I shift slightly, testing the restraints again. They hold.
Mikhail notices and smiles faintly. "Don't. It won't help."
I snarl, "You enjoying this?"
His smile fades. "Enjoyment isn't part of my job."
"You shocked me twice. Dragged me here. Watched me get slapped around. Pretty sure you're enjoying every minute of this," I seethe.
Mikhail shrugs one shoulder. "Orders."
"So you're just an order taker?" I dig.
Mikhail's eyes darken. He warns, "Watch your mouth."
I snort. "Or what? You're going to hurt me again?"
He takes a moment to assess me, then his voice drops. "Blue's always made stupid decisions."
I hiss, "Blue didn't do anything wrong. Shut your mouth about her."
He scoffs, "You think this is about right and wrong?"
"No. It's about control. And he doesn't own her."
Mikhail's gaze sharpens. "Careful."
"Don't speak about her while I'm still breathing," I threaten.
He huffs a humorless laugh. "You're breathing because two powerful men are arguing about you like a piece of property."
The truth of it settles heavily in my chest. I stare at the wall and force my thoughts back into order. Blue's face flashes behind my eyes, her smile this morning, the way she curled into me like she trusted the ground beneath her feet because I was there.
I promised I'd call.
She's going to be worried.
Is she spiraling?
Mikhail watches me, then says quietly, "I warned you. Several times."
"That you did," I agree.
"So why didn't you just listen?" he asks.
A smile forms as I reply, "I love her. Do you have any idea what it's like to really love a woman?"
A tortured expression appears on his face. Before he can answer, the door opens again.
Maksim steps back into the room with Adrian and Obrecht in tow. The air tightens. Adrian looks restrained by force of will alone. Obrecht looks unhappy and grinds his molars.
Maksim stops in front of me, close enough that I can see the fine lines at the corners of his eyes. He studies me openly, neither unkind nor sympathetic. He continues to assess me, then speaks in English. "You understand why this happened?"
"Yes," I say.
"You involve yourself with my niece. You challenge her father."
"I didn't challenge him. I chose her. He doesn't own her. She's an adult, and there's a difference," I argue.
