Page 8 of The Bratva's Virgin Bride

When he doesn't let go of me and instead tries to force me out of the bedroom, I collapse on the ground and start crying. “I don't want to be taken to some unknown location again. I want to know what's going on.”

Viktor kneels beside me. “We don't have time for this.”

“I'm not going anywhere with you in my pajamas.” I know I sound stubborn, but I need to stand up for myself. I'm shaking, but I don't care. I'm not going with him without an explanation and without getting dressed.

“Then get dressed,” he says irritably.

“With you watching?” I ask incredulously.

He sighs and turns around. Unsure of what to do now, I get up and pull on my clothes slowly. “Where are we going?”

“Somewhere safe,” he says, staring out the window.

“Where? I don't like not knowing where I'm going to be. Does Gwen know?” I fire the questions at him.

“I can't reach her or Roman, so you're just going to have to trust me,” he says quickly. “I would never do anything to harm you.”

“I don't know that,” I say earnestly. He turns around as I finish pulling on my bottoms.

“Put comfy shoes on. You won't need to pack anything.”

“What do you mean, I won't have to pack anything? Where am I going?” I ask again.

“I told you, I'm here to keep you safe.” He reaches for my arm and I back away.

“Stop grabbing me,” I hiss. “You don't need to touch me.”

“Well, you're not moving, so I feel like I have to,” he groans.

“Because you're being creepy,” I insist. “Get out of my room. When I'm good and ready, I'll come find you downstairs.”

“You aren't safe here,” he says. “I'm not leaving you alone for one moment.”

I feel a rush of fear and sit on my bed, putting a hand over my heart. “Please, just leave me alone. I never wanted any of this.”

“It's too late for that now. You're in on it and it's happening. I need to protect you while Roman isn't here and I'm doing it the only way I know how.” He stands over me menacingly. He reaches for my arm again, but I start screaming.

“No! I don't want to go with you. I don't want to leave this place. I am safe here. I have been safe here since I've gotten here and nothing you say or do can make me leave.”

Viktor looks frustrated and runs a hand over his hair. He's handsome in the moonlight and for a brief moment, it dawns on me that he's better looking than Roman, but my fear overrides that thought and I can't help but wonder what he intends to do with me. The few times I've bumped into him, he's always looked at me in a predatory sort of way. As though I'm prey he's stalking, and it's disconcerting, to say the least.

“I need to brush my teeth,” I say suddenly, trying to stall for time.

Viktor sighs. “Make it quick.”

I get up and go to the bathroom, shutting the door. He opens it again. “Don't shut the door. I need to keep an eye on you.”

“I need to relieve myself,” I say coldly, shutting it again. There's no lock on this door, so I simply wait and when he doesn't open it, I sit down on the lid of the toilet. My heart is hammering in my chest and I don't know what to do with myself. I don't need to relieve myself, but at the same time, I feel like I'm going to soil myself in a panic. He's being so pushy and so demanding. I don't know what to do with him. I wish I'd brought my phone with me so I could try to call Gwen and ask her to intervene. I wonder if I can do that when I go out of the bathroom.

I brush my teeth slowly, taking extra long to delay him further. I can hear him muttering to himself outside the door. I wash my face and jump slightly when he bangs on the door. “Hurry up.”

“Hold your horses,” I snap.

I can feel the tears starting again, and I look at myself in the mirror. I look tired and worn out. The lack of sleep is really getting to me. I need some coffee. Coffee. That's a brilliant way to stall while I try to reach Gwen. I will make some coffee and make him wait for me. I go out of the bathroom and look at him. “I want to try to call Gwen.”

“There's no time,” he groans. “Jesus, are all women this difficult to save?”

“You're not saving me from anything. I'm perfectly safe.”

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