Page 79 of Sweet Deception

Her eyes flickered with interest before they dimmed again. “It’s too late for that, dear. I will find them on my own.”

She made a subtle gesture. Two men stepped forward.

As the men restrained me, I stopped struggling. What was the point? It wasn’t just the ropes cutting into my wrists that made me weak, it was the weight of betrayal. I had no illusions about Gleb’s love, but I thought, on some level, I mattered. That his obsession meant something.

But he wasn’t coming for me.

And if he wasn’t coming... who would?

He had said I’d be sent back to Italy once the thirty days were up, and it seemed that’s exactly what was about to happen.

Grandma exhaled another cloud of smoke, watching me with something almost like pity.

“If only you had been reasonable, Anna.” Her fingers tapped the cigarette against the side of a tree. “I would have given you everything. Protection. Power. A place in our family.” She tilted her head. “All you had to do was betray your parents. But you? You’re still clinging to the fantasy that they love you.”

I swallowed hard. Was I?

With a wave of her hand, the men holding me exchanged glances. One, tall, scarred, with a jagged tattoo curling up his neck, sighed in frustration.

“We’re really doing this?” he muttered.

Another snorted. “Orders are orders.”

A third man chuckled. “Gleb ain’t gonna stop us if she’s already dead.” His eyes roamed over me hungrily. “What’s one last little taste?”

My stomach twisted. They weren't supposed to touch me, but the way they spoke, it was like they were convincing himself it would be worth the risk.

“If you touch her, I’ll cut your dick off myself,” Grandma said flatly.

A sob tore from my throat. “Please. I don’t want to die.”

Grandma tilted her head, a mockery of sympathy in her expression. “Oh, my dear...”

“No!” I screamed, jerking back, but hands grabbed me, strong, unyielding, indifferent.

Fingers ripped at my clothes, tearing fabric from my body as I thrashed against them. My bra snapped, leaving me exposed before their leering gazes. I tried to cover myself, but two men forced my arms down, pinning me to the dirt.

“Please,” I sobbed. “Please... If Anastasia was still alive, would she want this? Would she want you to turn into the same kind of monster my father is?”

I could see her clenching her fist, looking away...ashamed, but refusing to admit it.

Laughter. Someone grabbed the waistband of my trousers, yanking the zipper down. Cold air hit my thighs as they dragged them lower, lower... until I was left in my underwear.

A beat of silence. Then...

“Shit!” One of the men recoiled.

I squeezed my eyes shut. I already knew. They’d seen the blood.

A sharp slap cracked across my face, whipping my head to the side.

One of them cursed, his disgust obvious. “She’s bleeding.”

Another snorted. “So? You never had a woman on her cycle before?”

A third spat to the side, scowling. “Mrs. Valentina said no touching. I don’t know about you, but I don’t wanna lose my damn head over this.”

“No one touches her.” Grandma shouted from where she stood.