Page 10 of Claim

I know he can’t see me, but I make sure to stick out my tongue before he disappears out of the door.

I shouldn’t have.

A hand snakes out from beside me and grabs it before I can slip it back into my mouth.

Old cigar and cologne taint my taste buds as a graying beard appears, attached to the vise-like hand.

“You shouldn’t offer this, if you don’t intend to use it, my dear.” He lets me go, and takes the leather chair in front of me.

His dark eyes pinch to match his lips as he stares at me. Crossing his legs, the shine of his black shoes catches the reflection of the high lights in the cavernous room.

No wonder there was odd acoustics, this place is massive.

Like a mansion, or castle.

Nothing like the tiny house that my mom and I live in. If only she had listened to me and moved out.

But she kept saying it was a safe place, that it was paid for, that we were taken care of there.

It’s all bullshit.

Now I’m here, being eye fucked by some creepy old guy in a designer suit.

“Do you know who I am?” He pulls a cigar from a silver gilded box near his elbow and clips the end.

When he leans forward and smiles, I can see the nicotine stains on his teeth.

I don’t even try to hide the shudder of disgust that ripples through me. “No. I’m unimpressed. Can I go now?”

His gray beard twitches before his fingers snake out and grip my chin harshly, bruising my cheeks with his iron clasp.

“I’m Ivan Volkov. Your father took everything from me. So I’ll do the same.” His manicured nails dig into the skin before he releases me.

“You’re going to kill me?” If that’s the case, I guess I don’t need to hush. “Then get it over so I don’t have to look at you anymore.”

For added effect, I coil up a wad of saliva and spit it towards his face.

It lands on his chest, but I’m sure he understands the intention.

“No, you petulant brat,” he growls, red mottling his throat. “I’m claiming you as my own. I’m going to fuck an heir into you so Sergy rolls in his fucking grave.”

Gross. The thought of him touching me makes me gag.

“I barely even knew him. He died like six years ago. What the hell is wrong with you?” I try and fail to twist around in the chair, but I’m tied too tightly.

The flame of his lighter flares in front of his face before the acrid smoke from his cigar billows over me. “Oh, you see, Sergy still lives on. And there are those who betrayed me that would be very upset to hear of our fruitful joining.” He drops his hand to his black trousers and rubs his palm over the bulge in his crotch. “You’re feisty. It will be a pleasure—” His fingers snake out andwrap around my throat, then he squeezes until the room starts to fade. “—to break you.”

When he lets go, the burning air fills my lungs until I cough in his face.

“You’re a monster,” I croak, still sputtering.

“Hmm, so I’ve been told.” He takes a long inhale before puffing small circles into the still room. “I can be quite a benevolent master, though. As long as you mind.”

“So, if I disobey, you’ll put me out of my misery?” I can see the writing on the wall.

I hate him already.

“Quite the contrary. I will bestow hell on earth and make you beg for death until the day I finally die.” His grin is sinister and doesn’t reach the dark pits of his eyes.

---