Page 142 of Born in Depravity

Henry hadn’t changed one bit.

He was in the same black suit he wore when we first met. His brown hair seemed to have lost most of its gleam, and the lighting in the house showcased every single wrinkle on his mean face. I turned my attention away from him and followed Damien out into another room just next to the dining room.

Drinks were being passed around, and everyone looked as if this was just a regular dinner party. I tried not to peer at any of the women for too long.

Damien grabbed a glass of champagne, with Nikolay staying by my other side. Damien turned to me and leaned down so he could whisper in my ear.

“You remember that treat I brought you?”

I nodded, smiling a little.

“I know the kitchen staff has made some. Why don’t you go in there and get a treat?”

I bit my lip and looked between Nikolay and Damien. Walking away from them?

Was that safe?

“Everyone here knows you’re with us. Anyone who dares touch you will leave this house without his hand.”

This was said loudly enough for everyone to hear.

I still wasn’t sure if I wanted them out of my sight, but I knew Damien was trying to get me away from this scene as much as he could.

I nodded, and Nikolay flagged down one of the ladies who worked here. It was the same one who’d brought me my meals since I got here.

“Take her to the kitchen for some dessert,” Nikolay said. The lady nodded and bowed her head slightly.

I looked back at them before I hesitantly followed her.

We didn’t talk on the way there, for obvious reasons, but by the time we got to the kitchen, the lady spoke in a language I didn’t understand to the people there, and suddenly, the same kind of cake Damien had brought to the room was now placed in front of me.

I smiled a little, and the lady’s eyes softened as she took me in.

I grabbed her forearm and squeezed a little—my thanks.

She nodded before walking away and going back to work.

I didn’t want to eat in front of the kitchen staff, especially when I didn’t know their situation. And I didn’t want to stay away from Nikolay or Damien for too long.

I walked out of the kitchen, keeping my eyes on my plate. I didn’t know Petrov very well, but I didn’t think he would take too kindly to me dropping the cake and possibly staining his expensive rug.

My mistake was not watching where I was going.

The attack came out of nowhere.

I was slammed against the wall, the back of my head roughly hitting the wall and bouncing back. I let out a small groan in pain. The plate of cake fell and smashed on the white rug below me.

When I looked up, I met angry brown eyes.

My eyes widened in fear as Henry grabbed a fistful of my hair and yanked it to the side.

“You bitch,” he said, his hot breath tinged with alcohol fanning across my face, tickling my gag reflex.

I shook my head and he laughed.

“What? Trying to look innocent? You didn’t run away because you were set to marry me? You’d much rather be the whore to three ruthlessbastardosthan be my wife? You’re going to regret that.”

He moved his hands down, cupping my breasts and squeezing softly. “You must have some fucking pussy to get them to act like this around you.” He grinned. “You think the ‘Mute Princess’ would tell them all the dirty things I do to her?”

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