Page 11 of Bound By Longing

I flinch, backing away from the door. The bathroom is just as filthy as the rest of the house. Mold and grime in every crack. Yellow stains on the walls. It stinks in here.

But it’s better locked in here than out there with Vladimir.

He keeps banging on the door. I wonder why he doesn’t just get a key and unlock the door when I realize he must not have the key to the door. I guess he never thought I’d run.

I still can’t believe I ran away from him, especially with a gun pointed at me. Instinct took over, and I didn’t stop to think for a second. I think my sisters would be proud of me for that.

Eventually, Vladimir stops banging on the door. “You will come out.”

Then he starts firing. As bullets rip through the door, I dive into the bathtub, seeking cover. The bullets land on the wall above me, just narrowly avoiding me. I ignore the brown stains in the bathtub. Now is not the team to be queasy.

Now is the time to save my life.

Vladimir stops shooting at the door. “Are you dead in there?”

I don’t respond. Let him think I’m dead. Maybe I’ll be able to escape them.

I listen to his footsteps fade away and sink deeper into the bathtub, breathing out a sigh of relief. I’m safe. I did that all on my own.

And then the tears come, and I don’t stop crying for a long time.

Chapter

Three

MILA

Ijerk awake to the sound of the door busting open. Sitting up, I see Vladimir storming into the bathroom, coming right for me.

I try to run, but there’s nowhere for me to go. I’m stuck in the bathroom with the wall behind me.

“So, you’re not dead,” he says, grabbing my arms and dragging me out of the tub. “I have to say, I’m impressed. I thought for sure you were dead. Used the tub as a safety net, I see. Smart.” He pulls me in close to him. I can smell his horrid breath and try not to grimace. “I don’t like smart girls.”

He pushes me out of the bathroom. “I want you to clean my house. I know one way to make you.”

“Please, just let me go,” I sob. “Please.” If I were Sofiya, I’d be playing nice to find a way to escape. Or if I were Vik, I’d be cussing Vladimir out and making him feel horrible about himself.

But I’m neither of my sisters. I’m Mila. Afraid, weak Mila, who can only beg to be released.

“No,” Vladimir snaps. “You will clean my house.” He walks into the kitchen and returns with a dog collar and a leash. “This will keep you from running again.”

I back away, but he grabs me and forces the collar around my throat. It’s too tight. I struggle even to swallow properly. Yanking on the leash, Vladimir forces me to my knees.

“Clean,” he shouts, throwing a rag down at my feet. I start scrubbing the floor, though I’m not sure how much it’s helping. To clean Vladimir’s house, I’d need an entire cleaning crew.

“Why are you doing this?” What did I do to deserve this? Other than be born into the Bratva. I guess that was my sin—being my father’s daughter.

“Because I can.” He tugs on the leash, making me hit my face on the floor. “Now, keep cleaning.” He settles back onto the couch, keeping his hand on the leash so I can’t get far. One short tug, and I won’t be able to breathe. Or worse—he could snap my neck.

I try to ignore Vladimir’s gaze as I scrub at the floor, but I can’t stop the crawling sensation over my body, knowing he’s watching me. I feel like a fool now for wanting more out of life. I should have been content to just remain in my bedroom and stare out at the garden.

Because now I’m no longer a princess stuck in a castle.

I’m a slave stuck in a prison.

Who knows what Vladimir will do to me? He said he doesn’t want to have sex with me, but he does want to touch me. There’s no way out for me.

I can only hope I’ll be rescued.

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