Page 74 of Beautiful Beast

I think back to Elena and when I saw her at Ivan’s house, looking so small. I may be a monster, but I can’t imagine hurting someone like her.

And yet I keep hurting my wife, and I can’t seem to stop.

Carlos is still on the floor, alive by some miracle. I crouch over him and continue carving his face until the life leaves his body. At least I can be a monster in this regard.

This is where I belong.

ANYA

I find Viktor’s phone number in Erik’s address book. I’m shocked he has one. It seems so old school.

But I guess Erik is old school in some ways. Possessive, controlling, and all around evil.

My hands shake a little as I call Viktor.

“Who is this?” he asks after the third ring.

“It’s Anya.” When he doesn’t say anything, I add, “Erik’s wife.”

“I know who you are, Anya. You’re a hard woman to forget. Your father told me you tried to take Nadia away.”

“I just wanted to talk to you about that. You need to know it was all my idea. Nadia had no part in it. Please don’t hurt her because of it.”

“Nadia is not my wife yet. I do not own or control her. And I know you just want to protect her. But, Anya, you have to stop. We’ve spoken about this before. I will not beat Nadia once we’re married. And I won’t marry her for at least a couple of years. You can stop trying to get her to safety. She will be safe with me once we’re married.”

“There’s no way I can convince you to drop the betrothal? Just leave Nadia alone?”

“I have left her alone.”

“You know what I mean. Promise not to marry her.”

“I am a man who keeps my promises unless you screw me over. Then all bets are off. I do not blame Nadia for this. Now, stop asking me to call off the betrothal. I will not, and I doubt your father will either. Accept Nadia’s fate, and stop causing trouble.”

“That’s impossible.”

“Then Erik has his work cut out for him. Goodbye, Anya.” He hangs up.

With a scream, I toss my phone to the floor. Fortunately, it doesn’t break, but that doesn’t make me feel any better.

I’m running out of options to keep Nadia safe, and a part of me is starting to realize that Erik was right. The more I try to save Nadia, the more she’ll get hurt because of it.

The front door opens, and I hear Erik’s footsteps. When I go to see him, I stop in my tracks. He’s covered in blood, from his face to his pristine white shirt.

“What happened?”

“A fight happened.”

“Care to tell me more?”

He smirks as he steps right up to me, leaving no space between us. “Just a little problem with a gun shipment. I had to show them who’s boss.”

I snort. “Seriously? Who’s boss?”

“I’m the boss, or am I not?” Grabbing my waist, he pulls me flush against him.

“You have blood on you. It’s not sanitary.”

“Don’t worry. As long as none gets in your eyes or mouth, you’re golden.”

---