Chapter 13 Chapter 13
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Irina's POV
My whole body felt like it was made of stone. I was so tired. Fear had drained all my energy. But I refused to sleep next to him.
So I stood by the glass wall for what felt like forever, just watching the dark water outside. My legs started to ache, but I didn't care. It was better than being in that bed.
I turned to look at him. He looked so much like Dimitri in the dim light, and the sight made my heart ache.
But he was not Dimitri. He was a monster.
He was fast asleep. I watched his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm.
Amd a tiny spark of hope lit inside me. Maybe I could get out. Maybe I could find another room to sleep in, a closet, anything.
I turned away from the window slowly. The carpet was soft under my bare feet. I took one step. Then another. I didn't make a sound. My eyes were fixed on the bedroom door. It seemed so far away.
If I could just get to the door. If I could just get out.
My heart was beating so fast I thought it would jump out of my chest. I finally reached the door. My hand trembled as I reached for the metal handle. It was cold against my palm.
I turned the handle quietly. I was almost there.
Then, a shadow fell over me.
I froze. My blood ran cold.
I turned my head slowly.
"Ah!" I screamed, stumbling back against the door.
Alexei was right behind me. His chest was bare. His green eyes were wide open and looking straight down at me. He wasn't sleeping at all. He had been watching me the whole time.
He didn't say a word. His face showed no emotion. He just bent down and picked me up like I was a rag doll.
"No! Let me go! Put me down!" I shouted. I kicked my legs and hit his chest with my fists. "You animal! Put me down!"
It was useless. He was too strong. He carried me back to the bed as if I were nothing. He laid me down on the soft mattress. He wasn't rough, but he wasn't gentle either.
I glared at him, my breath coming in ragged gasps. I was so angry and so scared I couldn't even speak.
He pulled the blanket up, tucking it around my shoulders. The action was so normal, so caring, but it felt all wrong.
"Sleep," he said. His voice was quiet.
That soft voice scared me more than his yelling ever could.
"Monster," I whispered. The word was weak, but it was all I had.
He just looked at me and a slow, and cold smile appeared on his face. It was a terrible smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"I know," he said, his voice deep.
Then he walked to the other side of the bed and got in. I lay there, stiff as a board. I could feel the warmth of his body next to mine. I didn't close my eyes for a long time. I just stared at the ceiling, listening to the sound of the waves and his breathing.
The sun was shining when I opened my eyes. For a second, I forgot where I was. Then I remembered.
I turned my head. The other side of the bed was empty. The pillow was still dented from his head.
He was gone.
A huge wave of relief washed over me. I sat up quickly. My body was still tired, but my mind was awake. This was my chance. I could look for a phone. A way to call Dimitri. Or find a way to escape.
I swung my legs out of bed. My feet touched the soft carpet and I took a step towards the door.
The bedroom door opened.
And I froze.
Was he back already?
Six women walked in quietly, one after the other. They were all dressed in the same simple grey dresses. They stopped in front of me and bowed their heads together.
I stared at them, confusion etched on my face.
The woman in front spoke. "Good morning, Miss. The Pakhan has given us orders. We are to attend to you."
I stared at her, not understanding. "Attend to me?"
"Yes, Miss," she said. "We will bathe you, dress you, and make sure you are comfortable. We will take care of you until the baby is born."
I looked at their serious faces. I looked at the fancy room. And suddenly, it was all so ridiculous and so insane.
A laugh burst out of me. I laughed and laughed until tears streamed down my face. I couldn't stop.
The women looked at each other, confused and worried.
"The audacity!" I finally choked out, wiping my eyes. "Who says I will be here until I give birth? Who says I want your help? Go tell your Pakhan... go tell him to go lick his own ass!"
My voice was loud now, filled with all my anger. "Get out! All of you! Get out of here right now!"
The women looked scared. They started to back away towards the door.
But then the door opened again.
Alexei stood there. He was wearing a black suit, looking clean and perfect. His eyes moved from my angry, tear-streaked face to the women who were trying to leave.
His voice was calm but hard as steel. "I gave them the orders." He was looking only at me. "You will comply," he said.
My courage disappeared immediately and fear took its place. "Or what?" I whispered.
He took a step into the room. His green eyes were dark and serious.
"Or I will bathe you myself," he said quietly. "And I promise you, Irina, you will not like what happens after that."
My face felt hot with shame. My whole body went cold. I understood his threat perfectly. I had no choice. None at all.
I lowered my eyes to the floor. The fight suddenly went out of me.
"Psychopath," I hissed, my voice trembling.
He didn't react. He just watched as I walked past him with my head down, and followed the six women to the bathroom.
I didn't speak as they bathed me. I didn't speak as they rubbed sweet-smelling lotion on my skin. I didn't speak as they helped me into a beautiful, blue silk dress. It was expensive and felt soft on my skin, but it felt like a prison uniform.
When they were done, they led me out of the room. We walked through the bright, white hallways. The house was huge and quiet. Everything was modern and expensive, but it felt cold and empty.
They brought me to a big dining hall. The whole wall was a window, showing a terrifyingly beautiful view of the sea. The water was blue and went on forever. There was no land in sight. No escape.
Alexei was already there. He was sitting at the head of a long, shiny wooden table. He was dressed in a black suit, reading a newspaper. And a cup of coffee was steaming next to him.
He looked up as I walked in. He didn't smile. He just looked at me with those cool green eyes.
I bit down on my lips till I tasted blood.
How do I relate with this bastard without thinking of Dimitri?
This was torture.
He gestured to the chair right next to him.
"Come, Irina," he said. His voice was neutral, like he was talking about the weather. "Let's have breakfast.”