Alexei leaned forward. “Correction. Smells like it.”
They laughed.
My jaw clenched. Blood pooled under my tongue. I said nothing.
Chernov lifted a finger. “Drink. Let’s be civil.”
A servant brought a cup to my lips. I didn’t trust it—but I drank anyway. Weakness tasted like cool relief, until it turned.
Bitter. Warm. Wrong.
I gagged. Spat.
Their laughter echoed around the room.
“That was my piss,” Chernov said, smiling like he’d just made art. “A royal pour.”
The rage came fast—violent and pure. I wanted to lunge. To rip his throat out with my teeth.
But I was tied down. Still. Helpless.
Chernov leaned in. His voice dropped. “Don’t worry. You won’t die yet.”
His eyes glittered.
“Luna’s on her way.”
My heart stopped.
“No,” I rasped. “Impossible. My men...”
“She walked in, Misha. No guards. No backup. Just like I told her.”
He smiled wider.
“She wants to see you. She wants to save you.”
He stood slowly. “So I’ll reward her. I’ll fuck her right here in front of you. Make sure you hear every scream.”
Something cracked inside me.
Not bones.
Something deeper.
I didn’t flinch. Didn’t give him a reaction. But inside—I was fire.
Alexei shifted in his seat, grinning. “Won’t I get a taste too, brother?”
Chernov didn’t miss a beat. “Of course,” he said, his voice smooth and low. “Even spineless Lev gets a turn. We’ll pass her around like a bottle of vodka.”
He leaned in close, his breath hot and sour against my skin.
“But let’s not forget,” he whispered, “she’s mine first. My prize. My plaything.”
They were still talking when his phone buzzed.
He answered it on speaker.