Page 13 of Twisted Union

I wait for him to continue, but that’s all he says. “You’re not going to explain more, are you?”

“All in good time. Now, just sit back and relax. We’ll be home soon.”

“So, you treat all your prisoners like your guests?”

“Just the pretty ones.” His voice makes me blush, and I’m not a blusher. “You can keep talking all you want, Gemma. But you’re mine now. No use in trying to escape or talk your way out of it. Just go along with it, and everything should be fine for you.”

“Shouldbe?”

He throws his head back and laughs. “You’re a hoot.” He winks. “I like you.” He maneuvers over the center console to sit in the passenger seat.

I don’t bother asking more questions since I know Viktor won’t answer them. I just need to focus on getting out of here, even though I have no idea where to start. All I can think about as I’m taken farther away from my family is the last words I said to my mom.

I hate you.

And now, I may never see her again.

CHAPTER3

Gemma

The van finally stops after around an hour. I tried tracking the time but lost count after about fifteen minutes. That shit is hard to do without a watch.

I even tried looking out the front window, but Viktor promptly told me to sit back down, so I couldn’t see anything.

Now, I sit up, eager to be out of this stupid van that smells like old socks. A stain is on the opposite wall, and I don’t even want to know where it’s from. Viktor opens the back door, motioning me out. When I land beside him, he grabs my arm and walks me up a long driveway to a huge, sprawling Victorian mansion. We’re not in the city any longer; that much is obvious. I look around for a street sign but don’t see any. The driver remains in the van, taking off and leaving me and Viktor behind.

“He’s not staying?” I ask.

“Nope. It’s just you and me.” I shiver at the deep rumble of his voice.

It’s pointless for me to even try and run. Viktor is much stronger and faster than I am, and I don’t even know where I am. I need to bide my time and figure out a plan before making a move. I’m not about to give up my freedom to some psychopath intent on using me in his schemes.

The house is beautiful, I’ll admit. With sweeping towers that look like they almost touch the clouds and gorgeous painted designs on the walls, it looks like something out of a gothic novel. I check for any guards patrolling the house, but there aren’t any. Viktor opens the door with a flourish of his hand and nudges me inside.

I step over the threshold, knowing my life will never be the same.

Inside, the walls are painted a deep blue, and the hardwood floors gleam in the light, looking like they’ve just been washed. A large staircase dominates the foyer. Archways lead off the front hallway into rooms of unknown.

“Welcome home.”

“This isn’t my home,” I snap.

He just laughs and walks upstairs. I look into the first archway to see a huge living room with furniture that matches the Victorian aesthetic. Does Viktor think he’s some kind of Byronic hero? I wouldn’t put it past him, given how insane and delusional he seems.

I take one step into the living room when Viktor calls, “Don’t even think about running.” I jump back, looking up at him. “Follow me.” I grumble under my breath but do as I’m told.

Once upstairs, Viktor takes me down a long hallway decorated with wallpaper I swear hides faces. Maybe Viktor collects the souls of his victims and sticks them in the wallpaper … I shake my head at the idea. I’ve been reading too much gothic literature lately. Then it hits me. I’ll probably never get to read a book again or see my family again or do anything again because I’m Viktor’s prisoner. This is my new present, and it fucking sucks.

He shows me to a grand room that’s much bigger than my room back home. It’s straight out of a historical romance with gauzy curtains, a king-sized bed with white sheets, and more of that creepy wallpaper. I stop in the doorway.

Viktor motions me forward. “Come on, Gemma.”

“What’s going to happen in that room?” My heart begins to beat faster while my back sweats. “I’m not going into a bedroom with you. Not at all.”

He blinks before he laughs. “You think I’m going to rape you? Oh, Gemma.” He squeezes my arms. “I don’t need to rape you. When the time comes, you’ll come to my bed willingly.”

“That will never happen.”

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