I think he wanted to torture me.”

“I’m curious. Why does he hate you and Anya so much? Or is that something I have to ask him?” Dante turns to the camera. “Sergei, when you watch this, I want you to send me a reply. Tell me why you hate your daughters. I’m fascinated.”

“I-,” I start to say, then clamp my lips shut.

That was a mistake, I know it.

Dante pushes a piece of my hair behind my ear. Fortunately, he didn’t cut off much. Most of it is still intact. “What, Nadia? What are you not telling me?”

“No. I won’t tell you everything. I’ll only tell you more if you get me out of this basement.”

“You ask for too much,” he growls.

“Or I ask for too little. I could ask you to release me, you know. But I haven’t.”

“Because you’re not na?ve. You know I will never let you go.” His hand remains on my cheek, his thumb swiping over my tears. It’s almost like an action of a lover. Not the action of my captor. “Tell me.”

“No. Give me something in return.”

“I already gave you a blanket.”

“That’s not kindness. You are an evil man.”

He cups his hand around the back of my head. “I can give you something in return.”

He kisses me .

It happens so suddenly, I can’t even react. But Dante doesn’t pull away. He only presses into me further. His lips fight against mine until I have no choice but to gasp and let him in.

He deepens the kiss as his arms wrap around me, pulling me flush against him. I’ve never been kissed before. I’m not sure if I’m good or terrible at it.

None of that matters though because Dante’s opinion doesn’t matter. He’s my enemy. I hate him.

And yet… our kiss doesn’t disgust me. Not at all.

It honestly feels good to be held. To feel desired. To feel wanted.

And then it’s all over.

Dante steps back, looking down at me with an expression I can’t make out. It’s not smug, nor is it disgust. It’s… fear? I don’t understand it.

Finn’s laughter breaks through our moment and Dante turns to him with a snarl. “Get out. Both of you,” he says to the brothers.

Aiden starts heading for the stairs but it’s Finn who hesitates.

“Get out,” Dante growls.

Finn makes a face but does as he’s told. Once he and Aiden are gone, it’s just me, Dante, and Matteo left.

And the camera.

Dante pushes my hair away from my face. “You’re a good kisser. I’ll give you that. Are you lying when you say you haven’t been with anyone before?”

“Never. My first kiss was reserved for my husband. You just stole it from me.”

“Ah. So that kiss was meant for Viktor. Well, sorry about that,” he says to the camera, acting nonchalant. “She’s not yours anymore, Viktor. You sided with the wrong family. You chose to be an ally with Erik and now this is your punishment. Me stealing your bride away. Now, Nadia, tell me your last secret. Why does your father hate you so much?”

“No. I will not tell you. If you’re desperate to know, you can ask my father.” The pride I feel for myself is like nothing I’ve ever felt. I hope when Anya watches this, she can at least smile at what I’ve done.

Dante makes a small sound in the back of his throat. “I’ll ask him one day. When I go to kill him. Turn the camera off. We’re done here.” He storms out of the basement without another word.

Matteo silently closes the camcorder and follows.

At least I have a blanket to keep me company now.