Chapter 7
Chapter
Seven
VIKTORIYA
I watch as the women on the stage are sold off one by one. Some for millions of dollars. Others for a measly hundred grand. If I’m to be sold, I want it to be for millions. That’s my worth in this world.
Just a woman to be sold to the highest bidder.
The salesman turns to me with a wicked grin and tugs on the chain around my throat, drawing me to the edge of the stage. When I would dance, the crowd would watch me with awe. They would clap for the hard work I showcased.
But now, no one is clapping. This crowd isn’t watching me with awe.
They’re watching me with lust and darkness.
These are bad men buying women … and for what? They have money. They don’t have to buy anyone. They’re choosing to. That’s what makes them scarier than anything else. They’re choosing to be vile, evil men.
“Be careful,” I growl at the salesman as he tugs on my chain again. “Do you know who I am? I’m Viktoriya Morozova. I’m an asset. I’m worth more than this.”
“You’re a woman, nothing more.” His words make me flinch. “Let us begin. We should start at … one million.”
I inhale sharply. This is happening. I’m being sold like it’s nothing. Will I ever be found by my sisters? Will they even care that I’m gone? I’ll admit, I haven’t always been the nicest to them. But I’ve worked hard to make sure they were all right after our parents’ deaths. I would never want anything like this to happen to Sofiya or Mila.
I just don’t know if they would show me the same courtesy.
The men bid on me, one after another, each one raising the bidding price. I’m nothing more than just a piece of meat. Something they can buy.
My eyes land back on Gleb. His smile grows larger as more men bid on me. He’s going to get a great payday at the end of this night. Fucking bastard.
And to think I chose him to marry. Gleb has done the worst thing imaginable to me. He has made me look like a fool. He’s humiliated me.
No man has ever done that before, and no man will ever again.
The moment I’m free of this chain around my neck, I’m going to run. If that doesn’t work, I’m going to attack. And if that doesn’t work … I think I’d rather die than let these slimy, disgusting men put their hands on me.
“Five million,” one man says calmly as if he isn’t bidding on a human being. No other man bids higher.
“Sold!” The salesman announces. “To that gentleman. May you be happy with your purchase.”
A gentleman . That’s laughable. None of these men are gentlemen.
The two guards who dragged me onto the stage come out and undo the chain around my neck. I don’t waste a second. I run for the stairs at the bottom of the stage, but the two men catch me. Gleb stands up, a worried look on his face. I can’t escape—not until he’s gotten his money.
“You’re sick!” I scream at him. “Disgusting.”
Gleb walks onto the stage and grabs my chin, forcing me to look at him. “What did I tell you about watching your mouth? Take her away.”
I’m dragged off the stage and brought backstage, where the guards force me into a small cage, barely big enough for a dog. The other women auctioned off are also in cages beside me. The guards eye me over before walking away.
The teenage girl is next to me—the one who reminds me so much of Mila. “Are you ok?” I ask her.
She shakes her head and speaks in Russian.
“You don’t know English? You asked me to help you before.”
“Help,” she says in her heavy accent before speaking in Russian again. That must be all she knows— help me .
“I want to help. I will help. How did you end up here?”
She only looks at me and talks in Russian. I turn to the other woman in the next cage over. “Do you know English?” But she shakes her head, responding in Russian. How can I help these women if I don’t even know their language? I’m just as lost as they are.
And I fucking hate being helpless.
Gleb reappears, holding onto an envelope. “You did your duty to me, Viktoriya. I got my money. Have a nice life.”
“Who bought me?”
He shrugs. “How should I know? He was rich. That’s all I cared about. Now, I think I’m going to spend some time with Mila. She’ll be sad knowing her big sister killed herself. She’ll be vulnerable enough to agree to marry me.”
I grip the cage’s bars between my hands. “You wouldn’t. You can’t. You can’t tell her that I’m dead.”
“Why not? You’re better off dead, being the bitch you are. I’m doing you a service by saving your life. You should be grateful, Viktoriya. But we both know you won’t be, and that’s your problem. You’re never fucking grateful to the men in your life. You think you’re so much better. So, how does it feel being stuck in a cage like a dog?”
I’m … speechless.
Gleb huffs. “That’s what I thought.” He gives me a wink before walking away and whistling. His day is sunny. My day is hell.
I lean back against the bars as best as I can. I’m not sure how long I’m going to be here. I better get comfortable.
SOFIYA
I wake up in the middle of the night full of anxiety. My mind can’t stop thinking about things with Vik. Our fight. The party. I could tell she was uncomfortable. My sister is great at putting on a front that nothing bothers her, but I can tell when something does. She didn’t look … happy.
Granted, it’s hard to please Vik. She rarely looks happy, but this was something different. She had an air about her that felt off. Maybe it was those odious women. Vera and her friends. I could tell right away how petty and mean they were.
Maybe it had to do with Aleksander. He seems to be good at getting under Vik’s skin. I saw it at the bridal shop. I saw it tonight at the party.
I need to know what’s going on with her.
Mikhail is in a deep sleep when I get up and doesn’t even wake when I leave the bedroom. Vik is probably fast asleep, but I can’t wait until morning. I need to talk to her now.
Knocking on her door, I wait. When she doesn’t answer, I try again, but there is still no response. I crack open her door and poke my head inside.
Except … Vik isn’t in her bed. I check her room and the ensuite bathroom, but she isn’t there. Hurrying downstairs, I look in the living room and kitchen, but she’s nowhere. Did she leave again? I wouldn’t put it past her. Vik has a hard time staying in one place. She’s never fully satisfied with her lot in life.
Maybe she’s in Mila’s room. I open Mila’s door and look inside, not wanting to wake her if I don’t have to.
But Vik isn’t there either. It’s only Mila asleep in her bed.
Where the hell is Vik?
I’ll have to wake Mikhail and get him to find her again. But before I can go to him, I hear the front door open, and I rush back downstairs.
Only to find Gleb entering the house. He stops when he sees me. “Sofiya, hello.”
“Hello,” I say slowly. “What were you doing this late out at night?” It’s three in the morning. “Is Vik with you? I can’t find her.”
Gleb scratches the back of his head. “No, she’s not with me. I assumed she was here. I was at a club.”
“A club? I didn’t know you were the dancing kind.”
“I am. I was riled up from the engagement party and wanted to go out dancing. I just got back now. Not sure where Viktoriya is.”
“She’s not here, Gleb.”
He narrows his eyes. “Well, where could she be? She’s my fiancé now. She can’t be running off alone anymore.”
“I agree. She shouldn’t be doing that. I’ll ask Mikhail to start looking.”
“You … don’t have to do that.”
I glance over my shoulder at him. “Why wouldn’t I do that? Mikhail is the most powerful man in all of Moscow. If anyone can find her, it’s him.”
“I assume Viktoriya will come back on her own, but I’ll look for her. She’s my fiancé. It’s my job. You don’t need Mikhail.”
“I’ll still ask him for help anyway. But you can start looking.” I hurry back up the stairs and wake Mikhail up.
“What’s going on?” he asks, alert the second he sits up.
“Vik is gone. I can’t find her.”
He groans and drops his head back. “Sofiya, I know you care for your sister, but she’s more trouble than she’s worth. If she’s run off again, then there’s nothing I can do to keep her from doing it again and again. She can find her own way in life.”
“Mikhail, please. She’s my sister. I need to know she’s safe.”
“Aren’t you mad at her?”
“I am. Was. But she’s still my sister, and I need to know where she is. Go find her.”
He sighs. “I’ll send Aleksander. I’m sure he’ll be happy to find Viktoriya for us.”
“Thank you.” I don’t mention I don’t fully trust Aleksander. Vik hates him for some reason, but he did a good job of finding her before. I’m sure he can do it again.
“Now, come back to bed. I’ll make the call.”
But I can’t go back to bed. My older sister is missing in a city she knows nothing about. I won’t be ok until I know she’s safe.
VIKTORIYA
“Get out,” the guard growls as he opens the door to my cage. Behind him stands the man who bought me.
“No,” I respond. “I’m not leaving.”
“You belong to him now. So, get out.”
“No.”
The guard sighs, then grabs me and drags me out of the cage by my ankles. I scream and twist my body, but I only slam my shoulder against the side of the cage, sending stinging pain down my arm.
I’m hoisted up and shoved toward the man who bought me. He’s … old . He has to be in his seventies if not eighties. Sagging, droopy skin around his neck. Yellow teeth. Horrible breath.
“I’m Akim,” he tells me. “You are mine now. I understand you only know English.”
I don’t respond. I’m not giving him the satisfaction.
“Well, we should be going.” He grabs my arm and shoves me toward a door. It leads into the main seating area, where a lot of men still sit and mingle. How can they just talk like women weren’t sold like slaves before them?
My eyes land on a familiar face. Damien Petrov. I never would have thought a handsome man like him would feel the need to buy a woman.
Akim makes me walk right past Damien, and I can’t help myself. “I’m glad I didn’t marry you. You’re disgusting.”
Damien raises an eyebrow. “I never knew you wanted to marry me. And I’m only here because I was invited. I have no desire to buy a woman.”
“But you didn’t stop this either.”
His response is to turn away from me and speak to the men beside him. Dismissing me.
“Come along,” Akim mutters, shoving me up the aisle. “I didn’t say you could talk to him.”
“I can do what I want.”
“No, you can’t.” He pulls me roughly against him. For such an old man, he sure is strong. “I bought you. You’re mine now. I will tell you who to talk to, and I didn’t say you could talk to that man.”
I flinch back from his gross breath. It could kill a plant from how bad it smells.
Akim makes me walk by his side as we leave the theater, and I glance back at the stage. It’s empty now, devoid of any woman. That’s because all the other women are still locked up in cages.
I wanted to perform on a stage again. I just never thought it would be like this.
Akim walks me to his car and shoves me inside. My head slams against the doorframe, making my vision dizzy for a moment. Using that to his advantage, he gets behind the wheel and drives. I force my vision to steady so I can pay attention to where I am. He didn’t blindfold me, which makes me more nervous.
He doesn’t think I’ll ever be found. So, why worry that I can see where we’re going?
“I’ll expect complete obedience from you. You will let me fuck you, and you will do it with a smile, and you will say thank you once it’s over.”
“I am not giving you my virginity.”
Akim throws a glare in my direction. “I bought you for your virginity. I have a right to it. I was promised it. Now, I suggest you shut your mouth, or things will be a lot worse for you.”
“I’m getting pretty tired of men telling me what to do with my mouth.”
“Then I’ll have to shove my cock into it to shut you up.”
“You shouldn’t have bought me if you wanted an obedient woman. I will never bend to you. I will never break.”
Akim narrows his eyes. “We’ll see about that.”
I can’t stop the shudder that overtakes my body. I’m a strong woman—always have been. I’ve known what I’ve wanted to do all my life—ballet—and I fought tooth and nail to achieve my dream. I will have my dream again. A small, measly little man like Akim will not stop me.
I’ll kill him before he makes me break.
He pulls up to a large mansion. I spy guards surrounding the perimeter—all with guns. There has to be at least ten of them.
“Who are you?” I ask.
“Who I am doesn’t matter. Now, be a good girl, and get out of the car before I make you.”
With a huff, I push open the door and step outside.
And then make a run for it.
I only make it down the sidewalk before a bullet whizzes right by my head. I shout and duck.
A guard runs over to me and drags me back to Akim, who explains, “My guards are expertly trained men. You cannot escape them. And they have a stake in you. Once I’m done having my way with you, they’ll take you next.”
I freeze. Gleb sold me to a man who wants to gang-rape me. The harsh reality of that hits me and makes me stumble. I’ve never felt more powerless in my entire life.
Akim motions for the guard to bring me inside the house. The floor is marble, making it hard to hide the sound of footsteps. The space is so large, that everything echoes inside.
“Bring her to my bedroom,” Akim instructs.
I try fighting the guard, but he’s too strong. He lifts me and carries me upstairs, where he throws me onto a large bed in an even larger room. Then he walks away, and Akim takes his place.
“I’m going to have so much fun with you.” He throws himself on top of me. The smell of his horrible breath almost knocks me right out. His hands are slimy and grimy and clammy all at the same time.
This is not how I thought I’d lose my virginity. I thought a man worthy of me would take it when I gave it willingly.
This is not how any of this was supposed to go.
Akim laughs as I struggle to get away from him. He grabs my hips and flips me onto my stomach. He rips my dress, shoving it above my waist, and tears my underwear off. His gross hands touch my ass, and I startle.
The only other person who’s ever touched me there was Aleksander, and he was spanking me. There had been no lust to it. Just a punishment for running away.
This is another sort of punishment. It’s Gleb punishing me for having an opinion. For having standards. For not bowing down to the first man who gave me attention.
I can’t let Akim do this to me. I refuse to let it. I’m a dancer, for fuck’s sake. I have strength in my body. I can do this.
My eyes catch a paperweight on his side table. I just need to reach it.
Using all the strength I have in my legs from years of dancing, I kick back and land a blow to his knee. Akim grunts and sits up slightly. I crawl forward, my fingers straining for the paperweight, but Akim draws me back closer to him.
“Where do you think you’re going?” he growls.
“You are not worthy to put your hands on me,” I snap back. “You are a sick man who had to buy a woman to get laid. What kind of man are you?”
He growls again and flips me onto my back before slapping me across the face. It stings, but it gives me the energy I need to fight. “I own you.”
“No man will ever own me.” In this new position, I can lift my feet and kick him in the chest. Akim stumbles off me.
I grab the paperweight as he flops his body back on top of me.
“You are mine,” he says.
“No. You’re dead.” I slam the paperweight against his head, and he goes still, letting out a strained groan. Blood begins to seep from the side of his head.
And then he falls off me, onto the bed, and twitches. I lift the paperweight high. His eyes meet mine, begging me not to kill him.
I’ve never killed anyone before.
But I don’t feel any guilt.
I bring the paperweight down onto his head, and his entire face bursts as I hit him again and again. He’s long dead, but I still keep hitting him. Blood splatters my face and hands and dress.
It’s a good thing I’m wearing red.
I let out a scream, then drop the paperweight. It thuds on the ground. I stare at Akim's caved-in face and scramble away. I pull my underwear back up and push my dress back down.
My hands are soaked in his blood.
He was a cocky bastard who thought I would just lay down and accept my fate. I’m not that kind of woman.
I stumble out of the bedroom and into an empty hallway. Dazed, I walk downstairs and head for the door.
That is, until I hear a woman scream. I turn to look and see a young woman dressed in a cleaning uniform staring right at me. Screaming.
Three guards come running inside and stop when they see me.
I know I should be terrified.
But all I can do is laugh.
ALEKSANDER
I get the call that Viktoriya ran off again and I need to find her. I’m actually glad about this news. Maybe that means she’s changed her mind about marrying Gleb.
This is my chance to have her for myself. To show her I’m what she needs.
There’s just one problem: unlike the last time she ran away and used her credit card, there’s no record of her anywhere.
“I’m not sure where she is,” I admit to Mikhail once I get to his penthouse. “I tried looking at her credit card statements, but nothing.”
“You can’t find her?” Sofiya asks, brushing right past her husband. Both she and Mila are there, giving me looks of concern. Gleb is there, too, looking … not as worried.
“I have no leads this time. Unless … Mikhail, get your guard in here.”
He calls the guard from the hallway outside the penthouse. A moment later, the guard, a man named Erik, enters. “Yes, boss?”
Mikhail motions for me to speak. “There’s only one way in and out of this house. Surely you saw Viktoriya leave.”
“I did. She left with him.” He points right at Gleb, who straightens up and avoids making eye contact with any of us.
“You said you went to the club,” Sofiya says. “You never said Vik was with you.”
“Well … we left together. But then she ran off. I couldn’t find her so I came back here. I’m worried she might be …”
“What?” I snap.
“Dead,” Gleb says, hanging his head low.
Mila gasps. “Dead? What? Why?”
“Because she was talking about killing herself.”
Sofiya sharply shakes her head. “That doesn’t sound like Vik. I know my sister better than anyone. If there’s one thing I know about Vik it’s that she never gives up. Never.”
I stare at Gleb harder. “You’re lying. You know where she is.”
He meets my gaze head-on. “Truly, I do not.”
I continue to stare him down, but he doesn’t look away. Finally, I sigh and turn to Mikhail. “Figure out what he knows. I’ll start asking around. There may be one place she went to.”
“Where?” Mila asks.
I glance at Mikhail. “Damien Petrov’s club.”
Mikhail inhales deeply. “What?”
“She went to his club?—”
“I know,” Mikhail snaps. “She told me. I just didn’t think she’d do something so stupid like that again.”
“It’s worth checking. I’ll go now.”
“I’ll come with,” he says. “If Damien is involved, I have some things I need to say to him.”
“Just be smart about this.”
“Aleksander, I’m your boss. Don’t tell me what to do.”
I bow my head. “Understood.” I look back at Gleb and then Sofiya and Mila, unsure whether they should be left alone with him or not. But Mikhail is already out the door, and so I follow him. Because that’s my job.
MILA
Once Mikhail and Aleksander leave, Gleb turns to me. “Mila, I wanted to get a chance to speak with you.”
“Not right now. I’m too worried about Vik.”
“Vik will be fine. She’s a tough girl.”
Sofiya narrows her eyes and places her hands on her hips. “Why did you think Vik would kill herself?”
“Because she said so.”
“And how did you end up losing her?”
He shrugs. “You know Viktoriya. She never wanted to marry to begin with. The moment I turned my back, she took off. She was gone before I even realized it.”
“Then why did you lie to me about not knowing where she was?”
I’m impressed with Sofiya. She used to be so shy. Since marrying Mikhail, she’s grown a quiet strength that’s beautiful to see.
“I never lied,” Gleb responds. “Now, I’m off to bed. It’s been a long night.” He meets my eyes before he walks away.
I’m left feeling chilled to the bone.