“Because I—” She lunges forward suddenly, teeth bared.
I jerk back just in time, avoiding her bite. My heart races, equal parts adrenaline and arousal. “Nice try,myshka.” I sighdeeply, my palms flat against the trunk. I shake my head. “You leave me no choice.”
“You fucking bastard! I’ll kill you, I swear to God!”
“I’m sure you’ll try,” I mutter, reaching for a syringe in my pocket. It’s loaded with a mild sedative—just enough to knock her out for a bit.
She must sense what’s coming because she doubles her efforts to escape. “Don’t you dare! I’ll—”
The needle slides into her neck before she can finish her threat. She gasps, her body going rigid in my arms.
“Shh,” I murmur, holding her steady as the sedative takes effect. My lips brush against her ear, and I feel her shiver. “Just relax.”
Her struggles weaken, her eyelids fluttering. “You… you motherfucker…”
twenty-nine
Clara
"Son of a motherless goat!” I groan; my eyes snap open. The room spins as I try to sit up. “Where the hell am I?”
My head feels like it’s been stuffed with cotton. “Urgh…” I blink, trying to focus. This isn’t the trunk of Leonid’s car.
Or some torture dungeon?
It’s… a bedroom?
The memory of Leonid injecting something into my neck flashes through my mind. My jaw tightens. That bastard. When I get my hands on him, I’ll…
No. Focus, Clara. Stay alive first, revenge later.
Something soft slides off my body. A blanket? I shove it aside, confused and irritated. What the hell? Who tucks in their prisoner?
I put my hands over my face, trying to clear my thoughts. That’s not important right now.
Get it together.
I struggle to my feet, nearly tripping over the plush carpet. “What the…?”
The room is dimly lit, a soft glow coming from a lamp in the corner. It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust, but as they do, I start to make out more details.
My eyes dart around the room. King-size bed. Fancy-ass chandelier. Even a mini-bar in the corner.
I look around for a way to escape. Damn. No windows.
“Shit,” I mutter, stumbling to the nearest wall. I run my hands over it, searching for any hidden panels. Nothing.
I try the door. Locked, of course.
“Come on, there must be some way to get out of here.”
A door to my left catches my eye. I push it open, revealing a bathroom that could be straight out of a five-star hotel. Marble countertops, a rainfall shower, and… is that a jacuzzi tub?
“What kind of fucked up game is this?” I whisper, running my fingers along the smooth edge of the tub.
My stomach churns as memories of the failed assassination attempt flood back.
“Fuck, fucking fucking shit fuck,” I curse under my breath.
