Page 40 of Captured Obsession

“Good.”

She turns to look at me, not at all pleased with my response. Giving her a word of warning is impossible right now, not that I should even be doing that much, but I'm conscious of the fact that even in the car, there might be listening devices.

If I were The Wolf, I'd bug everything too. The one room in the manor that I ensured I found and removed every camera and mic was her room. The thought of someone as filthy as The Wolf having unrestricted access to her rubs me the wrong way. Andrei saw me doing this and remained silent, so I assume we share the same sentiment.

We come to a stop in front of the worn-down cabin, and her body grows tense.

“Don't leave the car until I come get you,” I instruct her. She's not pleased when I slam the door and meet with Andrei.

I begin rolling up my sleeves. “No one is to enter. My fun isn’t to be ruined. Have the men surround the building, and immediately alert me if anything happens.”

“You don't need any assistance?” Andrei asks, and I give him a stern look.

“To make one woman scream and have nightmares for the rest of her days? No.”

He considers me for a moment. “You’re quite ruthless, aren’t you,Udav? Make sure you don't step over any lines; we still need her alive. And why bring her allthe way out here instead of torturing her back at the manor?”

I wonder if Andrei has caught on to the way I’m handling things. He’s lowering his own guard, and if anyone else suspected he was protecting her in his own way, worse could happen to him. But I leave nothing to chance, playing the part I’ve been paid for.

So, I smirk. “Have you ever heard of conditioning? It’s a game I like to play with my victims, if I choose to toy with them. You let them gain a sense of safety in a particular location, and when you remove them from that location and take them to another to do unspeakable things, you train them that the outside is scarier. They become reclusive, thinking they’re only safe in that initial location. Besides, if I only played games in the manor, I’d get bored.

“Do you think we should remove a finger or two so we can send them to the Armanis so they might actually get off their asses and do something?” I add for ruthless effect, not that I would ever even consider harming her in such a way.

Andrei shakes his head. “No. Not unless the boss says it's okay.”

My expression hardens, showcasing my irritation. “Fine. I won't so much as even make her bleed. But I'll scare the fucking life out of her. I'll make her fucking scream.”

Andrei nods, then begins rounding up the men, shouting orders.

I walk back to the car and open the passenger door, offering her my hand. “It is time, little doll.”

“For what? For me to follow you into that creepy-ass cabin? No fucking thank you.” She goes to slam the car door closed, but I hook my hand over it to stop her.

“It wasn't a question. Either you walk willingly, or I’ll take you by force.”

Her eyebrows dip. “You’re such a fucking asshole.” She doesn't take my hand as she steps from the car. “I don't suppose you brought those knives with you?”

“There are plenty of other toys I can introduce you to,” I say as I close the door and gesture toward the cabin.

Andrei stops me in front of the door, speaking rapidly in Russian. “It would appear the power has been cut.”

My brow furrows. “What do you mean?”

“Even the backup generator is dead.”

Which means no electricity and no cameras.

“We should return to the manor,” he’s quick to suggest.

I shake my head. “No. If the Italian mafia is behind this, then we’ll finally see some action. If not, the boss needs to upgrade his facilities.”

Andrei’s eyebrows dip. “But,Udav, this bears risk.”

No risk that I’m not already aware of, because I’m the one who fucked with the power in the first place.

I curve a cruel smile. “But my bloodlust is at itspeak, and if I don't get so much as a scream today, I'd hate to see who I'll take that out on … and how. I can find many who are more disposable than this woman. I will have my fun. Do we have an understanding?”

The Wolf will still demand his order to be fulfilled. It’s a gamble not recording it, but if his men hear the screams, then at least I’ve done my duty.