Page 17

"You will smile." He raises his hand to my face, one finger dragging the corner of my mouth up, "and you will look happy like the bride you are today. You do that, and no one has to die," he pauses, his face closer until his mouth is but a breath away from mine, "for now."

I can't believe the gall of him. He's looking at me as if he's already won this game. As if he knows I'll obey him. Hell, I see the twitch in his cheek, a dimple threatening to form as he tries his hardest not to proclaim victory just yet.

A smile curves on my own lips as I play along for the briefest moment. Opening my mouth, I capture his finger and I bite.

Hard.

Well, as hard as I can.

And he's not even reacting.

"Sisi, Sisi," he chides, "my dear Sisi, I can see the wheels turning in your head, trying to find an exit. Trust me, there's none. Now, I didn't want to do this," he sighs dramatically, "but it seems I must."

I frown, his theatrics already tiring me out.

"You either marry me now, or I'll be forced to do something more… drastic. Like, say, detonate a bomb at your house. Why, your brother and his family as well as your sister must already be back there…"

My eyes widen just as his lips pull up into a smile.

"You wouldn't…"

"Oh, but I would," he replies, that faux charm dripping off his words.

And just like that, he's back to the Vlad I know. The unfeeling, I take what I want Vlad, that seems to have gotten it into his head that he will marry me.

And I know he will make true on his threat.

"So be it," I reply, schooling my own features into a mask of indifference.

Because he might threaten my family, and he might think this is just a game. But I don't plan on giving in to him—ever again.I might sign my name on that marriage certificate, but that's all he's getting from me.

I don't even wait for his reply as I extricate myself from his hold, going to the officiant and doing exactly what Vlad instructed—smile, say yes, and sign the damned paper.

"I wish you all the best, Mr. and Mrs. Kuznetsov," the man says as he leaves, distress written all over his features.

And then we're alone.

There's maybe one foot of distance between the two of us. We're both staring at the other, our breaths coming in short spurts.

He looks on the verge of an attack, and I have to force myself not to flee, the memory of his last episode still fresh in my mind—and on my body.

My gaze moves over him in what I'd call my first thorough perusal, since seeing him again.

He's wearing a suit as always. Navy with white stripes, the molded material does nothing to distract from his thick thighs or his powerful arms. No, on the contrary, it only serves to emphasize his muscled limbs further, and for a moment I have to wonder if he hasn't indeed bulked up even more.

His neck is strained, veins protruding as he tries to regulate his breathing, his eyes set on me—unmoving.

He's seen his prey and he's ready to pounce. And just like that my feet are ready to carry me away from him too.

The tension is thick, the awareness even worse as I feel my body respond to his proximity.

You'd think that after almost being ravished to death I'd have no desire to try my luck a second time, but as we seem to find a rhythm in our breaths, emulating one another, I find that my body doesn't like to listen.

It's already primed for more—for violence, for blood and destruction.

And I hate it.

I despise that he calls to that primal part of me that I'd tried my entire life to bury. I hate that even though my mind knows him to be facetious and a betrayer, my body fails to recognize the danger he presents to my entire being.

"Why did you bring me here, Vlad? What game are you playing now?" I ask, narrowing my eyes at him.

He's so tense I see the outline of his muscles through the material of his suit. His eyes don't leave mine as he takes a step forward. And another.

And so I take one back.

"Are you bored? Is that it?" I ask, backing further into the room.

I wish I wouldn't be so intimidated by him, but his mere presence dwarfs everything around him.

"Vlad!" I snap, raising my voice. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

"What the hell is wrong with me?" He's in front of me before I can even blink. "What do you think is wrong with me, Sisi?" He smirks at me, his hand reaching out to grab my hair, unraveling my updo until the strands fall down my shoulders.

"Don't touch me." I swat his hand aside.

"Oh, come on, hell girl, you can't tell me you haven't missed my touch," he drawls, his suave voice affecting me even as I try to remain stoic.

"No. I can't say I have," I reply drily, seeking to avoid his roving hands.

"Liar," he whispers, leaning closer to inhale my scent.

"You don't fool me, Sisi. I can feel the way your body yearns for mine.

" His finger trails down the bodice of my dress, and while it might make me a tiny bit breathless, it doesn't erase the fact that I'm dealing with an android disguised as a human.

Catching his finger, I fling it off of my body.

"I said don't touch me, Vlad. I mean it.

You may have threatened my family to get me to sign my name on that marriage certificate, but you lost your chance long ago," I tell him, my tone serious.

"What happened? Got bored and decided to play with the poor nun again?

Is that it?" I try my best to keep my voice under control, but his mere presence combined with his audacity make me want to get in his face.

"Sisi, you're breaking my heart," he jokes, taking my palm and fitting it over his chest. "See how it's beating for you?" he asks smoothly, a smile curving up.

For a moment–a very short yet embarrassing moment–I find myself feeling for his heart and trying to understand its beats. But it's just a moment before I recognize my own weakness and I push against him.

"You're insane." I shake my head, convinced he must have had some mental breakdown.

Why is he behaving like nothing happened? Like he didn't use and discard me just a while ago?

"Yes." He gathers me so close to him, our faces are barely apart. "I'm certifiably insane. And it's only because I've been without you for so long." He nuzzles his face in my hair, the gesture so incomprehensible I can only stay as still as a statue, trying to understand who this man is.

Because he's not the Vlad I know.

"Get off of me," I say through gritted teeth, the proximity killing me softly.

If this isn't the worst type of punishment, then I don't know what is… being taunted with the one thing you've ever wanted only for it to be wrenched away from you at the last moment.

I won't fall for the same trick twice, though.

"No," he answers matter-of-factly. His big hand splayed over my nape, he holds me close to him, his arm circling my back, so he has me flush against his body.

His mouth hovers over my face as he breathes me in, his eyes closed as if he's relishing the flavor.

"I'm never letting you go, hell girl," he rasps, his eyes open, dark and fearsome as they stare at me with unwavering conviction. "Never again," he says right before his mouth descends on mine, his kiss bruising as he tries to coax my lips open with his tongue.

Flexing my arms, I try to escape the cage he has me in, but he's too strong to even let me budge. No matter how much I struggle to get out of his grasp, it's in vain. If anything, his arms tighten even more around me as he forces me to return the kiss.

I keep my mouth shut, my lips firmly sealed as I deny him even the smallest opening.

"Open your mouth," he commands against my lips, but I just give a small shake of my head, my hands trapped between us as I keep pushing against his chest.

But when nothing works, I realize I need to change strategies. I let my body become slack against his. No more resistance, but no reaction either.

He continues to one-sidedly kiss my lips until he finally realizes the futility of it.

"Damn it, Sisi," he curses, letting me go.

Bringing the back of my hand to my mouth, I wipe him from my lips, my eyes on his so he can see the disgust in my expression.

"After everything you've done to me," I start, anger, sadness and frustration mingling together and rising to the surface, "you have the gall to take me from my wedding, threaten me to sign my Goddamn name on a fucking piece of paper," I'm breathing harshly, "that by the way doesn't mean anything to me," my lip curls up in distaste, "and now you want me to just kiss you?

As if the last three months didn't happen?

As if you didn't crush my heart and leave me bleeding–literally and figuratively? "

He flinches, reacting to my words for the first time. But I can't stop. Not anymore. Tears of frustration threaten to make their way to the surface as I continue to speak.

"You destroyed me, Vlad. You have absolutely no right to strut back into my life as if nothing happened. Pretend nothing happened. And then expect me to behave like nothing happened. What the hell is wrong with you?" I scream at him, my entire body shaking.

"After everything I went through… you have no right," I tell him, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath.

I don't want to break down in front of him, no matter how mad he might make me. I don't ever want to show him my weakness, or the fact that he is my weakness.

He doesn't even reply. He just watches me, his expression closed off.

Not able to bear another moment in his presence, I make to leave.

"You were pregnant," he finally speaks, his words renewing my pain.

Were…

"Yes," I answer, willing my voice not to betray me. Of all the things he could have brought up, he had to go there. Is that why he's back in my life? To ask about the baby? Maybe offer some insincere apology?

But why would he even care?

"Was it mine?" he asks, his question shocking me to my core. I whip my head around, my eyes coming into contact with his.

And God… he really thinks…

Something breaks within me when I realize that in his mind I'd simply hop from one bed to another. Does he really think that little of my love?

But he does.

Laughter threatens to spill over as it dawns on me.

Unwanted… of course I'd fuck anyone for attention. Isn't that what he's been implying from the beginning?

My fists clench, and I have this sudden urge to hurt him—even though I doubt he'll care. I just want to wipe the grin off of his face once and for all. If I can't hurt his feelings, then I can at least hurt his pride.

So I answer his question.

"I don't know," I lie, holding my expression in check. I could have easily said no, but then he could have called my bluff. No, this should dig deeper into his ego and make him wonder just how long after him did I turn to another.

There's the slightest reaction in the way his jaw clenches, his eye twitching as he turns his deadly gaze on me.

"Did you fuck him?" The words are brusque, violence dripping from them as he takes a step toward me.

I don't back down. I raise my chin up, my eyes bravely meeting his as I show him that he doesn't scare me.

"Why do you care?" I throw the question out, trying to seem as nonchalant as I can.

"Did. You. Fuck. Him?" He grits his teeth, his body already crowding mine as he pushes me toward the wall.

"No," I answer, maintaining eye contact, enjoying the way relief floods his features before I continue, wanting to twist him up inside and make him hurt like I did, "I made love to him. Not that you would know what that means."

I give him a brilliant smile, playing his game. Leaning forward to whisper in his ear, I add, "He worshiped my body and made sweet love to me. He showed me it doesn't have to hurt. And when it does, it hurts good."

I don't know where this is all coming from, but I want to be petty. I want to cause him at least one percent of the hurt he's caused upon me.

"You're lying," he spits out, narrowing his eyes at me.

Ah, but it seems to be working.

Already, I can see his body slowly shaking, his jaw locked tight in place as he regards me. He might not have feelings, but he does have his pride. And I think I just injured it.

It takes everything in me not to gloat at the fact, and not bait him even further. But for him to truly believe me, I can't stoop too low.

The opposite of love isn't hate—it's apathy.

And he's been the best teacher in showing me just how much indifference hurts. So I return the favor.

"Think what you will, Vlad. Frankly, I don't care." I shrug, looking unbothered. "You threw me away, and he was there to pick up the pieces. Can you blame me?" I raise an eyebrow, waiting for his logical mind to process everything.

His expression morphs before my eyes, his eyes widening in horror and I have my confirmation that he believes me. Stepping back, there's a slight shake of his head as he looks at me in dismay, the muscles in his arms protruding as he clenches and unclenches his fists.

I'm not sure what type of reaction I was expecting, but certainly not this.

Turning his back to me, he punches the table, breaking it in the middle. I move to the side, his outburst taking me by surprise.

"Sisi," he calls my name, his voice ragged.

Still not facing me, he continues to punch the table, effectively destroying it. And when there's nothing more to hit, he falls to his knees, bleeding hands to his temples as he starts hitting himself.

A low and anguished moan escapes him—something akin to pain.

But it can't be…

"Sisi," he continues to say my name, his voice increasingly lower, raspier, and filled with… hurt.

I shake my head, unable to comprehend this display in front of me.

"Vlad, what's wrong?" I move toward him, my worry for him trumping my disdain.

"No," he puts a hand up, "all my fault," he mumbles something, his breathing punctured and heavy.

"Vlad…"

"Stay back," he wheezes, bending over in pain.

"I…" I trail off, watching him heave, his entire face strained, his eyes closed.

"Run," he says, the words are barely audible.

"Vlad." I take a step closer, concerned.

"Run!" he screams at me, and one glimpse at his features has my feet moving of their own accord. "Basement… Lock yourself…" He doesn't get to finish the sentence as another pained whimper escapes him. He seems to be battling with himself for control.

I know I should take this chance and just run away, but the sight of him crouched on the floor and in pain is etched in my mind, not letting me do anything but head to the basement and wait.