Chapter 7 — Kiera #2
“That’s all the credit you’d get for risking your life fighting vicious wolves. Where’s the sense in that?”
“Then get it over with already.” I paused, trying to calm my racing heart. “Make me vanish.”
“And put you out of your misery?” He pulled his head back, chuckling. “I don’t think so.”
My brows furrowed together, displeased by how much pleasure he derived from watching me suffer. I tried to mask it, the unwanted sensation coursing through me after his touch.
His hand on my skin lingered longer than it should, leaving me confused about what I felt. Anything other than anger and disgust was unacceptable. Yet it seemed my anger had dissolved, leaving no trace of disgust.
Why did I feel a strange sense of calm, mixed with an emotion I was too ashamed to name? Why did my heart sink into my stomach when he held my gaze? And what in God’s name was this heat spreading across my body?
He’d invaded my space, filling the air around me with the scent of his cologne. I was frozen in place, unable to form a reasonable thought in my head or even take my eyes off him.
It was as though I was caught in some kind of trance—a spell that had me hooked.
The silence between us stretched on—awkward and deafening. It wasn’t until after he pulled away that I realized his other hand had been around my waist this whole time.
He flashed me that cocky grin and glanced down at his watch. “I know you enjoy my company, but I’m afraid I have to go now.”
My brows rose in disbelief, a small, nearly imperceptible grin creeping into my face.
“I’ll see you some other time.” He tapped my shoulder and walked past me. “Get comfortable. It might take a while.”
“Fuckin’ jerk,” I whispered to myself.
“I heard that,” he said without turning to look at me.
He exited the room and closed the door behind him.
Why the hell was there a smile on my lips? What the fuck was wrong with me? I should hate this man’s guts, not feel comfortable around him.
I combed my fingers through my hair and sat back on the floor, my back against the wall. My fingers rubbed my eyes as my chest tightened against the strange feeling swelling inside me.
This man was tied to human trafficking—a crime that involved the molestation of a girl. July was a survivor, and somehow, he was linked to her case. That should be more than enough reason to despise him.
I wasn’t allowed to feel anything for this monster except disdain and irritation. He had me kidnapped and brought me here. He imprisoned me and probably paid off the authorities so someone would come looking for me.
What more did I need to hate him?
Yes, the man was fuckin’ attractive, charming, and had a good sense of humor. But that didn’t change the fact that he was evil—that he was a human trafficker who abused and sexually exploited women.
Are you sure about that? a voice asked me. If he is all you say he is, why hasn’t anyone touched you yet? Why on earth are you still alive?
I thought for a moment, wondering the same thing. His men had been warned not to lay a finger on me. That’s why that angry man hadn’t done anything to me; he was asked to stand down.
Why?
If he were the man July was talking about, things would’ve turned out to be a lot worse for me. But so far, he’d even tolerated my behavior, letting me off the hook with only a warning.
Again, why?
What was the preferential treatment for?
I knew better than to mistake restraint for mercy or weakness. But that was the problem: restraint. Men like him weren’t known for that. At all.
So what the actual fuck was going on here?
I was still deep in thought when the door creaked open. My breath hitched, thinking it was him; maybe he had forgotten something or just wanted to taunt me some more.
But when I raised my head, the figure standing at the entrance didn’t look like him. This one was shorter, and his cologne smelled different. Expensive. But different.
By now, I already recognized every guard in the compound. With nothing else better to do, I had all the time in the world to memorize their faces and physiques.
This one was new. I hadn’t seen him before.
Slowly, I rose to my feet, the alarm bells going crazy in my head. Something was off about this individual in ways that worried me.
“Who’s there?” I asked, my voice stern and even.
The man took a few more steps into the room, and that’s when I saw his face in the moon’s soft light.
I was right. He wasn’t one of the guards; he wasn’t the boss, either. He was younger and shorter than him, with a buzz cut that suited his rugged face. His gaze, cold and hollow, was etched with something dangerous.
Lust.
The minute I noticed that unhealthy desire, my mind activated defense mode. My eyes began scanning my surroundings for anything to use as a weapon.
“They told me Nial said you’re off limits,” he began, walking over to me with menacing steps.
That’s his name? Nial. My captor.
“So, I had come to see for myself who this bitch was and what made her different from the others.” His voice was deep, thick with a Russian accent.
I stood my ground, staring him in the face. “Who are you?”
His lips curved into a mischievous grin, his hands already unbuckling his belt.
My jaw clenched, knowing exactly what this asshole was up to. Whoever he was, he had to be related to Nial to defy his instructions.
“Stay back,” I growled as he took his belt off and started approaching me. “I’m warning you.”
“Hmm. Feisty. I like it.”
Fuckin’ pervert.
He lunged at me, but I was quick to grab the plate off the floor. With a powerful force, I smashed it into his skull.
“Fuckin’ bitch!” he groaned, stumbling backward. “You’re dead!”
Something told me he wasn’t bluffing; this man could end my life in a heartbeat. I took off, bolting toward the door.
“Get over here!” He grabbed me by the wrist and flung me onto that reeking mattress.
Before I could react, he climbed on top of me, pinning both my hands above my head. I struggled to no avail, kicking, yelling, and twisting my body.
“Hold still.” He smacked me across the face with his free hand, laughing as he reached into his pants. “Oh, I’m gonna enjoy this.”
In that moment of desperation, only one name came to mind, and I screamed it at the top of my lungs.
“Nial!!!”