Page 138 of The Umarova Crime Family

“My sister is an artist, but for some reason, I’m sure you know that already.”

Duarte smirks at Nazyr’s comment. “I do. One day I hope to visit her gallery. I’m always looking to add more pieces to my home.”

Duarte does research into everyone, which kind of makes me think he knew exactly who I was when I was here in my first days. I think he had his people look into me, and when he saw I was a well-educated woman, he decided to keep me. I think if I had been some boring girl, I would’ve been killed or sold to someone else.

“You’re welcome to. She has some beautiful pieces.”

“Noted. Have you given any thought to my walking artwork? I doubt she will disappoint you, Nazyr,” Duarte goes on, then looks back at me.

Nazyr turns his head and scans his eyes up and down my body. “I haven’t made up my mind.”

I inhale sharply, growing more terrified as the night goes on. If he leaves me here, I think I’m going to end up dead.

“Go and touch her.”

Touch me? Duarte has literally severed hands for less than that. I can’t tell if he’s serious or not, and with wide eyes, I look at Duarte. He smirks and looks back over at his business associate. “I mean it, Nazyr. Go ahead.” Every bit of his tone is forceful, and I’m beginning to think Nazyr doesn’t really have an option.

Nazyr locks his eyes with mine and then walks over toward me. We stare at each other for maybe ten or fifteen seconds. He gets closer to me until he’s only a mere inch away from my body. Nazyr turns to Duarte. “I appreciate the offer, but I don’t need to touch her.”

“I beg to differ. You haven’t lived life until you’ve had yourself buried in that soft, delicate pussy of hers. It is truly life-changing, my friend.” Duarte’s words shock me even more because he’s never spoken about me in this manner to anyone. In fact, I’ve never had to ever fear being touched by anyone in his presence. Looked at, sure, but never actually touched.

Okay, maybe that’s a lie. He has spoken in a degrading manner about me to others before, but I was always under the impression he’d never let another person touch me. I thought that would always mean I was safe, but right now, it’s proving that I’m not safe. I’m not safe in the least bit. Nausea rolls through my stomach, and I force myself to take a sip of champagne. I need to keep acting normal right now. I need to act like none of this is phasing me.

“Mmm, well, you know I’ve had my fair share of women,” Nazyr states, and I can sense he’s trying to change the conversation slightly. I think he’s trying to discuss something else with Duarte.

“I’m sure you have, but I insist. Take her into a room and test her out. I’m certain after you try her out, you won’t want to leave here without her. And don’t worry; she’s a token of gratitude, Nazyr. I’m insisting, so please, take her.” Duarte motions with his hand for him to take me into the nearest room, and I’m struggling to maintain my composure.

I don’t know why… I should’ve expected this. I should’ve anticipated that one day Duarte would grow bored with me. I couldn’t keep his attention forever, right? I was likely always going to be discarded. I just didn’t know it at the time… fuck!

Nazyr comes over to me and snakes his arm around my waist, pulling me into the nearest room.

Duarte’s footsteps can be heard behind us, and Nazyr looks behind him. “I’ll take the liberty of shutting the door since I can be certain you’re not a voyeur.” Duarte cackles and then shuts the door, and I swallow hard.

This is it.

I’m going to be raped again.

At least when it’s by Duarte, I know what to expect, but I don’t know anything about Nazyr. Hell, I’m terrified, but not solely because of the rape. I’m terrified because I know the moment Nazyr touches me, I’m dead if I stay here.

If Nazyr leaves me with Duarte, he will kill me… but that would be merciful compared to selling me at an auction.

Nazyr walks up to a far wall and pushes my back against it. I’m stuck staring into his deep chocolate brown eyes, which almost look kind… but how could they be? He’s in the criminal world, and there are no kind men there.

I clear my throat quietly and briefly remember Duarte mentioning something about Chechnya. Is that where Nazyr is from? If so, he likely knows Russian in addition to English. I begin speaking to him in Russian, hoping he’ll understand what I’m saying. “Do you speak Russian?”

Nazyr’s eyes widen, and he nods.

I swallow hard and continue speaking, knowing I haven’t practiced in a while, and I might be a bit rough. “There are cameras everywhere, in every room. There’s one watching us right now, and I’m certain he is watching everything we’re doing.”

Nazyr puts his hand around my neck and squeezes, shoving me harder against the wall. He brings his mouth against my neck and speaks in Russian. “I know you have no reason to trust me, but I am not going to hurt you. We need to make this look real, but I won’t violate you in the way he has. We will talk and sell what it looks like we’re doing, but that’s all.”

Relief washes over me, and for some reason, I feel as though I can trust this man.

I pray my trust isn’t falsely placed.

I pray he isn’t lying to me… because I don’t know what I’m going to do if he is.

Chapter Five

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