Page 39 of Cain

He walks closer, fearlessly, until the blade grazes his throat. “Do it.”

“What?”

“My life is in your hands now.” His fingers slowly trace my bare thigh, going higher. “Do you feel the power, little rose?”

“You’re insane! You killed your brother!”

“And I’d do it again in a heartbeat. I killed him with my own hands.” He leans closer, pressing the blade deeper into his throat. “I chopped off his head and buried it in my garden,” he says, his hand settling on my waist, gripping me tightly, causing a faint gasp to escape my lips.

“Why?” I breathe, unable to comprehend.

“Because his monstrous actions are what created the monster in me.” His fingers brush the ends of my hair, removing it from my face.

“Stay back!”

“Or what?”

My breathing rate increases, and I am shaking in fear. I can’t control it anymore. I need to go away. And I must do it now. Why can’t I just kill him?

Determined, I shove him and slap him hard. More violently than the other time. His jaw twitches, and his eyes darken with fury. He’s furious, and I know I’m doomed.

I try to flee, but his hand clamps tightly around my wrist. I raise the knife and slash his forearm until it bleeds. He doesn’t even scrunch his face. Fear grips me.

He grabs my face, immobilizing me, and tries to take the knife in his hand.

“You can’t hurt me, little rose.”

I battle to keep the blade, but he’s too strong. Suddenly, a sharp pain shoots through my thigh.

“Ah!”

“You never cease to impress me,” he murmurs, almost in admiration.

“You are a monster,” I hiss through clenched teeth, my eyes betraying me as they fill with tears. “Let me go!”

“You’re mine, sweetheart. Whether you surrender or make me take you,” he growls, his voice low and possessive. “Every emotion of yours, every tear, every smile, belongs to me.”

“YOU fucking cut ME!”

“You should’ve let go.”

“Shut up!” I scream and yank myself in an attempt to break free. “Let me go!” I strike a powerful knee tackle to his crotch, causing him to gasp in pain.

Here it is. Here is my chance.

As he’s bent and in pain, I find my opportunity and bolt outside the bedroom. I have to hide. But where?

“Run as much as you want, Katerina. This is my territory,” he howls, his voice making my skin crawl. And just like that, the security system locks all the doors. Is it already midnight?

I need to act fast and competent. I need to be innovative. Smarter than him. I run towards the kitchen to grab another knife to protect myself. He said he didn’t want to kill me, but what about now?

“Come back to me, ružicko.” His voice sounds faded, as if I’ve moved farther away from him. I rush to the kitchen and yank at the drawers, searching for a knife. Damn it! They’re locked, too! Now what?!

“There you are!” he exclaims. He prowls slowly like a predator, taking off his leather belt and placing the knife between his teeth. His smirk … so dark. So sinister. How can someone so gorgeous look so twisted?

“What do you want?”

He locks his gaze on mine, holding the knife again. “You. All of you. And if I catch you, you’re mine.”