Page 56 of Claim Me (Dmitriyev Bratva #2)

M arissa

“Help me! Please. Someone. Anyone. Help… me.” The last two words trailed off and I closed my eyes. My throat remained scratchy from screaming to no avail.

No one was coming to save me.

Shivering, I dragged my tongue across my lips to try to keep them moist.

Freezing.

I was freezing, my toes already numb. Even though I was continuously bending my fingers, the tips were already stiff from the cold.

The moment I shifted, pain blasted through my arms and legs from the tight metal shackles biting into my wrists and ankles.

At least the agony gave testimony that I was still alive.

For how long I didn’t know.

The despair was much worse than the cold. In my mind, I continued to call out to Kazimir, praying he would find me. Sadly, something told me deep down inside it was already too late.

Blanketed in darkness, only a tiny slender string of light coming in from a window at least fifteen feet away allowed my vision to adapt to the stark shadows. What few objects surrounded me were misshapen, yet every time I blinked, I could swear they were moving. Monsters waiting in the shadows.

Whimpering, I endured another flash of agony while trying to lift my bare feet from the floor. Memories and images were fleeting, what little I remembered terrifying.

I’d been drugged by the roses, kidnapped by Joseph. The last thing I remembered was being shoved into the trunk of a car.

Tears slipped down both cheeks, feeling as if they were freezing on contact. I hated being so weak both mentally and physically. There was no way of knowing how long I’d been here. There was no food, no water. Just the cold and darkness.

A racking sob left my chest and even though I’d suffered from the actions, I struggled with the bindings.

As exhaustion took hold, I slumped against a cold wall, doing my best to curl into a tight ball.

With my knees bent, my arms wrapped around my legs, I continued to sob as I thought about the brooding and handsome Russian.

I’d told him how I felt. Had it mattered to him?

His expression hadn’t changed, still hard and chiseled after my admittance. Yet I’d seen emotion in his eyes. Or was it just wishful thinking?

Another sob broke the eerie silence, although I could hear something crawling only a few feet away from me. My mind played tricks, leaving me seeing images of rats and snakes.

Why had I insisted on playing the concert? Why hadn’t I listened to Kazimir?

The ache continued and I started to sway, my thoughts never leaving him. He’d become my rock even though I’d done everything in my power to keep him at arm’s length. The truth was that I’d tried my entire life not to be a burden to anyone. After a few years, my people skills sucked.

And why? Because I was afraid to admit I needed help to anyone.

With Kazimir bulldozing his way in, I’d felt suffocated. What I wouldn’t give to have his massive arms around me, holding me tightly against him as he assured me that everything was going to be alright.

Another tear fell and I blinked several times, almost able to hear the deep thrumming of his voice. I’d never told him that the sensations from his bass vibrato thrilled me every time he spoke.

There were so many things I’d been hesitant to tell him, including just how grateful I was for his protection. I was so tired, so very tired. Yawning, I almost felt a tickle of his hot breath against my neck just as he whispered lurid words.

“I can’t wait to fuck you, my perfect virtuoso. You’re all mine.”

I just needed to sleep. Maybe this was nothing more than a bad dream.

“You’re very special. Do you know how sweet your pussy tastes?”

“No,” I whispered back. “Tell me.”

“Like sweet cherries in the springtime.”

A soft laugh pushed past my lips. “You’re such a bad man.”

Boom!

My eyes flew open from hearing the loud noise. Another shiver tore through me. Had I really heard a sound? “Help me!”

Seconds ticked by. There was no other noise.

“Is anyone there?” My voice was strained from tears and terror, yet I wasn’t ready to give up just yet. I was a fighter. I’d fought through hell before and I would do it again. My life was worth something and I refused to give up or give in.

Heavy footsteps forced me to suck in my breath.

I wasn’t a religious girl, yet I prayed Kazimir had found me. I held my breath as the footsteps drew closer.

Then there was nothing but the horrible sounds of crickets and something slithering across the floor.

Boom.

The door was flung open, slammed against the wall. Light from behind the large person illuminated his broad shoulders.

Wincing, I bit my lower lip because I knew it wasn’t Kazimir. I knew his sultry scent, the exotic spices and citrus exciting. The smell of the person was decidedly different.

Like pure evil.

As soon as a light was turned on, I shielded my eyes.

Until he laughed.

“My beautiful fiancée. I thought we should spend some time together since we’ll be married by this time tomorrow. What’s wrong with a little taste of what belongs to me?”

I stared at Rurik, the ugly Russian glaring down at me with lust in his eyes. Repulsion rushed through my mind and I shrank back as much as possible.

He took his time gazing from my eyes downward, the bulge between his legs thickening. Disgust rushed up from my throat, bile filling my mouth.

“You can’t keep me. Kazimir will find me.” I took a quick look at my surroundings. I was in a bedroom of some kind, only the bed had been stripped to a cot with a thin mattress. One window and one door. The only other thing in the room was a dresser several feet away. Where was I?

His laugh boomed as he took two steps closer. “Sadly, that’s not going to happen.”

“You don’t know him and his family. They will burn down this city to find me.”

“No, they won’t. I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this, but they’re dead.”

What did he say?

“That’s not possible.”

He cocked his head and took another step closer. “Fortunately, it is. They died in a fire. Maybe I should say they fried in a fire.”

No. No. No!

That wasn’t possible. He wouldn’t leave me here. He couldn’t… die.

The tears continued to flow, the images of Kazimir’s face rocking through my mind.

There was no way he was dead. None. I’d knew he’d walk through fire.

I felt it deep inside. He was my protector.

He was my rock, a man who’d already risked so much to keep me safe.

No one could hurt him. That just wasn’t possible.

Rurik’s face twisted as his expression turned to perverse joy.

“You fucking asshole.”

“Yes, I am. Soon, I’ll be your husband. The joys of teaching you to obey me will be spectacular.”

As he laughed, I threw myself at him, ignoring the anguish. I managed to claw his face, almost able to drive my fingers into his eyes.

He stumbled backward, spewing Russian as his entire face twisted from rage.

“That wasn’t very ladylike.”

“I’m not interested in being a lady. Not around you.” As he lunged for me again, I continued punching and scratching.

Seconds later, he’d finally had enough, leaning back and smashing his fist against my face.

The pain was blinding, stars floating in front of my eyes. I was knocked onto the mattress, completely dazed.

“You’re such a little bitch. Aren’t you?” He wrestled with me, trying to pry my legs apart. I kicked and tried to fight him only to be struck again.

This time, my ears were ringing, yet I could still hear Kazimir’s voice telling me everything was going to be okay.

“I need to remove your ankle bracelets. You be a good girl for me and I won’t hurt you.”

I could barely hear him, the words muddled, but I knew the intent. He was going to rape me.

Blinking, I choked on my own saliva, tasting blood from when I’d bitten my tongue. “Kazimir,” I managed, only to be laughed at.

“No one is coming to save you, princess. Don’t think you can escape. I have six men waiting outside. They will hunt you down like a dog. I suggest you accept your fate. I’ll take it nice and slow.”

Something inside me wanted to continue fighting. I was so lost, so angry, and I’d never felt so helpless. Yet I refused to allow this to happen without doing everything I could to fight him. As soon as the pressure was relieved from my leg, I kicked him with the last strength I had.

His laugh echoed in my ears.

“That will cost you, princess.” He pushed me down, wrapping one hand around my throat as he yanked my legs apart with the other.

“No. No.” I tried to struggle, but he was too big and powerful. The moment he ripped away my thong, I issued a strangled cry.

His laugh continued, as deep and evil as the man.

As he squeezed my neck, the feeling of utter suffocation washed through me and another series of lights shifted in front of my eyes. Soon, there was nothing but a heavy haze, but I could still see Kazimir’s face.

The will to live remained strong. I used the last of my strength as Rurik wrenched my legs free to call our Kazimir’s name one last time.

Pop! Pop! Pop!

Rurik growled. “What the fuck.”

A rush of air caught me off guard, the pressure lifted.

Suddenly, I could breathe.

Boom!

A horrible crash pounded in my ears. I blinked furiously as I heard noises. Muffled voices. What was I hearing?

The intense roar was unmistakable. Someone else was here.

“Fucking hold him. I’m not finished yet.”

The voice. The voice… Kazimir. Blinking several times, I tried to lift my head, but the pain was unbearable.

Wham!

Thud.

Every noise was brutal, grunts and groans deep and guttural.

Suddenly, there was silence.

Two more sounds of gunfire.

I jerked my legs together, turning onto my side as I cinched my eyes shut. What was happening?

“Kazimir,” I managed.

“Hey, baby girl,” a soft voice said, breath brushing across my cheek like a soft feather. “You’re okay. I’m going to take the handcuffs off now. Okay?”

“Kazimir?” I whispered again, finally opening my eyes and staring into the most beautiful pair of them I’d ever seen. “It’s really you?”