I collapse forward, dragging in a shaky breath, my chest tight, my pulse racing. Tears sting my eyes, more from the weight of it than anything else.
He goes back to his phone, ignoring me, as if I’m nothing more than a nuisance.
I stare at him, pressed against the door, shivering.
He isn’t a man. He’s a god of chaos.
And I’m his prisoner.
Eventually, the car slows.
I look out the window, expecting a warehouse or a dungeon in the industrial district. Instead, we are pulling into the underground entrance of theMorozov Hotel & Casino.
It’s a fortress of glass and steel piercing the city skyline. I’ve driven past it a thousand times, admiring its architecture and the luxury. I never knew the monster who lived at the top.
The car stops. The doors open.
Konstantin gets out and waits. He doesn't drag me. He stands there, adjusting his cuffs, and I know that if I don't get out, he will carry me.
I step out.
My legs shake on the concrete.
We bypass the lobby, avoiding the eyes of the guests.
We walk to a private elevator in the back. Brushed steel with no buttons.
Konstantin scans a key card before leaning in for a retinal scan.
Beep.
The doors open. We step inside, and they close behind us. The numbers on the digital display climb higher and higher until my ears pop.
We are leaving the world below. We are entering his sky.
The doors slide open.
Penthouse.
I step into a space that is more museum than home. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the entire city. The skyline is like a wallpaper of lights. The floors are polished obsidian, reflecting the darkness. The furniture is stark.
It’s beautiful.
And it’s a lifeless void. A mausoleum in the sky.
I walk to the glass to take in the view. I can't help myself.
The cars are specks of light, and the people are invisible. Up here, the wind doesn't howl. The city noise is gone. There’s only a thick, pressurized silence. It feels like being in space.
If I screamed, no one would hear me. If I pressed my hand against the glass, no one would see the print. I’ve never felt so high up. And I’ve never felt so buried.
"Lev," Konstantin barks.
The lieutenant appears from nowhere. "Boss."
"Take her bag," Konstantin orders. "Search it. Take her phone. Her keys. Her ID."
Lev steps forward. He rips the bag from my hand.
