Page 99 of Bound By Hate (Born in Blood)

“What if I never do?”

He sighs deeply. “Then there will always be something between us.”

“Maybe that’s a good thing.”

“Do you really believe that?”

I’m not sure what I believe anymore. Here I am, taking orders from a man who grew up poor. Aleksander is beneath my station, yet he thinks he has the power to control me.

I hate him for it.

And yet, I’m drawn to him. To the power he wields. To the strength he possesses.

I haven’t thrown up as much since we married. I haven’t felt as anxious. As stressed. But that doesn’t mean I’ll ever be able to remove those thoughts from my mind fully.

I glance at the cage, then quickly look away, my heart rate spiking. “I’m not sure I can do this.”

“You can. You will do this, Viktoriya. Not for me but for yourself. Is that understood?”

My eyes lock with his. They’re so steady and blue. So calming yet so invigorating. “Understood.” The moment I say it, I feel strangely better.

“You will sit in that cage until I let you out. You can speak, but even if you beg me to let you out, I will not. I will only let you out when I know you’re ready.”

Ready for what exactly? A part of me is scared to ask.

He lets go of my chin and walks over to the cage, opening the door and motioning me to it. “Get inside.”

With a deep breath, I do as he says. The inside of the cage is cold and hard. Nothing soft about it. I have to sit on my legs, so my heels dig into my skin. My short black dress is hiked up around my waist, exposing my naked lower half. I try to get comfortable, but it’s impossible.

Then Aleksander shuts the door and locks it in place.

Immediately, I’m struck with fear. “Let me out,” I say, gripping the bars.

“You know I’m not going to do that, Viktoriya. Get comfortable. You’re going to be here for a while.”

“But I’m scared,” I admit.

His eyes soften. “I know you are.” Without a backward glance at me, he leaves the room.

“Aleksander!” I shout. “Alek!”

He doesn’t come back.

I rattle the cage, but it doesn’t budge. My heart beats so fast, it hurts. Blackness starts to seep in around my vision. I can’t do this. I’m going to die in here. I’m going to get hurt.

I keep shouting for Aleksander to return, but he doesn’t. I scream for so long my throat turns raw. Eventually, I slump back against the cage and try to calm myself down.

I can survive this. I’ve survived worse things before. Literally. I killed Akim for buying me and trying to touch me. I survived his guards who beat me. I survived my parents’ deaths. I survived having my ankle broken and being unable to return to dance.

I will survive this.

I’m alone for some time when the door opens again. I’m expecting to see Aleksander, but instead, it’s a man I don’t know. He’s older. He reminds me of Akim.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, my throat scratchy.

“I’m here to watch you.”

Dread settles in my stomach. “What? Watch me do what?”

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