She keeps her gaze trained on the needle as she pushes it through my skin. Her tone is shaky as she replies, “You just said if I free you, you’ll rape me.” She ties the knot and cuts the thread. “So it’s a little hard to believe you won’t hurt me.”
As she climbs to her feet, her eyes meet mine.
I can’t stop the dark expression from settling on my face. “I didn’t say I’d rape you.”
“That’s what you implied,” she argues.
Am I losing my mind, or does she look disappointed in me?
I hate explaining myself, but I’m not some fucking rapist, and for some reason I have to set things straight between us.
“I never have, and never will, rape a woman. The torture I was referring to was withholding an orgasm until you beg and then blowing your mind.” Taking my chance to find out if she’s the one screaming every night, I add, “Trust me, your screams of ecstasy will be much sweeter than the ones I’ve heard at night.”
Startled, her eyes widen slightly. “I forgot sound travels down here.”
I’m right. It is her.
I stare at her for a moment before asking, “Why do you scream?”
“Nightmares.”
Her quick answer surprises me. Up until now, she hasn’t been very forthcoming in giving me any information about herself.
Pushing my luck, I ask, “Why is your room down here in the basement?”
“Boris doesn’t like hearing me scream.” She breaks eye contact and walks to the cabinet. “It annoys him.”
“All jokes aside. Get me out of these shackles, and I’ll repay the favor.”
She lets out a bitter-sounding chuckle. “If I free you, I’m as good as dead.”
“I’ll protect you.”
Nina shakes her head, and without another word, she leaves the room. Seconds later, I hear Martin say, “I don’t think Boris will be happy to hear about your lover’s quarrel. You’re getting too chatty with the scumbag.”
“I’m sorry,” Nina replies, her tone filled with terror. “It won’t happen again.”
Martin chuckles darkly. “Anton is here. You’d better hurry and change into something more to his liking.”
A door slams shut, and I hear movement in the room beside mine.
Anton?
I search my memory for anyone with the name, but come up empty.
Thinking the guy is Nina’s boyfriend leaves a bad taste in my mouth, which gets my attention, because…why does it matter?
At the end of the day, we’re enemies, and I have to remember she only takes care of me out of duty to her father.
“Where the fuck is she?” I hear a man roar.
“In her room,” Martin replies, his tone dripping with respect.
A man I’ve never laid eyes on appears in the doorway. I’d guess his age to be around sixty.
Looking like he’s about to bust a vein, he glares me up and down before stalking away. A door slams open, then his angry shout fills the air. “Fucking whore. Did you think I wouldn’t find out?”
“I only did as I was ordered.” Hearing Nina’s pleading tone as she responds, a frown forms on my forehead.
