“Who is he working with?”
“Not sure, Miss. Joy.”
“Valerian is his father. Why would he want to betray his family?”
Of course, I know the answer. I just want to see how much Galina knows.
She looks at me cautiously. Her eyes are full of fright, like she’s seeing a ghost. “You can’t tell anyone, Miss Joy.” She takes a deep breath. “Valerian killed his previous wife. Cut off both legs.”
Except it was the wife’s father—the philanthropist. He’s the one who committed that unspeakable act.
By the sounds of it, he got some sick, twisted enjoyment out of dismembering people. That is seriously fucked. No wonder Valerian killed his own wife. She needed putting out of her misery.
It sounds like Valerian never told his maid and butler the truth.
It’s almost like he prefers people to be scared of him. Like having people think the worst is better than them seeing him as human.
I’ve never come across a person like him before.
Galina brings me to a stop in the walkway, her shoes scraping against the stone. “You must not tell a soul, Miss Joy. We all get in big trouble.”
I take the washcloth out of my pockets. Fuck, this makes what I’m about to do next very shitty. But the guards all seem to love Galina around here and I’ll be able to use this to my advantage.
“Miss Joy?” Galina frowns. “Everything okay?”
“No,” I sigh, paying close attention to her face. Especially her mouth. “I think I might be pregnant.”
Galina’s mouth gapes open, as expected. I shove the washcloth in there and grab her by the wrists, pinning her arms behind her back.
I hold the washcloth in her mouth. With my other hand, I guide her forward. “I’m sorry, Galina. I’ll promise I’ll make it up to you. But I need you to walk.”
Galina murmurs against the washcloth, mumbling a bunch of words. I can’t tell if she’s speaking English or Russian. Either way, it doesn’t matter. None of this will when I get the fuck out of this place.
Galina shuffles forward. I guide her out of the stone cloister, into the courtyard. It’s still pouring with rain. We’re drenched through our clothes in seconds.
The guards at the side gate perk up when they see us approaching. They stand tall, guns at the ready.
“What are you doing, Joy?” asks one of them.
I squint through the rain, knowing I need to get one of their guns somehow. It’s the only way I can get out of here.
Keeping hold of Galina, I slowly raise my sweatshirt over my head. I’m not wearing anything underneath. I planned it this way. I manage to get the sweatshirt over my head. It’s cold. My nipples are hard from the rain.
I watch both of their eyes drop as they look at my breasts. I grab each one, making a show of it, teasing each breast until I have both of the guards’ attention in the palm of my hands.
And then, I reach forward and grab a gun.
The man lunges forward. But they stop when they realize I’m holding Galina up at gunpoint.
I knew she was a soft spot for all of them.
“Put the gun down, Joy,” says one of the guards. This one still has his gun, but he’s not choosing to shoot.
Perhaps he’s under strict orders from Valerian not to kill me.
I have the gun pressed to Galina’s temple, but I won’t hurt her.
I keep the gun raised at Galina, struggling to keep it lifted. It’s a lot of strain on the wrists. I wouldn’t be much use on the front line.
