Page 30

CHARLOTTE

I lean on the counter, breathing in the rich, dark aroma of the freshly brewed coffee, the warmth of the mug a soothing contrast to my fingertips.

With a loud bang the kitchen door swings open, and the sound of Vlad’s boots echoes across the wooden floor.

“Sign the contract. Today,” he commands, tossing the paper down on the dining table.

I nod, my gaze drifting away from his intense stare.

I already sent in the application after some thorough research. It was eye-opening, to say the least. We must have had confirmation I’ve been accepted, guessing by his abrupt tone.

A sense of unease washes over me, making me instinctively walk next to Isabella and place a protective arm around her.

She’s terrified of him.

Mostly, he ignores her. She disgusts him.

“Get the brat out of here, or I’ll send her to the pig farm.” He wiggles his finger at her.

She shivers against me, almost plastering herself to my leg.

As long as I behave, she stays alive and unharmed.

Ultimately, I couldn’t save my father. Vlad took my mother from me, too. He isn’t taking my baby.

I will never let this man touch my daughter.

Speaking of, I look up at the clock, and it’s two minutes past eight. Drago is late.

Unusual.

Crouching down to Isabella, I brush her dark curls away from her shoulder.

“Why don’t you go wait in the living room and pick out a book. I’ll read it while we wait for Uncle Drago. Okay?”

She nods, and I give her a kiss on the forehead.

“Good girl,” I whisper.

I keep my eyes pinned on her as she skirts around the table and runs past Vlad.

“You don’t trust me?” Vlad scoffs and steps forward, clenching his fist.

“Me? After what you did, you dirty whore. You don’t trust me?” he shouts.

I don’t flinch as he pushes the chair away from the table and it knocks against the floor.

I lift my chin. I won’t shrink from him.

He picks up the paper and shoves it into my chest.

“Sign it. The perfect assignment for a slut like my wife.” His saliva hits my cheek and I wipe it away with the sleeve of my cardigan.

I take the paper and back away until my butt hits the cupboard.

“Surprised you aren’t jumping for joy. Time away, and you get to be a whore.” His lips twist into a grin as he twirls my hair around his finger.

He pulls it, and I wince.

“You’re lucky you’re an asset to my family; otherwise, you’d be dead by now,” he seethes.

Pulling back, his evil eyes stare into mine as he grips my jaw.

“And, I like having you as my pet. Locked up and under my thumb. Turns me on.” He grabs his junk, and my nose scrunches.

I wince as he leans in and slaps a sloppy kiss on my cheek.

“Make sure the brat is in bed before I get home. I want an evening with my wife. It could be one of our last.” He releases me and winks, stomping towards the front door.

I grab the counter after throwing the contract down and take in a shaky breath.

Hatred. That is all I feel.

Every time he touches me, I imagine the joy it would bring me to stab him through the throat.

One day.

“Mommy? Can we read now?” Isabella asks once the door slams shut.

“Coming, baby,” I call out.

I fluff my hair back out, grab my coffee, and head in to see her.

She’s happy, giggling away to herself as she plays with her dolls in their sparkly pink dresses.

I don’t care how much pain I have to endure if it means that smile stays on her face forever.

“Which book?” I ask. She looks up at me with her enormous blue eyes, all bright and full of life.

She pouts and taps her lips.

“I was thinking, your special one again?” she says, giving me a cheeky grin.

“Didn’t we finish it last night?” I tilt my head.

She’s desperate for me to change it.

I wish I could rewrite my past.

“Yes. But we can do a different version. Please?”

Expertly, she bats her lashes and gives me a sad pout.

“Fine. We can make some tweaks,” I tell her.

Taking a seat on the leather couch, she jumps up next to me and snuggles in.

If I’m not training or on jobs, I’m writing my book. The perfect escape for me. But it plagues my thoughts all day and night of Jimmy.

I don’t even get halfway through before Drago knocks on the door.

“Go let him in,” I tell her, looking at the camera and checking it is him.

Heading into the kitchen, I pour him a coffee and hand it to him as he carries Isabella in.

“You okay?” he asks.

I nod.

Picking up the contract, he frowns, putting Isabella on her feet.

“I’ll sign it today,” I tell him, finishing my drink and washing it out in the sink.

“Thank you. I’ve been working on contacts to have near the area. I’ve done some digging. I’m fairly certain I have a close enough location.”

“Fine. How’s our other plan looking?”

“I think we can find a way; just get the job done. Okay? Trust me. Whoever is behind those gates is the key to this.”

I nod.

He’s never given me a reason not to.

After giving Isabella a kiss goodbye, I take the contract and curl up on the couch.

My morning read is quite something.