Page 48 of Ruthless Bonds

I didn’t even know what to say for a moment. It was a prison sentence, and he couldn’t care less what it meant for me. Getting married and having children wasn’t the future I’d planned on having. I wanted to be free. I’d been so close. So damn close.

A silent scream built up inside of me, but I tried to control myself. “So let me get this straight. You want me to give up my entire life, the one that I love, and be trapped in this sham marriage where I’ll obey you, pop out your children, and spend my days taking care of this little army?”

His eyes narrowed, and he stepped forward, making me move back until my legs hit the back of the leather sofa and I plopped down into it. “Our marriage will not be a sham. I will be completely devoted to you, and I expect the same in return. You will have a beautiful life. And of course you’ll have access to the best nannies money has to offer. Anya, for one, would be delighted to watch over a little one.”

“I will not have some stranger taking care of our children,” I snapped.

His eyes lit with a fire, like he was pleased with my outburst, and I realized my mistake immediately. Ishook my head, biting my bottom lip. “No.” I pushed on his thighs so I could stand. “This is too much, Kreos. What happens if I say no?”

The transformation in him was immediate. His face hardened, tension rolling off his body. “Let me explain the situation you’re in, since you don’t seem to understand. I own you, remember? You gave me your life so that your brother could live.”

I was rooted to the spot, unable to move a muscle as he crowded me. He gripped my chin, lifting my head up so I had to meet his gaze.

“And last night, your sister killed a low-level piece-of-shit soldier in the Lombardi mafia. Do you know what would happen to her if they found out what she did?” His voice was soft and calm, but the threat was there, right in front of my face. Fear gripped me from the inside, freezing me in place.

There was no choice to be made here, only the illusion of one. Either I agreed and married him, or he would kill my family, or allow someone else to. Either way, they would be dead. He was the leader of the US branch of the Zokrov Bratva. I had no doubt in my mind that he would ruin me without so much as batting an eye.

I could run. Just say yes to everything now and then tonight grab Dove, remove our trackers, and escape. But his earlier words from outside the bar haunted me.

“There’s nowhere you can run where I won’t find you.”

As if sensing my need to flee, he weaved his hand through my hair and tugged gently.

“You’re mine, Alora. I will never let you go. Thesooner you accept your new role as my wife, the easier it will be for everyone.”

The room seemed to spin around me as I tried to fight back the tears. This couldn’t be real life.

“I think you need some time to reflect. Let’s get you back to your room.” He reached for my hand, but I jerked away from him with a glare.

“So be it.” He leaned down and picked me up, tossing me over his shoulder. Blood rushed to my head as I stared wide-eyed at his back.

“Kreos, put me down right fucking now,” I shouted as the floor changed from carpet to marble. His shoulder dug into my stomach as he went up the stairs, acting as if I weighed nothing. I pounded my fists against his back, which seemed to have no effect on him. When I sank my teeth into his muscular flesh, that earned me a hard slap on my ass.

This was so humiliating. I was sure everyone in the house was watching. When we got back to my bedroom, he tossed me on to the bed. His face was a blank mask.

“We’ll talk once you’ve calmed down. I suggest you take this time to think.” He left without saying another word, slamming the door behind him. Only when the distinct click of a lock echoed in my room did I run toward the door.

He wouldn’t actually lock me in here.

Yes, he would. Because he’d done exactly that. I yanked and pulled, but the door wouldn’t budge. I resorted to pounding on the door and yelling at the top of my lungs for someone to let me out. Surely Dove would hear me and get me free.

But she didn’t. Nobody did until three hourslater. But that was only so Nadya could bring me lunch, with gladiator Pyotr standing guard at the door. There was no way I was going to get past him.

Three hours turned into five, then eight, then it was time for dinner. Anya came this time. I tried pleading with her to let me go, that I was being held here against my will. She had the nerve to scoff and look offended that I would say something so bad about Kreos.

I barely touched my food. Maybe if I starved myself, they would let me out. But no one came the rest of the night. Not when I cried and begged, screamed and apologized all at the same time. A dull ache settled behind my eyes, my body exhausted, and I passed out on the floor in front of the door.

When I woke up in the morning, somehow, I was tucked in bed. The thought of Kreos sneaking in here and putting me in bed only infuriated me even more. If he knew so much about me, then he should know I could hold a grudge for decades.

Centuries even.

There was no way I would ever forgive him for locking me up like a prisoner.

The second day dragged on. My only contact was with Nadya, who brought me my meals and bags of brand-new clothes. At least she was friendly—it even seemed like I saw a flash of pity on her face when she brought me breakfast.

Kreos was right. All this time alone was giving me time to think. Essentially, in every single way I was going to make him regret this. He wanted a devoted wife? Maybe I could be so devoted, I could drive him insane.

At lunchtime, Nadya brought me my camera. I was grateful for something to do other than stare out the window into the massive forest that backed up to the property. The scenery was beautiful though, and I couldn’t help but snap some shots, especially when the sun went down. If he thought I would ever give up my dream of becoming a photographer, he was out of his mind.

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