Page 34 of Heirs of Havoc

“You don’t, Mia.” There’s venom in his voice when he says my name, but it still makes my stomach twist. “You really fucking don’t, but I’ll make you understand. Promise.” Something pushes against my crotch and when my eyes drop, Dom stands. “You have two minutes or I’m getting the gag.” Rising from the bed, it’s hard to bite my tongue, but I do, my tongue ring against my teeth. If they’re letting me go to work, I’ll have time to think about my next move. "I don’t have all day.” He stands in front of me like he’s waiting for something.

“You’re gonna watch me?”

“Nothing I haven’t seen before.” He leans against the wall, crossing his ankles. “Don’t be shy.” Rolling my eyes, I turn around before he stops me. “No, I want to see you. In case you need a reminder, I don’t miss things like Vlad or Lev and I’m not a fucking pussy like Feliks. My eyes stay on you and if that means all of you, then so fucking be it. You brought this on yourself and I swear to God, if you don’t start taking off your fucking clothes…” He takes a step forward and I wince before I push my panties down my legs. His eyes drop to my trimmed mound, his lip disappearing behind his straight white teeth. “Good girl.”

Dom’s eyes on me make me squirm. But there’s something about Dominik Federov staring at me that makes my body feel alive. He doesn’t give anyone or anything as much attention as he’s giving me right now. And while he’s holding me hostage and treating me like a dog, the look he has on his chiselled face when I unhook my bra is everything. I can see the twitch in his pants, the tightening of his fist. His body is as tense as mine, as tense as the air as I step out of my clothes. He watches my every move as I pull his t-shirt over my head, then his joggers up to my waist, pulling the string tight.

Once I’ve changed, he takes a moment, raking his eyes from my head to my feet as I push my sneakers on. Wearing his clothes makes it feel like he’s right on top of me. Does he know it’s going to make it harder to keep my mind off that sinister gaze? He tilts his chin towards the door.

“Move.” His command reminds me of being back at the penitentiary and that’s exactly how he’s treating me. Like he promised. His prisoner.

Following Dom up the steps, it opens to what looks like a cellar door, confirming he locked me in a fucking cell. A cage.

Lev waits at the top, the sunlight burning my eyes. “Morning, M&M." His smile makes the sun brighten behind his head. "Don’t you look as fresh as a peach? A bruised one.” He’s making fun of me, but I’m not in the mood. I don’t need a mirror to tell me how crazy my hair looks or how tired my face is. I can feel the dryness in my strands. It's as dry as my skin.

Dom pushes me forward. “Lev's taking you to work.” His breath lands on the back of my neck and I hope his shirt is big enough to hide the goosebumps rising below. While I thought he’d be the one escorting me, I’m not surprised that’s not the case. If I did really help Dom escape from prison, he’s at high risk. “Vlad is going too, and he’s still angry about last night, so I’d watch that fucking mouth.”

Slam!

Vlad comes out of the front door of the mansion, stalking towards the muscle car in the driveway. Lev moves towards the passenger seat and while I shouldn’t get into a car with these two again, I don’t have a choice.

I don't know how late I am for work, or if I still have a job, but there’s a silver lining here. If I’m going to work, I have a shot at getting out of this. And I’m sure as hell gonna take it.

* * *

The smell of wood welcomes me as I walk through the door of Godfrey Books. It combines with the sweet, musky smell of novels and a hint of Nani’s spices. While this place is usually quiet and comforting, I’m on edge.

Spinning around on the shiny dark wood, Vlad peers out the window of the car as the twins peel off.

Time to think of a plan.

“Nani?” I call throughout the shop, peering around the tall tree in the middle of the store. It’s said to represent the Garden of Eden but right now, considering what I’ve been through, it feels more like a harrowing forest. “Nani?”

“Mia?” Nani calls back from the far end of the store, where her little cafe sits to the side. She's the queen of Caribbean food in Clementine, and being so far from the city, it’s a welcome addition to the store. The town eats it up and so do I. It’s nostalgic. A far cry from the fancy Italian fare my father orders. “Mia, is that you?” My eyes land on the clock behind the marble customer service desk before relief hits my chest. I shouldn't be in that much trouble for missing an hour of my shift. “Chile, where on earth have you been?” My barbell stalls on the roof of my mouth. She wouldn’t believe it if I told her. “And what are you wearing?” I’m happy she changes the subject and I already have an excuse. Thought about it on the way here.

“Sorry.” I wince to sell my point, but it’s easy with scratches and bruises covering my body, hidden by Dom’s clothes. Even my nipple still aches from Vlad's handiwork. And I'm so fucked my thighs clench at the thought. “It’s laundry day.”

Nani twists her round nose, wiping her hands on her beige apron. Her floral shirt and bright green skirt remind me of the tropical island she hails from. “Yuh’ alright? You look tired.”

“I’m fine.” I try to straighten the drying coils in my hair, reaching for a rubber band on her wooden cafe counter. Flaky pastries and inviting sweets sit beyond the glass underneath, but I’m way too fucked up to eat. “Studying hard.”

Her hands come to her hips. “Is that why you missed the shift I called you about? And the one after that?”

“I’m so sorry, Nani. It’s been a rough week.”

“You could have called. I know these things happen, but we’re trusting you here and now I’m not sure if that’s the right choice.” Her brown eyes wander my outfit again behind her gold-rimmed glasses. And right now I want nothing more than for her to hold me against her pear-shaped body and tell me it’ll be okay. “So I hired extra help. Feliks!”

“Nani, there’s something I have to—” My mouth stops when I register the name that left her mouth. “Wait, did you say Feliks?” Confirming my fears, Feliks comes out from behind the booth in a tie-dye hoodie and jeans that hug his long legs. Those golden eyes land on me. “What are you doing here?” The words fly from my mouth, my heart-rate picking up.

“You know him?” Grandma glances between us.

“We’re in the same dorm.” Feliks gives a stupid half-smirk, turning on that cute, careless charm for Nani. And I hate how it makes my stomach squeeze together. It’s that or the feeling of my freedom slipping away.

“Co-ed dorms?” Nani laughs like he’s said the funniest thing. “I’ve heard it all.” She turns towards the cafe counter, grabbing her keys. “I’ve worked extra the last few days, thanks to you.” She cuts her eye at me over her shoulder and it only makes me feel ten times worse. And it’s all the fault of Feliks and his friends. “Feliks is going to hold down the booth while you tend to the last three days of work.” Nani dangles the key to the shop above the ground. When I put my hand under it, she drops it, a sting in my palm. “Be good, you two.” She looks between us, a dazzle in her brown eyes before she leaves.

"From roomies to co-workers," Feliks mumbles, reaching in his hoodie for a baggy of white powder. And there goes my hope. My freedom. "This should be fun."

Chapter Fifteen

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