I turn my face to see him, and Dad has never looked smaller than he does right now.
He chuckles, his nerves obvious in the way he grips his cigar. “We expected you weeks ago, like we discussed. When you didn’t come, we assumed you’d changed your mind.”
“Only an arrogant vermin like yourself would think thePakhanstill tolerates you after what you’ve done. I’m here now. And no, I didn’t change my mind.”
My sister’s lip quivers as she looks at Dad with teary eyes. “Daddy, please…”
The sound seems to twist something in our father’s heart because his casual pretense dies, replaced by a grave expression where his brows draw together.
“Anything else. Take anything else you want, but leave my Anya alone. Please.”
“Ah, begging me already?” A hum of amusement vibrates from Wolfgang’s chest. “Keep going. I quite enjoy it.”
I look around at the crowd and see my father’s friends looking at him. Pitying him. Anger surges in me at the humiliation Wolfgang is so obviously determined to show in front of everyone. He wants my father to suffer, and he wants the entire world to know who’s causing the suffering. That’s what you get for betraying thePakhan’s trust.
Slowly, so painfully slow, my father lowers himself to his knees, never leaving Wolfgang’s stare. I can’t believe he’s doing it.
“Please, I am begging you—”
Wolfgang lifts a finger into the air, reducing Dad to silence in the awkward position. Then, taking his phone out of the pocket of his slacks, he seamlessly dials a number that almost immediately picks up.
“You were right,” he says into the microphone. “He’s on his knees right now.”
I’m standing so close to him I can hear the other person on the other line.
“Of course he is. You owe me ten bucks.”
Ten bucks. He did this for ten bucks, when he’s a goddamn billionaire.
My hands clench into fists, nostrils flared at the humiliation he inflicts on my entire family. Making a mockery of us in front of everyone we know. In front of people who will laugh about this later, when this shitshow is over. Fire licks at my veins as I imagine the things they’re going to say.
The call ends as abruptly as it started. Wolfgang pockets his phone, then crosses his arms at his chest before bringing a hand to his chin. To those lush, sculpted lips, as if he’s considering what to do next. It’s all a pretense, by the looks of it.
He already knows exactly what he wants, and the shadows swimming in those cognac-colored irises prove it. I want to pry my eyes away from him, but he drags my gaze back when he speaks again.
“Very well, then. Anya stays.”
The entire room seems to sigh with relief. But not me. It can’t be that easy—whatever else he’s about to ask for in return will be much worse.
And when he turns to me, the look on his face confirms it.
“Say goodbye to your family, Victoria. We’re leaving.”
I can physically feel the blood draining from my face.
The room spins, a white haze webbing my vision, turning everyone around me into eerie ghosts. Into silhouettes I no longer recognize. I step back, and as if on cue, Wolfgang takes my hand.
The scars and calluses of his skin feel foreign to my body, and like an anchor, it’s enough to stop my mind from drifting. His touch sizzles,burns, takes control of me like a malevolent spell I can’t revoke.
This can’t be happening. It can’t. Itcan’t.
“My apologies for the short notice, love,” he murmurs. “But you’re coming home with me tonight.”
4
WOLFGANG
She should give in to me. It would be easier for her. But the way she braces herself, trying to pull her hand from mine, clearly shows it’s not what she has in mind.
