Page 79 of Love Me in the Dark

When the man who ran the pawnshop realised how badly I needed money, he suggested I sell him my body to make some cash. I was ashamed to admit that if my sister hadn’t returned when she did, I would have had to take him up on that offer. Letting Father starve or lose access to his medicines after we lost Mother wasn’t something I could allow, and my paintings had no value back home.

So if trading my body meant rescuing Rada, I would do it because, at least, it was my choice. Any one of those disgusting men would have forced me after I’d been sold. At least Viktor hadn’t done that, and unlike Baris from the pawnshop, he was attractive. I wanted my virgin status gone because if Viktor wouldn’t help me, then I would escape, and if I fell back into their hands, at least I’d end up where Rada was. That reality made me shake with fear, but I guess I’d call it plan C at this stage.

"Food’s ready," Nik called, and I realised they'd known I was here all along.

I lifted my chin and tried to channel some of Rada's confidence as I walked in.

"Hey, those clothes fit pretty well," Nik said, pointing a spatula at me.

"Don't stare at her," Viktor growled, startling me with the intensity of his tone.

Nik rolled his eyes and turned back to the stove. These two had a relationship that reminded me of siblings, although they looked nothing alike.

The kitchen smelled of bacon, and my stomach growled.

"Sit," Viktor said.

I pulled out a stool at the breakfast bar, noticing the open shopping bag with orange juice and bread inside. Viktor pickedup the carton and poured me a glass. Nik presented me with a bacon sandwich and handed me some red sauce.

"Why am I here?"

"Good question." Nik smirked and returned to the cooker as Viktor scowled at his back.

"Did you want to stay there?" Viktor asked again.

"That's not an answer."

Viktor tore into his breakfast, ignoring my question, while Nik stifled a snigger. Deciding I could negotiate better with a stomach full of bacon, I tucked in too. The salty explosion across my taste buds almost made me groan. I finished the first sandwich, and Nik gave me another. Seeing the second made me think of Rada, which turned the food in my mouth to ash. I swallowed thickly and pushed my plate away.

“What’s wrong?” Viktor asked.

“I’m full,” I said.

Viktor grabbed my sandwich and ate it while his eyes remained intently on me. It was totally different from the stares I’d felt on me last night. His gaze felt like a brand, and it made me shiver inside. This man’s effect on me was something I'd never experienced. I tried not to squirm in my chair and cast around for something to say.

“Food always tastes better off someone else’s plate,” I said, echoing something my father used to say.

A sharp stab of grief needled through me. Father would be turning in his grave to see his girls now.

I cleared my throat. “I need to speak to you.”

“Nik,” Viktor said without looking at the other man.

Nik grabbed the towering plate of sandwiches he’d just built for himself and left the kitchen, snatching the red sauce as he went.

I dug deep for more of Rada’s courage and fixed my gaze on a point at Viktor’s shoulder. The potency of his stare was too much to handle when I was trying to get my words out.

“I have a deal to offer you. I will exchange my virginity for your help. My sister was taken by those men too, and I need to find her. You let the other women escape when you took me, so I know you can help.” My voice shook slightly as I finished.

My words were met with silence. Viktor was Bulgarian, so I didn’t know why I chose English. Perhaps it was because of Rada’s insistence that I practice. I opened my mouth to repeat myself in Bulgarian.

“Look at me,” Viktor said, his voice gravelly.

I wasn’t prepared for the ferocity of his gaze.

“Do I look like the kind of man who trades in a woman’s innocence?”

I blinked at him, shifting in my seat.