I’m used to hard and fast sex, which this is not.
My heart cracks wide open as I make love to Nina, and the bond we share forms a bubble around us, blocking out the world.
Nina’s eyes begin to shine as she trails her fingertips over my jaw, and I see her feelings for me written all over her face before she whispers, “I love you.”
Hearing the words for the first time, I’m overcome with such contentment, knowing that she feels the same about me.
“My Nina,” I whisper as I continue to move in and out of her.
“My Georgi.”
I seal our mouths together, and the kiss is so deep that by the time we come together, I feel like I’ve just had an out-of-body experience.
One where I saw us, our past behind us, and our future ahead of us.
Chapter 31
Nina
Nine days. That’s how long we’ve been torturing Boris and Anton, and I’ve realized no amount of days will be enough.
But I want to move on with my life.
I kept the worst for last, and after I’ve injected them with the serum, I stand back and wait for it to take effect.
The rats scurry and scratch, their hungry squeaks getting louder as time passes.
When Boris and Anton’s breaths begin to race, and sweat pours down their temples, I walk out of the cell to get the cat-o'-nine tails whip. I look at the tiny metal spikes at the end of each leather cord as I return to stand behind the men.
Georgi’s leaning back against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest, his eyes not leaving me for a second.
I reach out to Boris and let the spikes lightly trail up his calf, and his head whips to the side, air bursting over his swollen and busted lips.
“Feel the rats?” I murmur, and it makes him yank against the shackles.
His panic skyrockets, and he flails as I continue to let the spikes trail over his skin.
Boris starts screaming, “Get them off me! No. Vermin. No.”
I move over to Anton and do the same to him, but he doesn’t scream. Instead, he sobs and sniffles, and the stench of his urine fills the air as it trickles down his legs.
I walk to Georgi and hold the whip out to him. “Don’t kill them. I want the serum to wear off, so that they’re fully aware when you open the vents and free the rats.”
“Got it,angelche moe.” When I leave the cell, he asks, “Where are you going?”
“Other room. They stink too much.”
I take a seat on the stool Georgi arranged for me and watch everything through the one-sided window.
Santino comes in and folds his arms while leaning against the wall.
Georgi starts to whip the men, tearing agonizing shouts and cries from them.
“He’s changed a lot,” Santino suddenly says.
I give him a questioning look. “Georgi?”
He nods, then meets my eyes. “You make him happy, Nina.” Letting out a sigh, he adds, “And I finally get some sleep and time off at night.”
