Feeling proud of myself for that, I start to head back in Alek’s direction. I can see him waiting for me across the large lobby.
But that’s when Rocko enters my field of vision.
“Katya, hello.”
I stop. “Hi.”
“Where’s your husband?”
I point to where Alek is. He’s currently on his phone, talking to someone, and isn’t looking in my direction. I could make a run for it. But he’s the one who has my passport. I’d never be able to get back to New York on my own. I have no money.
But I could borrow someone’s phone and call Dimitri… except, I don’t have his phone number memorized. It was always in my phone, so I took it for granted. I have no way of letting Dimitri know where I am.
And Alek is burrowing himself deeper inside of me. I let him place his hand between my legs. Let him give me an orgasm. That’s a problem. The more Alek takes me from Dimitri, the less I am going to want to return home.
Already, I don’t miss my room as much as I once did and it’s only been a few days since Alek kidnapped me. Everything has happened so fast.
Rocko turns back to me with a smile that makes me uncomfortable. “You know, Alek and I had a falling out a few years ago.”
“Oh?” I had gotten the sense earlier in the night that Alek didn’t like Rocko but he hadn’t explained much on the exact why.
“Yes. Alek is a stubborn sone of a bitch when he wants to be. I’ll be honest. I hated him for a while there.”
“What happened?”
“He tried to kill me.”
My blood runs cold. Alek also tried to kill my brother and look where that has taken me. Kidnapped.
“I don’t understand,” I whisper.
“You are truly an innocent, aren’t you? Alek tried to kill me because he thought I had stolen from him. I didn’t. But he didn’t let me explain. I escaped with my life but we’ve been on tense terms ever since. But since I live here and he lives in New York, it hasn’t been a problem. Until he showed up here tonight. As if nothing was wrong. As if he never tried to kill me.”
“I’m sorry. But I really need to return to Alek now.”
Rocko grabs my arm before I can walk away. It’s tight and it hurts and I can’t help but wince. “I think Alek needs to be taught a lesson. You’re coming with me.” He hauls me away from Alek and towards the front door. The lobby is filled with people, making it easy to disappear into.
I know I should scream. Alek would come running if I did. But I can’t make any noise. Panic has reached into my throat and shut me down. I’m as quiet as a mouse.
But right before Rocko forces me out the front doors, Alek catches my eye. He lowers his phone and looks between me and Rocko before he realizes what is happening.
He comes running in my direction but Rocko shoves me outside and holds onto me tight as he runs. I have no choice but to run with him or I’ll end up falling to the ground.
“Let me go,” I say but my voice has no strength in it. It’s pure weakness. I look back over my shoulder to search for Alek. Howironic, looking for my kidnapper. But I feel safer with Alek than I do Rocko, even if I have only known Alek for a few days. But in that time, I have felt myself changing. Growing.
Just from being outside of my room.
Rocko leads us to a car and pushes me into the backseat. I scramble to leave but he punches me in the temple and pain radiates up my head. I slump onto the seat and that allows Rocko to jump into the driver’s seat and take off before Alek can reach us.
Alek is running with all of his might but he can’t outrun a car.
As Rocko drives us away, I see Alek run for his own car but I’m not sure if he’ll be able to reach us in time. Reach me.
Rocko drives fast through the city until he comes upon an old, rundown house on the outskirts of the city.
“What are you doing?” I ask as he pulls me from the car.
“I saw an opportunity and I’m taking it. I want to hurt Alek the way he’s hurt me. It’s karma.”
