Even though all my instincts screamed not to take my eyes off him, I pulled back and quickly glanced over Gemma for any injuries. Relief swirled through me as I took in her relaxed, albeit drunk, expression.
She was safe. I’d make sure it stayed that way.
“Nice tomeetyou, Alisa,” Roman said, his smirk taking on a cruel edge.
A knock pounded behind us, and I immediately zeroed in on the window that let out onto a rickety fire escape. If that was one of Roman’s men knocking…
Fingering the knife in my purse, my body tensed when Gemma opened the door–
To reveal her irritated looking landlord.
With an apologetic look, Gemma stepped into the hallway.
“What do you want?” I snarled at Roman the moment the door closed behind us. My heart hammered at the realization that I was alone with Roman in Gemma’s tiny apartment.
“I wouldn’t be taking that tone with me. I’m dating your best friend… who happens to have no idea what you actually do for a living.”
His words triggered images of Natalya’s slumped corpse.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I said, my hand shaking. “Your girlfriend just died, and you’ve already moved on like it meant nothing.”
Roman’s jaw tightened, but he remained silent.
“Wait a second,” I said, the pieces lining up. “You’ve been dating them both this entire time haven’t you?”
“We aren’t here to talk about my relationships,” he spit out the word. God, Natalya had trusted this piece of shit over me, and he’d been two-timing her this entire time. “I’m here to remind you what happens if you talk to Dmitri.”
For the first time since I’d entered the room, uneasiness spread across Roman’s face. Understanding swept through me.
This had nothing to do with the competition ending. He was worried I’d tell Dmitri what Roman had done to me.
“You’re scared,” I said.
Roman scowled, but I didn’t miss the momentary flash of fear in his eyes. “I’m not scared of shit.”
Liar.
Chapter fifty-one
Alisa
I leaned back against the wall, wishing I could move even further away from Roman.
“Really?” I said. “Then why are you dangling Gemma’s safety if you’re not worried?”
I kept my voice nonchalant, but internally my insides were turning over and twisting themselves into knots. The memories of the last time I was alone in a room with Roman threatened to overwhelm my rational mind.
I discreetly moved my hand out of his view to hide the growing tremor. I couldn’t appear weak to him. Roman was a predator and he’d pounce at the slightest opportunity.
Roman’s scowl deepened, and I bit down on the inside of my cheek to keep from showing how much he was affecting me.
“I’m not the one who should be worried, Alisa. Dmitri might be playing house with you now, but once he gets bored, he’ll throw you out.”
Sadistic light flashed in Roman’s eyes. My mind howled for me to walk right out that door, and separate myself from thisnightmare. Instead, I stayed rooted to the spot as he slowly approached me.
“Once that happens, I’ll finish what I started that night.” His finger caressed down my jaw. I tried to flinch away, but I was trapped against the wall with nowhere to go to. “Andthis time, I’ll give you a reason to scream.”
Images overwhelmed my mind as the back of his hand slowly moved down my throat. Past and present merged as the nightmare of that night threatened to become reality now.
