Page 89 of Temptation and Tyranny

Because when it came to Allegra, there was nothing I wouldn’t do. No line I wouldn’t cross. And heaven help anyone who stood in my way.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Allegra

The first thing I noticed when I regained consciousness was the cold. It seeped into my bones, making me shiver uncontrollably. My head throbbed, and as I tried to move, I realized my hands were bound behind my back. Panic surged through me as the events leading up to this moment came flooding back.

The elevator. Viktor Petrov. The sharp prick in my neck. Talking briefly to Cooper. Then, being drugged again.

I forced my eyes open, blinking against the dim light. I had been moved from the original room I was in. This room was smaller, windowless, and smelled of mold and despair. The only furniture was the hard chair I was tied to and a rickety table in the corner.

“Ah, Miss Rousseau. You’re awake again.”

I jerked my head towards the voice, wincing at the pain the sudden movement caused. Viktor Petrov stood in the doorway, his cold eyes assessing me like I was a piece of merchandise.

“What do you want with me now?” I demanded, trying to keep the fear out of my voice.

Viktor smiled, but his eyes remained hollow. “It’s quite simple, really. Mr. Moreau is going to hand over hisbusiness. For you.”

My heart raced at the mention of Cooper. “He won’t deal with you. Not for me.”

“Oh, I think he will,” Viktor said, stepping closer. “You see, I’ve made him an offer he can’t refuse. Either he completes our original deal, or you...well, let’s just say there are many interested parties who would pay handsomely for someone like you.”

The implication of his words made bile rise to the back of my throat. I knew enough about Viktor’s world—about my father’s world—to understand what he was threatening. Human trafficking. I breathed deeply, trying not to hyperventilate.

“Cooper will come for me,” I said, but even as the words left my mouth, I wasn’t sure. Would he? After everything that had happened between us?

Viktor’s laugh was cold and humorless. “We shall see. In the meantime, make yourself comfortable. You may be here for a while.”

With that, he turned and left, the heavy door slamming shut behind him. I heard the click of a lock, and then silence.

I don’t know how long I sat there, trying to work my hands free of the ropes that bound them. Hours, maybe? My wrists were raw and bleeding by the time I gave up, exhaustion and despair washing over me.

What if Cooper didn’t come? What if he decided I wasn’t worth the risk? The doubt gnawed at me, mixing with the fear and uncertainty until I felt like I was going to scream.

Just when I thought I couldn’t take the silence anymore, the door opened again. One of Viktor’s men entered, carrying a tray with what looked like bread andwater. He set it on the table without a word, then moved behind me. I tensed, expecting the worst, but he merely cut the ropes binding my hands.

“Eat,” he grunted, before leaving me alone once more.

I rubbed my wrists, wincing at the pain, before moving to the table. The bread was stale and the water was warm and slightly off-color, but I forced myself to consume both. I needed to keep my strength up if I was going to have any chance of escaping.

As I ate, I tried to formulate a plan. The room was solid concrete, with no windows and only one heavy door. Even if I could somehow overpower whoever came to check on me next, I had no idea where I was or how many of Viktor’s men were outside.

And I was in Spain. At least, I thought. How long had I been out? Was I still in Spain? I’d been moved to a different room, was I in a completely different country? Continent?

My best hope, as much as I hated to admit it, was Cooper. Despite everything that had happened between us, I believed he would come for me. He had to. I knew our love was real.

A day or two passed in a blur of fear and monotony.

But as time wore on and hope began to fade, I started to wonder if I was being foolish. What if Cooper had no idea where I was? What if he really cared more about his business than me?

It was on what I estimated to be the third day of my captivity that everything changed. I was dozing fitfully in the chair when the sound of gunfire jerked me awake. Shouts and the pounding of feet echoed fromsomewhere outside my prison.

My heart leapt into my throat. Could it be? Had Cooper actually come?

The door burst open, and for a moment, I thought I was dreaming. Cooper stood there, gun in hand, his eyes wild as they scanned the room before landing on me.

“Allegra,” he breathed, relief evident in his voice as he rushed to my side. “Are you hurt? Did they—”

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