Page 39 of Between Power and Passion

I blink rapidly as a blinding light suddenly turns on, making me wince. My eyes slowly adjust to the harsh illumination, and when my gaze focuses, I see him—Mikhail Kozlov. His piercing blue eyes bore into mine, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Did you really think Dmitri could protect you?" he sneers, his voice dripping with mockery.

My heart sinks at his words. I try to maintain a brave face, but inside, fear grips me tightly. Mikhail takes a drag from his cigarette and then flicks it away carelessly. He steps closer, circling around me like a predator sizing up its prey.

"You look surprised," he says with a laugh. "What did you think would happen? That Dmitri could keep you safe forever?"

He reaches out and runs his fingers through my hair before trailing them down my neck. I flinch at his touch, but there's nowhere for me to go.

"You see," he continues, "Dmitri might be good at playing hero, but he's just as vulnerable as anyone else." He leans in close to my ear and whispers, "And now you're here—right where you belong."

His hand moves lower, tracing the lines of my collarbone. I try to pull away, but the ropes hold me firmly in place. My breath comes in ragged gasps as I fight to stay calm.

"What's the matter?" Mikhail taunts. "Scared?"

He steps back and laughs again, clearly enjoying my discomfort. His arrogance infuriates me, but there's little I can do from this position.

"Dmitri can't save you now," Mikhail says coldly. "You're mine."

He walks behind me, his fingers trailing along my shoulders before he stops directly behind the chair. The sense of powerlessness is overwhelming, but I refuse to give him the satisfaction of seeing me break.

I swallow hard, trying to keep my fear in check. "Let me go, Mikhail," I demand, my voice steadier than I feel. "Dmitri never targeted you directly. You know that."

Mikhail sneers, his piercing blue eyes filled with contempt. "Oh, Valentina," he says mockingly, circling me like a vulture. "This isn't just about Dmitri disrupting my plans. This is personal." He stops in front of me, leaning down so that his face is inches from mine. "Your father gave me the go-ahead to take you by force."

My heart sinks at his words. I can't still believe that my own father sold me to this monster.

Mikhail's lips curl into a sinister smile as he trails a finger down my face, sending shivers through my body. "I love virgins," he murmurs, his touch lingering on my skin. "And you, Valentina... you're mine to use at will."

A wave of revulsion crashes over me, but I refuse to let him see my fear. Instead, I force a laugh, the sound echoing in the cold room. Mikhail's expression falters for a moment, confusion flickering in his eyes.

"You think this is funny?" he growls.

I meet his gaze head-on, refusing to back down. "You're pathetic," I say. Mikhail's sinister smirk makes my skin crawl, but I force myself to meet his gaze. "Sorry to burst your bubble, Mikhail," I say, my voice steady despite the fear churning inside me, "but I'm pregnant. And it's Dmitri's child."

His expression shifts from smug satisfaction to shock and then to rage. The change is so quick it almost makes me flinch. His face reddens, and he steps closer, towering over me. "You whore!" he spits before his hand flies across my face in a resounding slap. My cheeks sting at the impact, and my vision blurs for a moment.

"You bitch," he snarls, his eyes blazing with fury. "You defiled yourself with that traitor!"

Tears sting my eyes, but I blink them back, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing me break. I can taste blood in my mouth where my lip has split.

Mikhail's rage twists into something more sinister as he begins to smirk again. He leans in close, his breath hot against my ear. "Well," he says softly, his tone dripping with malice, "since you're not showing yet, it means you're not far along."

A chill runs down my spine as his words sink in.

"I can fix this," he continues, stepping back to look at me with cold calculation. "I can terminate this pregnancy and erase any trace of your infidelity."

My heart beats wildly in my chest. The thought of losing my child is unbearable. Maybe I shouldn't have said anything.

Mikhail's eyes gleam with satisfaction at the fear he sees in mine. He straightens up and calls out to someone. My pulse quickens as I hear footsteps approaching.

Chapter 18 – Dmitri

I signal Alexei with a nod, and we move into position. The moonlight barely touches the edges of Sergei’s mansion, casting long shadows that we use to our advantage. Alexei's team follows silently behind, each step calculated and deliberate.

We reach the perimeter wall first. I feel the rough brick under my fingertips as I scale it, pulling myself up with practiced ease. Once on top, I crouch low, scanning the grounds. Two guards patrol below, their footsteps heavy and rhythmic on the gravel path.

Alexei is next to me now. He gives a quick hand signal to his men. They fan out, melting into the darkness like ghosts. My pulse is steady; years of training and a burning need for vengeance have prepared me for this.

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