Page 84 of Beautiful Beast

I stare him straight in the eye. “Yes.”

His hands tighten on my waist, and he draws me in closer. “I’m not sure I believe you.”

“Believe whatever you want, but it’s the truth.”

“No, I think there’s more to it. You didn’t leave, not because you don’t have any other option, but because you just didn’t want to leave.”

“You think I like you enough to want to stay?”

He presses his forehead to mine. The edge of his mask digs into my skin. “I think you’re getting there.”

“I don’t like you, Erik,” I whisper.

“For some reason, I don’t believe you,” he whispers back. “Because if you absolutely despised me, you’d be trying harder to escape my grasp right now. You wouldn’t be leaning into my touch.”

I go still. “I want my freedom.”

“I know you do. But what makes you think you can’t have freedom with me?”

“Nadia—”

“This isn’t about Nadia. This is about you and me. No matter what happens to your sister, you’ll still be my wife. If you wanted, Anya, you could be free with me.”

“How?” My hands roam up his arms without even thinking about it. It’s just nice to touch him.

“You have power with me. Money. Status. You can travel anywhere in the world. You can buy anything you want. If you just give in to me, you wouldn’t be a prisoner.”

“I didn’t realize I was one.”

He gives me a pointed look. With his mask on, he looks particularly devilish. “Right now, I’m giving you the freedom to go where you want. But you’re always trying to escape. If you just gave in to us, you would be happier because you’d be free. I won’t hurt you, Anya.”

“You tortured me,” I whisper, gripping his arms tightly.

“I did. And I don’t want to have to do it again. If you just stopped fighting, you would be happier.”

“I can’t stop fighting for Nadia.”

“And what makes you think she wants you to fight so hard for her?”

His words are like a cold slap in the face, and I pull away from him. “Don’t talk like you know what my sister wants.”

“I’ve spoken to Nadia. She would do anything to see you safe, just like you do for her. I’m not sure she’s happy with you putting yourself in danger for her.”

“That’s because Nadia is selfless.”

“Your love for her will be your downfall.”

“Love can never be anyone’s downfall. Love can only make you stronger.”

He scoffs and leans back against the wall, crossing his arms. “Where did you learn that? On a Hallmark card?”

“But isn’t that what you want with me? For me to love you?”

“I said I wanted you to give in to us, but I never spoke about love.”

I shrug. “What’s the difference?”

“The difference is contentment. Being happy with me will make you content. But there doesn’t have to be love between us. There can just be … an understanding.”

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