Frowning, I suddenly feel bad for him. But that only lasts for a moment when I realize I'm feeling bad for the man who is currently holding me captive. If Jackson wouldn't have seen me kill my husband, then he wouldn't have chased me. And I would be halfway across the world by now. Hell, I mightbehalfway across the world right now, considering I have no idea where we are, but my idea of escaping Pavel didn't involve being held hostage by a man I don't know or trust.
I've been held prisoner for far too long. I wanted nothing more than one thing — my freedom.
And now Jackson has stolen that from me just like everyone else in my life previously. All I have ever wanted was to be free, but I was never afforded the opportunity to be anything but property, someone's possession.
"Let me go, please. I'll figure things out on my own," I plead, begging him and even being able to summon up some fake tears for added effect. I've been in complete control of my emotions for so long now that I can turn them off and on as I please.
But my tears have no effect on Jackson, who simply tells me, "I'm sorry. I can't do that right now."
And with that, he inputs the code and walks out of the room. When I hear the door close and the beep signaling that I'm locked in here without any way out, I scream at the top of my lungs. My feet carry me to the door and I bang against the wood with all of my might.
If Jackson thinks he kidnapped an easy and docile prisoner, he's in for a rude awakening. I'm going to make his life a living hell, if it's the last thing I do.
CHAPTER 10
JACKSON
I'M SLEEPING SOUNDLY in my bedroom when I hear a soft creak. Groggily, I open my eyes and realize I'm not alone.
"Goddamn it, Wraith!" I yell in surprise, almost falling out of bed and practically jumping out of my skin when the Russian giant emerges from the shadows of the doorway.
"I have something you're going to want to see," he tells me enigmatically.
"Definitely getting you a fucking collar with a bell," I mutter under my breath. Sighing, I wave him to come forward. "Well, since this couldn't wait until I was actually awake, come on and show me."
He steps forward and hands me his cell phone, which shows an encrypted email with words in the Russian language. I can't tell what any of it says; but as if reading my mind, Wraith drags his finger along the email subject. "Wanted, alive. Bounty — a million dollars in Russian Rubles." And then he scrolls down to the picture, and I can't believe my eyes when I see Katerina's pretty face on the scanned makeshift wanted poster.
"Who's after her?" I ask, needing to know.
"TheBratva," he says. "The Russian mafia," he explains. "Her husband Pavel was very high up in pecking order for theBratva. Katerina made a grave mistake killing him."
I stand and begin to pace back and forth over the hardwood floor. "Why would she risk it? What did she have to gain?"
Wraith shakes his head. "I haven't found anything regarding her past yet, but there must be a reason."
"Yes," I agree with a nod. And I desperately want to find out.
"This email has been sent to a lot of bad men," he tells me. "The price on her head is too great to ignore. She will be hunted like a prized, rare animal."
Groaning, I stop pacing and swipe my hands down my face. Fuck, it's too early for this shit. I'm running on barely three hours of sleep since I was checking on Lucien every half-hour to make sure he was okay and made it through the night.
I left him with Maria, who was happy to stay with him. I think she always saw Lucien like the son she never had, and I knew he'd be in good hands and that she'd let me know if anything was wrong.
"May I speak to the girl now?" Wraith asks.
"Sure, sure," I tell him with a wave of my hand. I walk to my door with Wraith following close behind. "If you need me, I'll be in Lucien's office with the biggest cup of coffee you've ever seen in your fucking life."
CHAPTER 11
KATYA
I EXPECT TO see Jackson again when the door opens the next morning, but I'm surprised when the Giant walks in my door.
He's carrying a delicious-looking breakfast — complete with three crispy pieces of bacon, which must be Jackson's doing — that makes my mouth water and my stomach grumble in protest. He sets it down next to my tray of uneaten food from last night, and it makes me physically ill to see all that food go to waste.
It feels like it's been so long since I've eaten, but I don't want to accept anything from my captor…or be drugged or poisoned.
So, instead of running toward the food, I turn my head away in silent protest.
