Page 133 of Claim

I jerk my head and meet her nose with my forehead, making a resounding crack.

“Ah!” she screams and leaps back, blood gushing from her nostrils down her chin. “You monster!”

“Did you forget who my father is?” I sneer. “That rotten apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Let me go, and I swear that will be the worst that happens.”

I add tension to the restraints, silently flexing to test the weaknesses.

I think I can get out, I just need to buy some more time.

“Don’t tell me you really thought this would work? That I would crumple to my knees and beg you? I’m a fucking Volkov, whether I want to be or not. And Ana carries mychild, heir to my empire.” I spit at the floor by her feet. “You’re nothing to me, Zoya. And you’ve repeatedly proven how little you’re worth.”

Her normally beautiful features mottle in anger and she runs from the room, her hands covering her bleeding face.

This is going to suck. I have no doubts that Zoya is going to hurt me.

But I can’t let her think she can control me. I’ve known her for too long, and have learned more about her in the last few months than I ever wanted.

I’m only here for Galena.

What I didn’t expect was for her to reappear with two wads of tissue shoved into her nostrils, and wearing nothing but a bra and panties.

“You have got to be kidding.” My jaw clenches in disgust.

“If it’s all about the baby, I should have the heir. I deserve it. After all, what’s good for the father, is good for the son.” She moves closer and reaches for my pants.

I might violently vomit on her.

Instead, I swipe my leg hard enough to catch behind her calves, sending her sprawling across the floor.

“This isn’t happening.” Straining, I can almost feel my right arm gaining ground on the bindings.

“Now you’re going to pay for that.” Zoya pulls herself up and whips a long silk robe around her body. “Ivan isn’t going to be as nice.”

“Ivan is who did this to me, Zoya! Don’t you remember that night? Why would you work with him? He was horrible to you!” I want to yell in rage.

I lost so many people that night because of her. To have her run back into the arms of my father after everything I did…

Crushing.

“I was young and foolish. I see now how he truly cared for me. He treated me like the princess thatI am.” She pulls her phone from the table and types furiously into it. “He’ll be here soon, and he’s going to make you pay.”

“How? The only thing I have left is my life! He’s destroyed everything he’s touched. Think about it!” I’d rather die than let him hurt Ana.

She’s my world. Her and our baby are all that is important.

If this is all about me, maybe it’s my time.

I’ll gladly take my last breath if it keeps my family safe.

At least I can die now knowing what love feels like. Even if it was brief, she gave me a reason to stop just surviving and start living.

So if this really is the end, I can crash out of this world picturing my pretty girl’s smile.

I’m just glad she’s back in Vegas and safe.

“And locking me and my daughter away for half a decade was the answer? I’ve been miserable! At least Ivan took me out, showed me off. He may be a little rough, but I could see the world, and have all the best that it has to offer.” She lashes out and kicks my shin. “You kept me in a hovel, barely surviving. That is no way to live.”

“Jesus, Zoya. I know how you were raised. Your father taught you the value of hard work. You’re no princess. Stop acting like you’re entitled to more.” I’m beginning to regret every penny I sent towards her.

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