Chapter 10

“That wasn’t a very good idea, kitty cat,” I say, forcing her arm behind her back. “I wasn’t mad before. But now, I am.”

“Let me go, you bastard,” she spits, defiant to the end as she tries to land a blow with her free hand.

She’s strong, but I’m stronger. Her fist bounces off me.

I nod at my Glock. “Try it again, and you won’t be so lucky next time, hellcat.”

Her eyes are wild, but I recognize the defeat in them. I’ve seen it too many times before. She knows that if she does anything as stupid as trying to hit me, she’s going to catch a bullet.

But I’m not an idiot. I know Ekaterina is going to try to escape the first opportunity she can find.

“Your palace awaits.” I haul her out of the generator shed and lead her back to the cabin at gunpoint.

Guess I’m going to have to chain her up even better this time.

Chapter 3

KATYA

One thought haunts me when I wake up the next morning.

I shouldn’t have turned off that fucking light.

Damn it. It was a split-second decision. The light had been on when I’d slipped inside the generator shack after hearing the crunch of footfalls on the gravel driveway. When he’d gone into the cabin, I’d been ready to make a break for it, but I’d been worried about the stupid chain still attached to my ankle, afraid he’d hear it clinking in the silence and come running.

But with the light on, I knew I’d be a sitting duck if he looked inside. So I switched it off at the last moment—fuck my life—just as Andriani had been stepping back out the door. He’d gone still immediately as I watched him through the tiny crack I’d left open. And then he’d started coming for me.

I should have known I wouldn’t be able to escape him so easily.

I’d heard him go out the front door earlier, and I’d sprung into action, catching the duct tape on a sharp part of the bed’s metal frame I’d found earlier. Sheer adrenaline had taken over, and I’d thrown my entire body weight into the bed frame. I’dmanaged to break the welding on one of the decorative posts, and then I’d slipped the chain off.

But he hadn’t been gone long enough.

I failed.

And to make matters worse, I’m now in a different bed, my arms handcuffed to the headboard. I spent the night here, staring into the darkness, reliving my almost-escape until I finally passed out from exhaustion.

I shift on the mattress and open and close my fists as my fingers tingle with pins and needles. My bladder is full, and Andriani is nowhere in sight. Not that I expected him or even want him to be. The less I see of him, the better.

But I’m not sure how much longer I’m going to last.

My pride is pitching a fit. I’d rather die than beg Andriani to let me use the bathroom attached to the latest bedroom where I’m being held captive. Which, from my cursory examination of the place last night during my thwarted escape attempt, is the only other bedroom in this shithole. Two beds, two baths, a kitchen and living room combo. It’s a far cry from the place he originally took me and not at all what I’d expect of a Mafia kingpin’s secret lair.

Sunlight is leaking around the curtains and making shadows on the ceiling. If this is the bedroom Andriani usually uses, where did he sleep last night? For some reason, the thought of spending the night in his bed floods me with heat instead of anger and disgust.

My wrists hurt, and my hands feel like they’re about to fall off. We won’t even talk about the state of my bladder. I huff out a frustrated sigh and listen for the telltale sound of footsteps from another room, but I hear nothing but silence.

There’s no hope for it. I’m going to have to choke down my pride and get his attention.

“Andriani,” I call out.

No answer.

“Andriani, you psycho fuck,” I try a second time, louder.

I shouldn’t goad him. But if he wanted to shoot me, he could have last night. I’m worth more to him alive than dead right now, which means he’s using me as a bargaining chip to get something he wants from Misha. Just what that is, I couldn’t say.

Territory? Some kind of deal for property or protection or drugs?