Chapter 2
Blair
Sin followed me everywhere I went.
Even when I reached my hand out and attempted to mend my ways, there was no escaping.
There really was no redemption for sinners. Living alone on the verge of sin and virtue.
Fuck.
I mean, shit.
No dammit.
My breathing became ragged and uncontrolled. Fear encased down into my bones. The wet, slippery dress tightened against my breasts, and it felt like I could die from suffocation. The thunder that crashed in the distance didn’t help.
“Cat got your tongue, kotyonok?” His voice inclined, he held a sinister smile. “What a shame. We were having so much fun earlier.”
Earlier?
Wait, was he—
The images of the mysterious man wandering in the shadows in that cell while playing mind games with me earlier flashed in my mind.
There was no way. It couldn’t be him. Could it be?
“Don’t tell me you forgot about me?” His warm lips caressed the outside shell of my ear as his intrusive hands roamed my waist and stomach, stopping right above my— nevermind— but the most perturbing part was the steel gun held against my jaw.
“Because I haven’t forgotten about you, Blair.
” He buried his nose in my hair and inhaled my strawberry shampoo scent. “Not a single thing.”
My heart raced a thousand miles per hour.
Damn, never did I think I would hate to be wrong. Nor to be pinned down by a man, but I guess there’s a first time for everything.
“What do you want from me?” Threads of desperation bled into my voice.
Wanting to distract him so I could get help.
And get him off me.
“Mmhm,” a deep tracking sound escaped his throat. “Many things. Whatever you’re willing to give, kotyonok.”
His words, his intoxicating words, made my inner thighs slick, and all my body craved was for release. His presence was dangerous yet addictive; that should have told me to run, but for some insane reason I stayed. My mind stood firm in its ability to survive.
“You can’t have me. Anything else is possible.” I drew my limits.
He would have to take it. There wasn’t any other choice.
This would be my game. My rules.
“Then give me sanctuary and let me stay here, just for a little while until I have a chance to escape.”
My eyes rounded with horror. Somehow finding the strength to break from his steel hold, I turned around and faced him.
“What?” I was stunned not only by his absurd request but also by his appearance.
It was the first time we had come face-to-face.
Perhaps some part of me thought he was hideously scarred; that's why he decided to linger in the darkness. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
His handsomeness was memorable. Admired by anyone he came across.
Not even the murderous expression could take that away.
His dark curled hair dripped from the storm.
His body was fortified, largely built, and toned from all those years in prison as his wet shirt clung to him.
And those man-made scars— one that slit across his brow, two small ones branded against his cheek, one that curled around his jaw, and the last one cut through his lips— he was the perfect dichotomy.
No, I shouldn’t be having these thoughts.
He lifted my chin and lowered his gaze. “You wanted to save me. Well, I’m here to be saved by you. By your hands is the ability to change my fate, I confess.” He began to walk me backwards until my spine curved into the wall. His gun shifted up to the soft skin of my nape.
“You’re insane.”
“Only a sane man would be desperate enough to hide where no one would question. You are obligated to keep my presence a secret.”
“That’s only a priest's job.”
His stormy eyes glinted with darkness as lightning struck outside.
“Under the Seal of the Confessional, a priest or anyone who hears a confession is obligated not to disclose anything, or else it would be a violation of the sacred law. If you were a better Catholic, you would have known that, kotyonok.”
Since when was that a law? Who the hell comes up with these laws, anyway?
Unable to tell by his detached expression if he was bluffing or not, but why would I care?
“Good luck in hell, asshole.”
“Ah, kotoyonk, you’re not being a good girl.”
“Fuck you.”
“Careful, I still have the gun,” he taunted in a low octave, trailing the cold metallic gun against my jaw.
Goosebumps erupted against my skin, the cold wetness making me shiver as I stood my ground.
“You would have killed me already if you wanted to.” I sharply bit back.
The reason was obvious why he wanted me alive. He had no allies but me. So if he wanted to stay a free man, he wouldn’t dare touch a hair on my head.
He narrowed his gaze, scanning me up and down with steeped intrigue. “You will do as I tell you, wherever I tell you. Make this easier for both of us.”
“And if I scream, they’ll come after you.”
“Do that and I’ll make sure you’ll only know pain for the rest of your life.”
Indignation pierced my heart as I slapped the gun out of my face.
“You think I don’t know pain? Do you know the sacrifices I’ve made to get where I am now?
Do not talk about suffering when all I do is live in hell with my mind.
” I was brutally harsh as I grabbed the collar of his orange prison uniform.
A small indiscreet shift fazed over his features like my words had some type of effect on him. “Then you’ll know what to do.”
I closed my eyes, regretting that I let my emotions get the best of me.
The man was a stranger, and he was already recalling bad memories of the past.
Damn.
There was no running away from this like before. There was only one option, to face it head-on.
The soft tap of the water droplets against the window calmed my nerves.
“Alright,” I caved, slowly reopening my eyes. “So what’s your plan?”
He stilled. No response coming from him.
Searching his midnight ocean eyes, there was a bleakness, and then I realized.
“You don’t have one.” Fine lines of irritation burned in my words, causing me to cross my arms.
“Don’t blame me, kotyonok. I just got out of prison. If you haven’t noticed, I’m doing this as I go.”
There was an instinctual need to slap him in the face, but I restrained myself because my vows ordered me to comprehend and be lenient.
Lord, help this dear child of yours.
“Not everyone has such intelligence, so I understand you can’t think that far ahead. Let’s think.” I slyly insulted him as I urged to get rid of him. As fast as possible. One where no one could suspect him of leaving. A massive crowd of people would distract and draw attention away from him.
In the church, there were many events held throughout the year; if only there was a way to host a massive event and give him leeway to escape. Remembering the inmate from earlier praying a Lent prayer.
“Wait! Easter is coming up. During that week the town and the church will be flooded with festivities, mass, and celebrations. No one, not even the police, would dare investigate since most are religiously compromised. That would give you an opportunity to escape unnoticed.” I told him.
The corner of his lips tilted upward, making something in my stomach do backflips. “Along with that pretty face, you have a smart brain.”
Of course he had to ruin it with his mouth. Typical.
“I wish I could say the same. But alas, that’s too much to hope for. There are some things even God can’t fix.”
He let out a sigh of impatience but dealt with me. “When is Easter?”
“In four weeks. That should be enough time for you to prepare.” And to get the hell out of my life. I thought as I repressed a smile.
“Don’t be too happy yet.” He flicked my chin, his touch simmering afterwards as I longed to forget about it, but it was stuck there. “In four weeks, a lot can change. Who knows, kotyonok, you might even miss me when I’m gone.”
My brows jumped at his insinuation.
“Insani homines somniare possunt.” Crazy men can dream.
To that, he responded without blinking an eye. “Fortuna favet fortibus.” Fortune favors the brave.
This motherfu— he knew Latin too?
“Talented, aren’t we?” I eyed him dubiously.
“That’s no talent. When you want to be impressed, you’ll be crawling back to me for more.” Konstantin’s words teeter on the tip of his teeth.
My gaze dropped from his eyes to his lips— full, smooth lips that appeared experienced and tainted to kiss.
The tension enveloped us like a warm fire, and with time it only grew worse.
“Let me go,” I commanded, feeling uncomfortable being this close. My body was tired, damp, and strained— all I wanted to do was take a shower and go to sleep.
He didn’t make a snarky remark or question me. He simply removed his hands from me, the heat of his touch slowly dying like a drowning bonfire as he stepped a few steps back. Giving me space to move around.
“Thanks.” I remained neutral, taking a few steps forward towards my drawer, scrambling around for some change of clothes, and then opening the bathroom’s door. Flickering the light switch on as it brightened the stormy gray-blue atmosphere. “I’m going to take a shower.”
He turned his back slightly, watching me. “You don’t have to state your every movement. I can see the obvious.”
“I’m being held hostage. Don’t you think I could escape through the bathroom?”
“The bathroom doesn’t have windows.”
An eerie sensation pricked in my gut, wondering how long he had been watching or, worse yet, stalking me. I asked steadily. “How do you know that?”
“I tried to come in that way first but then noticed the window next to your bed, so I opted for that instead.” He explained casually and without shame.
Is this man for real?
And I thought he was some genius.
I deadpanned, shaking my head as I grabbed the knob and slammed the door behind me. Taking some time in the shower as the piping hot water tracked down my body to the tile floor and swallowed down the drain. Closing my eyes and letting all the heaviness weigh down upon me.