Page 43 of Bound By Longing

“What are you going to do to me?” I ask. But the moment I speak, I regret it.

Lev smiles and grabs my face, pulling me into him. “I’m going to make Damien regret ever trying to embarrass me. I’m going to hurt you, little girl.” He shoves me back and gets out of the car.

This is it. I’m going to die. I feel it in my bones.

For a moment, I thought I would be safe when I returned home with Mikhail. I thought agreeing to marry Dimitri could change everything.

But ever since Damien entered my life, it seems the darkness that surrounds him won’t let me go so easily. I’m here because of Damien. Because Lev wants to hurt me to get back at Damien.

It all comes back to Damien.

My sisters saved me from a lot within the past year. I’ve always stood on the sidelines, not fighting for myself. I really am a princess locked in a tower.

I need to fight. For my sisters. For myself.

Lev is walking around the car toward my door, and I know I only have a split second chance to run. I push the door open, jump outside, and take off running.

I’m so grateful I’m wearing sneakers and pants today. Because it was cold outside, I thought I would be comfy for my date with Dimitri. Now, it’s probably the only thing keeping me alive.

I spent years becoming strong as a ballerina, and I use that strength now to run as fast as I can. Lev cusses behind me before chasing after me. His footsteps are getting closer. The woods surround me, blocking me in from every angle.

I have no idea where I’m going.

But I’m not going to stop.

I run into the woods, hoping the cover of the trees will help save me from Lev. There’s just one problem—leaves cover the entire ground. My footsteps crunch on the leaves as I run, signaling to Lev where I am.

I dive behind a large, mossy tree on the ground and stop, holding my breath as I wait for Lev. I’m fast, but I can’t outrun him forever. My only chance is to try to hurt him when he walks by.

Or maybe he won’t even find me and give up. Though, that’s likely a fool’s thought.

Lev’s footsteps crunch on the leaves as he gets closer. “Little bitch! You can’t escape me that easily.”

I flinch and clamp my hands over my mouth. I have to survive this. Lev didn’t have me long before Damien found me the first time, so he didn’t get the chance to truly hurt me.

But I’m hours away. I don’t think safety is coming. And Lev is even angrier now.

He stops close to the tree I’m hiding behind. I can even hear him breathing.

I’m waiting for him to reach down and grab me when I hear the sound of gunshots.

“What the fuck?” Lev mutters before taking off running in the opposite direction.

I let out a slow breath and peek over the tree to see what’s happening. Lev is gone, but I can still hear the sound of gunshots. What’s going on?

I don’t dare move.

After what feels like an eternity, the gunshots stop.

And then I hear him.

“Mila!” Damien’s voice carries through the forest.

I gasp. He found me. Again. And just like before, he saved me from Lev.

I force myself to stand up and run out of the forest. Damien stands on the road before the grand house, looking around wildly. He stops when he sees me.

Before I know it, I’m running to him.

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