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CHAPTER 14

ANASTASIA

My stomach twists at the realization.

He’s the son of that monster.

But what I’ve gathered from the whispers at the mansion, Ivan’s children revolted and left years ago.

Does that mean Mikhail might not be like Ivan?

He certainly doesn’t seem to be.

And Mikhail is the only person I’ve heard of that has outsmarted Ivan. Beat him at his own game several times.

Big, strong, with sexy brown eyes.

And that grip he had on my hip, grinding himself against me, I know he wants me.

Maybe I’ve found the perfect person to protect me after all? He’s taken care of me for years, kept me and mom safe and comfortable.

The last few weeks of terror at Ivan’s house were a hard lesson that there are truly evil men out there who will take anything they want, with no concern of who they hurt.

I don’t want to be alone.

With Mom gone now…

Fuck. I’ll regret my last words to her forever. I should have listened and never snuck out. I didn’t really understand the threat that she, and Mikhail, protected me from.

Papa trusted Mikhail.

I should too.

There’s a piece of me that worries about him spying on Ivan. What if something happens to him? I believe Mikhail when he says that Ivan won’t let me go without punishment next time.

A shiver runs through my body at the memory of Ivan’s touch.

I don’t want him to ever get close to me again.

Especially not that way.

The idea of that nasty old man being my first experience makes me want to vomit.

No. I’d die before that happens.

I just wish I knew what Mikhail’s face looked like beneath that mask.

It makes me wonder if he’s gorgeous, or hideous?

If he’s ugly, will that change my mind? I think I should just go for it, get it over with before we leave for America.

Who is it that he wants me to meet in Vegas? Is he setting me up with someone else?

That idea scares the crap out of me. He could be sending me off to an even worse person than Ivan.

There’s only one option. And it will probably hurt like hell.

Fuck it. I might die tomorrow.

I don’t want to go out a virgin.