Page 9 of Sinful Games

"She’s holding on," I replied, though it had become a real struggle recently.

Valoria had shared a few nights ago that my grandmother's health had taken a significant downturn, and I had to brace myself forthe inevitable.

Recalling our conversation felt like a few strings in my heart had snapped.

But my father didn’t need to know any of that.

He simply didn’t care about his mother, her health, or whether she was still walking this earth. It was almost shocking to think that she had given birth to him, considering how different they were.

"Khorosho, Good," he said, scratching his beard. "Anyway, I need your help with something else."

I freaking knew it.

I turned around, thoroughly scrubbing my hands with scalding hot water, waiting for him to speak again. My nerves crawled up my spine, hoping he wouldn’t push me into something that would make me feel ashamed once again.

"Caia—"

I tensed up. "I'm listening."

He cleared his throat. "I need you to work your charm on one of Igor’s men, Romaniev to be precise. I believe it will enhance the success of my deal with Igor, if you catch my drift."

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. "Oh, I catch your drift loud and clear, Papa."

“I knew I could count on you, my child.”

As he continued, I fought back the angry tears, letting them silently trace paths down my cheeks. I knew what he was asking of me, and it tore at my heart, but I had little choice in the matter.

The memory of the last time I attempted to refuse and escape came rushing back. He had sent one of his men to punish me, and the ordeal was something I never wanted to experience again. It had left scars, both physical and emotional, that still haunted me to this day.

I rememberthatnight when I rushed to the apartment ofone of my friends, Lidia, or Lily as I usually called her. She had gone away for the weekend to visit her parents in Rybinsk and had given me her apartment keys. Her place was a cozy one-bedroom on Duroga Street, not too far from Gorky Central Park, where we used to have lunch together.

I had kept my presence there a secret, but somehow, my father managed to track me down.

Lily's apartment wasn’t filled with much furniture, but it had a warm, inviting atmosphere. The most striking feature was the fresh flowers scattered around, brightening the space and infusing it with a touch of life.

Colorful paintings adorned the walls, all of which were her own creations.

One painting particularly caught my eye—a vivid depiction of a naked lady running through a field of lilies, mirroring the spirit of freedom and wild abandon I so desperately craved.

I was fast asleep, exhausted from last-minute exam preparations, when a loud and heavy knock on the door jolted me awake.

My heart raced in my throat as I tried to shake off my drowsiness before opening the door, half-expecting it to be Lukas, Lily's boyfriend.

In my groggy state, I had forgotten that the previous night, I had lashed out at my father for once again selling my body to one of his suppliers in a desperate bid to make some quick cash.

The moment I turned the doorknob, a powerful hand encased in a sinister leather glove seized it, violently pushing the door wide open with a force that made my stomach drop to my toes.

I instinctively clutched my cardigan tighter, seeking a thin layer of comfort as I stumbled back, cold sweat of dread forming on my skin.

Standing before me was Drayi, one of my father’s henchmen. His face twisted into an evil grin as his eyes locked onto mine, sending a shiver racing down my spine.

Fear surged through me like an electric jolt.

I took several rapid steps backward, my mind desperately urging me to escape this nightmare. But before I could flee, he struck with a vengeance, his fingers cruelly tangling in my hair, and with a merciless yank, I was sent crashing to the floor.

I landed in a twisted heap, eyes squeezed shut in a futile effort to block out the horror that had befallen me. My knees drew close to my chest in a pathetic attempt to shield myself.

Drayi loomed closer. He reached down, his hand hovering before grabbing a handful of my hair in a nightmarish grip I couldn’t escape.

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