Page 50 of Seductive Desires

They dragged me through a long hallway. Every door that I passed led to an empty room littered with trash and covered in spray paint. Squatters probably frequented here, which would account for the smell. It smelled like an outhouse, the pungent smell nearly overtaking me as we passed by a bathroom. I fought the urge to gag.

I stumbled twice as they led me down the stairs. It was too dark to see much and they moved too fast for me to keep up. Both times, the larger one had to yank me back so I didn’t topple and knock his friend down the stairs. By the time we reached the basement one floor down, my arm was sore. I tried to jerk free, I could walk on my own, but they only gripped me harder. We passed down the dark passage to the one room with a light shining under the door. The skinny one knocked once and entered without waiting. The bigger one shoved me through the door, smirking when I stumbled and had to catch myself.

I had to fight back tears when I finally looked around the room. Mateo was at Stephen’s feet, shirtless and bleeding. I could barely recognize him. Stephen stood over him with an evil smile on his face, his gun pointed at Mateo’s head. It was my worst nightmare come to life right before my eyes.

ChapterTwenty-Four

“Anna!I’m so glad you could make it.”

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. Like I had any other choice, asshole. I kept waiting for the fear to show up like it always did, leaving me almost catatonic in his wake. Instead, fury whipped through me with gale forces. I clenched my jaw.

“Alright. I came like you wanted. Let him go.”

Stephen raised his eyebrows, shooting me a smug look. “Hey, hey, hey. What’s the rush? I was just telling your boyfriend how much you missed me. This is a happy reunion, he should be a part of it.”

I gave him a withering look. “Stop stalling, Stephen. Let him go.”

His smile dropped. He didn’t like that I was arguing with him. Usually by now, I’d be a blubbering mess.

“You aren’t in charge here, Anna. I am. He goes when I say he does. Keep pushing me, I dare you.”

I lifted my chin, glaring at him. I stayed silent for Mateo’s sake. I needed to keep Stephen talking though so Dmitriy could get here. They had to stay far enough behind that Stephen wouldn’t know they were following me, which meant that I had to stall for who knows how long. I raised an eyebrow at him.

“I don’t like this new attitude, Anna. It’s not like you.” His hand holding the gun dropped as his focus moved solely to me. I wanted to keep it that way so I loosened my tongue a little.

“What? Not man enough to handle a woman with a spine? Prefer them weak willed and sobbing?” I scoffed. “You’re after the wrong woman then, you piece of shit.”

His eyes went wide, his nostrils flaring. He bared his teeth at me. “I’m going to enjoy training this behavior out of you, Anna. A few years tied to my bed will have you singing an entirely different tune.”

My stomach turned over at the thought but I pushed the image away.

“Yeah, because that’s the only way you can get a woman to sleep with you. Sick bastard.” It was terrifying but also incredibly exhilarating to finally say all the things I’ve wanted to say to Stephen over the years. He’s haunted my steps for so long, I had a lot to say. “Tell me something, Stephen. What does mommy dearest think about you chasing after the one person in the world she wishes was dead? Think she’ll sit nicely at the wedding and not say a peep?”

He scowled at me. “She’ll do as she’s told, just like you will. I don’t need her permission.”

I smirked. “Really? Who’s going to pay for it? You think Greg will? That man wanted me gone the minute I showed up on his doorstep. He’s not going to fund a wedding to tie me farther into his dream family.”

Stephen’s face turned red, his free hand clenching and unclenching at his side. He was starting to twitch. I was riding a fine line now on how angry I could make him before he snapped.Please hurry Dmitriy.

I jerked my arms again, trying to free them. “Tell your friends to let me go, Stephen. Or can’t you handle one little girl?” I was baiting him. I needed my hands free so I could protect Mateo when the time came.

He moved slowly away from Mateo and toward me, raising his gun and pressing it against my forehead. I narrowed my eyes, unmoving. “You’re a real bitch, you know that?” He pushed the muzzle against me lightly before pulling back, jerking his chin at his guards. They released me. I resisted the urge to rub at the sore spots.

He took a few steps back, standing next to Mateo again. He gestured to him with the gun. “You like what I did? He already had a few bruises on him when I showed up, so I figured it was a look he was going for and added a few more. He’s not so pretty anymore, is he?”

I dropped my gaze to Mateo momentarily. He still hadn’t looked up and it worried me. When I looked back at Stephen, I raised my eyebrow. “Let me guess, you had your lackeys hold him down while you sucker punched him. You’ve never been enough of a man to fight your own battles. Here’s another question. Who’s backing you? I know you covered up Ben’s murder. You aren’t smart enough to pull that shit off all on your own.”

Stephen barreled toward me, screaming in my face. “Shut the fuck up! You are the reason that little shit died, and you’ll be the reason this one does too!” He jabbed his finger at Mateo. He tapped the gun against his forehead. “You’re trying to mess with my head, Anna, and it won’t work. You aren’t that smart. It’s one of the reasons I always liked you. Dumb bitches like you do as they’re told.”

I snorted, which only seemed to piss him off more. Good. I wanted him unfocused. Angry people make stupid decisions.

“You and me, we belong together, Anna. It’s time you realize that. Your mother died so we could be together. Your boyfriend in Seattle died so we could be together. This one has to die too, so you can finally realize that we belong together.” He stepped a foot back, heading toward Mateo again.

“No,” I snarled.

He froze, his brows scrunched. He looked like an ape. “What?”

“I said no. No matter what happens, we will never end up together. I would rather die now than let you touch me. You are going to die all alone. No one will ever love you.” Oh that felt good to say. I’ve wanted to say that since I was fifteen.

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