Page 16

Natasa

I shiver as I lie here in the cold room. I don’t know why Clark likes to keep it so cold in here but he does. I sink under the blankets and rest my hand on my stomach.

“I won’t let him hurt you. I will die first,” I whisper to my unborn child. I’ve been thinking about it the last few days, what I would do to keep this baby safe. Anything. That’s the only answer I can come up with. I would do anything. I will fight, claw, kick, stab. I will do whatever I have to do to keep my child safe.

Clark has kept his distance for the last few days. I’m not sure what he’s planning or what he’s going to do. I just know I need to get out of here. I don’t know how, though. There’s no way I can run from him. There’s no way out, and the thought eats me alive.

I roll over on my side and curl into myself when the door opens. I don’t bother sitting up because fuck him. I won’t be a puppet for him anymore. On the one hand, I want to follow his rules so he doesn’t hurt the baby, but on the other hand, I want to act out and test his patience.

“Are you rested?”

“It’s cold in here.”

“It’s the perfect temperature, Natasa. Why must you always complain?”

“I’m going to get sick.”

“You didn’t get sick before. Don’t be so dramatic. Besides, I have a surprise for you.” My stomach turns over. His surprises are never good. “Get up.” I sit up slowly but keep the blanket tugged around me.

“Move the blanket, Natasa,” he demands. I swallow hard, knowing the only thing defying him will do is get me hurt. So I drop the blanket and reveal my naked body to him. He took my clothes last night. Left me with nothing but the blanket to keep me warm.

His eyes move over me, taking me in, but they stop on my stomach.

“That should have been mine in there. If things were different it would have been.”

“I’d never have a child with you,” I snap at him.

“You don’t think so? After this bastard is born, I plan on putting one of my own inside you. I wasn’t ready for that before, but I think I am now. You’d be a great mother, and I would make a great father.”

“You’re sick.”

“I don’t think so. We’ll be building our empire, Natasa. Making a family.”

“I don’t want anything to do with that.”

“That means nothing. You’ll be on board, or I will sell that baby you’re carrying. I’m sure it would make a pretty penny.” He smirks at me. He would do it. He’s that disgusting and insane.

“You touch my baby, and I will kill you.” Now he laughs. He fucking laughs because he knows that right now, there’s nothing I can do to him. I’m at his mercy.

“Now, Natasa. I’ve been gracious so far, haven’t I? I haven’t allowed anyone else to use that pussy of yours. I haven’t allowed anyone to touch you.”

“You make me sick, Clark. I hate you.”

“You will learn to love me, Natasa. In time, just like before.”

“Are you insane? I’ve never loved you. Never.”

“There was a time long ago when you thought the world of me,” he reminisces.

“Before I knew how sick you were.”

“Stand up, Natasa.” Slowly, I shove myself to my feet as he stalks closer to me. I step back only to hit the edge of the bed. He smirks as he reaches out and runs his fingers over my breasts. I want to cringe away, but I know that wouldn’t do me any good. Instead, I close my eyes and let him do it. I let him touch me while in the back of my head, telling myself it’s to keep the baby safe.

His fingers move lower and slower as he drags them over my stomach and down to my pussy. He cups it in his hand as bile burns the back of my throat. I don’t want him touching me. I wish Gunner were here.

“You’re going to your surprise with my cum leaking down your thighs.” Now, I do cringe. He hasn’t touched me in days, and now he’s ready. It makes me sick to think about him being inside me, but what can I do? If I fight, I might hurt the baby, and I can’t risk that.

Clark turns me around and pushes me forward. I plant my hands on the bed, fisting the sheet as I feel him move in closer. Tears fall down my cheeks as he thrusts into me. I sob, but he doesn’t care. He keeps going, and all I can think about is Gunner. How I wished it was him. How I wished he was here, taking me away from all of this. It’s my fault. I should have told him about Clark. I should have told him about my life, but I didn’t. I didn’t want to see the look on his face. I didn’t want him to look at me differently.

So, I kept it to myself, and that was my mistake. I caused this. Had Gunner known, maybe he could have looked for me. And Rick? More tears fall as I think about Rick lying there. I couldn’t move to help him. I couldn’t think or breathe. I feel like I betrayed him, too.

Cries fall from me until Clark is finished. When he’s done, he pulls out of me and stands me back up, turning me to face him.

“I will leave your clothes by the door. You do not clean yourself up.” I nod, knowing there’s no way around this. I feel sick. Worse than sick. I don’t know how I’m going to do this. How am I going to survive this?

I watch Clark walk out of the room before I sob harder. But then I remember. I can be stronger than this. I can. I know I can. I’ve made it this far in life, so why can’t I handle this if it means my baby will be okay? I lower my hand to my stomach and rub the small bump there.

“I’ll keep you safe. No matter what it costs me.”

I take a deep breath and walk to the door, opening it just enough to get the clothes Clark left for me. I pull them inside and quickly put them on before heading out of the room.

I move down the hallway and down the stairs to find him by the door. I’m confused, but I keep walking. Once I’m down the steps, he offers me a coat, which I gladly take. I shove my arms into it and enjoy the slight warmth.

“I expect you to act accordingly.”

“Where are we going?”

“It doesn’t matter. You’re going to be on your best behavior, Natasa, or I promise I’ll make your life a living hell.” I don’t know what he has planned for me or why we have to leave the house, but I’m nervous. I nod my head anyway and follow him out the door and to the car. We both climb in before it takes off, and I watch out the window.