Chapter 4
ZOE
“Come on, we need to go to this party,” Gracie says excitedly.
Her cheeks are flush, her words are a little slurred, she’s drunk.
I don’t think she’s thinking clearly because going to a party with two guys we’ve just met isn’t a good idea, no matter how hot they are.
Grace has spent the night wrapped up in Dmitri’s arms while I’ve been in Nikolai’s.
Yes, I do want to continue hanging out with him, but at this bar. I think that is the smartest choice.
“Grace, I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
My sister’s eyes narrow on me. “Remember what Mum said, have fun.”
I frown at her, hating that she’s throwing our mother’s words back at me. “I’m pretty sure Mum didn’t mean going to a party with strangers.”
“They aren’t strangers,” Grace adds.
When Grace gets an idea in her head, no matter what you say you’re never going to persuade her otherwise. If I say no, she will just go alone with Dmitri to this party which is even worse.
“Fine, let’s go then.” I huff.
Grace jumps up and down and gives me a hug. “I can’t wait to get that big bear back home and let him do all the dirty things he’s told me he wants to do to me.”
Look, I get it. It’s been a long time since someone has given me orgasms, even so. I’m uneasy about the situation, but if I stop drinking and keep my eye on my sister, I’m sure it’s fine. I’m worrying for no reason, I’m sure.
We leave the bar’s bathroom and head toward the two hot men waiting at the table for us. My eyes fall to where Nikolai is sitting. He gives me a smirk as we walk closer, I’m guessing he knows we’re going with them.
“Ladies, shall we go?” Nikolai gives me a look that melts my panties to their core.
“Yes.” Gracie giggles, jumping into Dmitri’s arms, making him chuckle.
Nikolai takes my hand in his and pulls me to his side. “Don’t worry, I’ll look after you,” he leans over and whispers into my ear, sending shivers over my body.
I’m sure he would. But I can’t seem to shake this unease over the situation, maybe I’ve been watching the crime channel one too many times this week.
We walk out of the bar onto the busy street. The spring air has some warmth to it as we walk down the cobblestone lane. We stop in front of two shiny motorcycles.
“This is yours?”
He gives me a devilish smile. “Jump on, moyo zoloste.”
“What does that mean?”
“My gold.” He smiles, holding my hand as I jump onto the back of his bike.
It’s an interesting term of endearment, I guess Russians are not known for their flowery, romantic overtures.
He jumps onto the bike and pulls my arms tight around his muscular abs.
Turning his head as he revs the bike’s engine, he says, “I called you my gold because I think you might be precious to me.”
My stomach does somersaults as the bike launches us into the night.
Two months later
“I can’t believe he’s taking you to meet his family in Russia,” Gracie squeals down the phone.
“I know. Everything has happened so quickly. I think I’m in love.”
“You’re so lucky. I haven’t heard from Dmitri.” Gracie sounds sad over Dmitri’s lack of communication.
I don’t want to tell her that every time I see him, he’s had a new woman on his arm. She was smitten with him when she was here.
“Forget about him. I’m sure there is a heap of hot men in The Hague.”
“None are as good in bed as Dmitri. I’m guessing that’s because he’s had a lot of practice.” She sighs.
“You’d be right there.”
“Fine, message received, get over the hot Russian. He was just a holiday fling. Go have fun with your boyfriend. I’ll live vicariously through you.” She sighs.
“There’s someone out there for you.”
Grace scoffs and makes gagging sounds on the end of the phone. “Just remember I’m maid of honor at your wedding to Nikolai.”
“Wedding?”
“The rate you two are moving, I wouldn’t be surprised if he proposed after meeting the parents. That boy has fallen hard for you.”
My heart thuds in my chest at the thought.
I’m not sure what I would say if he did.
Yes. You’d say yes. We’ve only been together for a short time though.
When you know, you know. I’m in love with Nikolai, no one has ever made me feel the way he does before.
We had an instant connection since we met, but still, there’s something that I can’t put my finger on that I’m not sure of.
Probably just the speed in which we are moving. I’m second-guessing it all.
“This isn’t a fairytale.”
“But he’s your prince.” My sister giggles.
Yeah, he is.
Ugh. When did I become one of those girls? When Nikolai came into your life. My inner thoughts make me want to gag. I’m so loved up.
“I’ll call you when I get back. Love you,” I tell my sister as we finish our phone call.
“Are you ready?” Nikolai asks as we step onto the plane.
“Yeah, I’m excited to see where you’re from. I’ve never been to Russia before.”
Nikolai takes hold of my hand protectively as we walk down the aisle. We stop at the luxury seats as Nikolai ushers me toward them.
“This is first class?”
“Yes, these are our seats.” He guides me toward the window seat, and I sit down.
“Nikolai, this is too much,” I tell him as my hand runs over the buttery soft leather seat.
He grabs my hand, bringing it to his lips, and lightly kisses my knuckles. “Nothing is too much for you, my love.”
Le sigh. This man, he owns my heart with words like that.
We settle into the almost five-hour flight with champagne and caviar. I could get used to this treatment.
Overdosing on champagne and caviar I fall asleep.
“Lyubimaya moya, my sweetheart, wake up. We are about to land.” Nikolai nudges me.
Stretching my weary body, I wake myself up. Turning my head, I look out the window beside me as the plane makes its descent into Moscow. Flutters of excitement rake over my skin as the lights beneath us become brighter the closer we get to the ground.
When the wheels finally touch down, Nikolai leans over and kisses my cheek.
“Welcome to Moscow, Zoe. You’re going to love it here.”
“Over there,” Nikolai says, pointing to a couple of men standing together smoking.
Their large frames dwarf everyone else around them, and their heavily tattooed skin looks more dangerous than sexy.
Nikolai drags me over to his mysterious friends who greet each other warmly.
The men’s eyes look me over, and instantly, they make me feel uncomfortable. I cling tighter to my boyfriend’s side.
“Sorry, my cousins don’t understand English. And I may forget to translate while chatting with them,” Nikolai explains as we walk toward the luxury car waiting for us.
“That’s fine. I wouldn’t expect anyone to speak English.”
Nikolai squeezes my hand and opens the door for me to get into the car.
I sit back and listen to Nikolai and his cousins chat and laugh in Russian as the car races through the streets of Moscow.
We drive for over an hour through the city until we finally make it to an apartment complex, in what looks to be a relatively pleasant area, but it’s hard to tell, as Moscow is all gray concrete.
“We are here. Come, I want you to meet my family. I think they are going to like you,” Nikolai says as he gives me a quick kiss then takes my hand.
One of his cousins takes our bags and follows Nikolai and me toward the apartment block.
I’m ushered toward the lift, where someone pushes the button.
The doors creak open, and we all get in.
It’s a slow ascent past the floors until we eventually stop at the top and the doors open as we arrive at the penthouse apartment.
My eyes widen when I see what is happening in front of me.
“Nikolai,” I say his name with hesitation lacing my voice.
“Zoe, get the hell out of the lift.” Nikolai’s tone turns angry, something I’m not used to.
“No.” I don’t want to leave the lift. He couldn’t possibly want me to be here. Is this a joke?
Nikolai’s eyes narrow at my answer and the once sparkling green jewels he showed me daily have turned a sinister shade of green as he stares at me with pure venom behind them.
My stomach sinks.
I don’t think Nikolai is who I thought he was.
One of the mysterious men from the airport pushes me in the back. He chuckles darkly as I stumble into the penthouse.
“Welcome home, Zoe,” Nikolai says, giving me an evil smile.
“No, I want to go home!” I scream at him as I turn around and try to make a break for the elevator.
Large hands grab my long blonde hair, and I yelp as I’m yanked back. Panic grips my whole body. What the hell is happening?
“You’re not going anywhere, bitch,” Nikolai growls in my face.
I can feel the tears fall down my cheeks as shock sets in.
“Like I said the first night I met you, you are precious, like gold. Once you start working for me, you will be worth so much more than gold. My little Sapphire,” Nikolai coos as he leans in and runs a finger along my jaw. His once familiar touch now feels like ice against my skin.
“You can warm up on me? I know how much you like sucking my cock.” He chuckles darkly.
Bile rises in my stomach at the realization of what he is saying and the situation I seem to be in.
My flight or fight instincts kick in, and I’m not going down without a fight as I lunge at the man I once loved.
I turn feral as I punch and scratch at him, as I try to fight for my life.
I use every resource in my mind to save myself from this horrific situation I’m finding myself in.
Nikolai is screaming what I can only assume is obscenities as I attack him.
I use every ounce of my self-defense skills to fight him.
A fist to the stomach, a knee to the groin, a palm to the jaw.
It’s just enough for me to get away from him as he stumbles.
I make a break for the elevator, whose doors are still open.
Please, please, let me escape.
Reaching the doors, I press the close button a million times and will the doors to hurry and close, but it’s too late. A hand grabs me and pulls me back into the penthouse.
This is it—my life will never be the same.