Page 14 of Marked (Russian Sinners 1)

I kept telling that to myself but it still didn’t stop my mind from envisioning her tied to my bed, blindfolded with her legs spread, waiting for me.

Fuck, I would have to make sure to keep my distance from this woman. No woman had ever made me react like this sleeping beauty next to me.

Chapter Six

Anastasia

Iwoke up with a jolt, my eyes darting around ready to defend myself. But there was nobody to defend from. The two guys that saved me, stood outside the vehicle speaking in a rushed tone to another guy. I watched them as they interacted, all three standing there grim. They looked to be similar ages, all three built strong and tall. They looked intimidating.

I barely shifted and all three men swiftly turned their eyes on me. Dangerous and beautiful, all three of them struck me as predators.

Dimitry with his dark hair and those gunmetal grey eyes seemed like the sort that didn’t miss anything and would use everything mercilessly against you. Nikolai with his blue eyes, dark hair, and scar that ran down across his cheek made you slightly uncomfortable, as if he was preparing to get into another fight and didn’t care whether he earned another scar. The third guy I had never seen. He appeared to be the same age. Although he wasn’t as tense as the other two, I got the sense he was just as ruthless.

Dimitry stepped over and opened the door. I glanced down at myself and noticed an unfamiliar jacket.

My hands reluctantly went to remove it when Dimitry stopped me. “Keep it on.”

“Thanks,” I murmured. My body hurt and I winced as I stepped out of the car, gripping the large jacket around me. I wanted to hide as much of my body as possible. There was no doubt in my mind I looked and smelled horrible. I desperately wanted to clean myself up, but instead remained standing there watching all three of them warily.

Stepping away from all three of them, my eyes never left them. Glued to my spot, I held my ground, ready to defend myself if they got some ideas to get too close to me. I kept all anxiety, worry, and fear off my face.

“Remember Nikolai,” Dimitry interrupted the silence. I nodded, my hand slightly trembling as I went to move a piece of hair out of my face. I inhaled sharply, noting dry blood all over my hand. My eyes searched frantically over myself to see where it came from.

“It’s not yours,” Nikolai’s deep voice stopped my panicked search. I swallowed hard.

“Oh, okay.” My voice was barely audible but all three of them heard me. It was odd because I didn’t remember how the blood got on me. But then it was all a blur. A man tried to rape me, he crumbled to the ground, shot, presumably dead, and I was rescued.

“Since Dimitry won’t introduce me, I’m Sergei.” My eyes went to the third man. He had blonde hair and brown eyes, but just like the other two, there was adon’t fuck with mevibe. While Dimitry’s and Nikolai’s accents were barely detectable, Sergei’s was rather noticeable.

He took a step forward and went to reach his hand out for a handshake but before my brain could process it, my instinct took over, and I automatically took a step back.

Realizing what I’d done, I wrapped the jacked around me even tighter, my knuckles hurting with the tight grip.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. He didn’t deserve for me to act like he was some kind of disease. “I… it was a reflex.”

“No worries.” He didn’t seem to take it to heart.

I felt out of place among these men. I wished to be on my way back home, to my own place, and my own bed among people and family I knew. I didn’t want to be around strangers.

I glanced around, ensuring I continued to keep my eye on the three men here so I wasn’t blindsided. There was a large mansion, men roaming around in the far distance as if they were keeping watch. Maybe they were, maybe they wanted to ensure I was safe. After all, they did work for my dad. Didn’t they?

I wanted to know who they were; who did they work for? I asked Dimitry earlier but he never answered. My dad should have really elaborated on who these guys were.

Dimitry's voice had me turning my gaze to him. “There is a doctor that can check you out and make sure you are okay.”

I met those grey eyes, and a small sense of hope came over me. I was free and safe. An overwhelming feeling flooded me, and for the first time in two weeks, I felt like I would truly break down. Maybe I reached my breaking point.

I blinked my eyes to ensure I wouldn’t start crying. Pain and discomfort radiated inside and outside. It wasn't just in thanks to the assholes that had taken me, but to the fear and panic that I was once again alone, fighting for my survival, and trying to find a way back home. The darkness and helplessness of those tortuous nights fifteen years ago plagued me during my captivity over the last two weeks. A shiver of fear ran through my mind and body.

But it wasn’t the right time to lose my shit. First, I had to be alone. I wouldn’t show these men that I was weak. I took a calming breath in, then exhaled.

“Thank you,” I spoke softly, my voice dangerously close to sounding like a whimper. “I would really like to take a shower first.” I realized too late, it sounded more like a command. I was truly grateful to them for saving me, but I felt gross and dirty in my current state. “Please,” I added.

“Sure,” Dimitry answered. “I can show you to your room and your bathroom.”

Sergei said something in Russian and Dimitry stiffened slightly, then spat something back at him. Although neither man looked at me, I had a distinct sense whatever they were saying, it had something to do with me.

I watched them both, waiting… not sure for what. I hated feeling vulnerable and clueless. Then I decided I’d had it with Russians and their damn language.

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