Page 44 of Bound By Hate (Born in Blood)

“Well, we should be going.” He grabs my arm and shoves me toward a door. It leads into the main seating area, where a lot of men still sit and mingle. How can they just talk like women weren’t sold like slaves before them?

My eyes land on a familiar face. Damien Petrov. I never would have thought a handsome man like him would feel the need to buy a woman.

Akim makes me walk right past Damien, and I can’t help myself. “I’m glad I didn’t marry you. You’re disgusting.”

Damien raises an eyebrow. “I never knew you wanted to marry me. And I’m only here because I was invited. I have no desire to buy a woman.”

“But you didn’t stop this either.”

His response is to turn away from me and speak to the men beside him. Dismissing me.

“Come along,” Akim mutters, shoving me up the aisle. “I didn’t say you could talk to him.”

“I can do what I want.”

“No, you can’t.” He pulls me roughly against him. For such an old man, he sure is strong. “I bought you. You’re mine now. I will tell you who to talk to, and I didn’t say you could talk to that man.”

I flinch back from his gross breath. It could kill a plant from how bad it smells.

Akim makes me walk by his side as we leave the theater, and I glance back at the stage. It’s empty now, devoid of any woman. That’s because all the other women are still locked up in cages.

I wanted to perform on a stage again. I just never thought it would be like this.

Akim walks me to his car and shoves me inside. My head slams against the doorframe, making my vision dizzy for a moment. Using that to his advantage, he gets behind the wheel and drives. I force my vision to steady so I can pay attention to where I am. He didn’t blindfold me, which makes me more nervous.

He doesn’t think I’ll ever be found. So, why worry that I can see where we’re going?

“I’ll expect complete obedience from you. You will let me fuck you, and you will do it with a smile, and you will say thank you once it’s over.”

“I amnotgiving you my virginity.”

Akim throws a glare in my direction. “I bought you for your virginity. I have a right to it. I was promised it. Now, I suggest you shut your mouth, or things will be a lot worse for you.”

“I’m getting pretty tired of men telling me what to do with my mouth.”

“Then I’ll have to shove my cock into it to shut you up.”

“You shouldn’t have bought me if you wanted an obedient woman. I will never bend to you. I will never break.”

Akim narrows his eyes. “We’ll see about that.”

I can’t stop the shudder that overtakes my body. I’m a strong woman—always have been. I’ve known what I’ve wanted to do all my life—ballet—and I fought tooth and nail to achieve my dream. I will have my dream again. A small, measly little man like Akim will not stop me.

I’ll kill him before he makes me break.

He pulls up to a large mansion. I spy guards surrounding the perimeter—all with guns. There has to be at least ten of them.

“Who are you?” I ask.

“Who I am doesn’t matter. Now, be a good girl, and get out of the car before I make you.”

With a huff, I push open the door and step outside.

And then make a run for it.

I only make it down the sidewalk before a bullet whizzes right by my head. I shout and duck.

A guard runs over to me and drags me back to Akim, who explains, “My guards are expertly trained men. You cannot escape them. And they have a stake in you. Once I’m done having my way with you, they’ll take you next.”

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