Page 11 of Corruption

Alik raises an eyebrow at me, staring at me as though I’m a mystery to be solved. A present to be unwrapped.

I look down and stuff a potato in my mouth to avoid his gaze.

“Well, what about something you like?” Nadia asks.

“You should tell them about your art, Kiya,” Addy suggests. Then she adds to Nadia, “She’s quite talented.”

“You’re an artist?”

“It’s just a hobby,” I say.

“My credit card statement says differently,” Adrian mutters.

I may have been coerced into being Adrian’s daughter, but I was given all the perks that came with it. Including access to a credit card, a driver, and security (escorts to make sure I don’t run away) if I wanted to leave the house. I stayed within the limits of buying necessities the first time. Then the next time, I went to an art store and bought the supplies my mother never would because she thought art could never be a career and she wasn’t going to financially support me my entire life. The supplies I couldn’t afford when I ran away.

I expected them to say something. To tell me I wasn’t allowed to have it and that I had to take it back. But they didn’t. Addy even took one of my quick sketches, of Adrian sleeping in a chair one night with Aiden sleeping on his chest, to frame in her office. And the oldest children, my pseudo siblings, all demanded I do sketches of them to hang in their rooms.

Despite the kidnapping circumstances, it felt like having a real family. And just when I thought I could get used to it, I was traded away to… this.

“Alik draws,” Nadia says.

I perk up to look at the man, finding myself grow more comfortable with talking when it’s about my art.

“You do?” I ask

“Yes,” Alik answers simply.

“What do you draw?”

Nadia grins, and says, “Naked Russian girls.”

I feel my cheeks heat up.

“Nadia.”

“Okay. I’ll stop.”

“Please,” Vaughn says, glaring at Nadia, and then says to his brother, “Get a handle on your wife, brother.”

“I’ll make sure to see to it,” Alik assures.

That only makes Nadia smile wider for some reason. Like she’s looking forward to Alik “handling” her.

Nadia continues to me, “You’ll have to come to the house and see some of it.”

“Trying to steal my future wife from me and corrupt her already?” Vaughn asks.

He tries to make it seem teasing. But I hear something else there. Envy. Possession. Anger just simmering beneath the surface.

“Never corrupt. Besides, she’ll be staying with you up until the wedding in March. I’m sure she can find some time,” Nadia replies.

I had managed to forget that detail until just now. With Nadia’s reminder. I’ll be staying with Vaughn so we can get to know each other, and he can properly woo me before our wedding in just three months. So I won’t have to marry a virtual stranger.

“Plenty of time to get to know you and let her indulge in her hobbies,” Nadia adds.

Vaughn looks at me contemplatively, and I have to hold my fork tightly to keep from shuddering in fear as he says, “Yes. Plenty.”

5

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