Avrora
He walks in, and the door swings shut, the sound of the click lingering like a reminder that I don't know who I'm dealing with.
The biker jacket is gone, but he still has the same drifter look, enhanced by the expanse of muscle on his arms, which I can clearly see now, bulging against his fitted T-shirt.
My eyes flick to the clothes folded in his hands. I spot a gray T-shirt and something stretchy like yoga pants. I assume those are for me, and my stomach drops.
The beginning of a smile tips his full, sensual lips, revealing dimples that make his already handsome face more striking. I stare back at him, trying to figure him out, but I can't. His personality seems to have several things going on, and I'm not sure what part of him I'm going to get.
From the predatory vibe emanating from him, I know to stay focused because despite everything, he's dangerous. All the Scarfonis are, but this one is the one to watch.
Especially with that rune on his wrist.
The only time I've ever seen it was in books about the Viking gods and paintings of Raventhorn, the founder of the Knights.
Anatoli stops paces away, his smile coming to fruition and his scent wrapping around me.
"Alone at last, Princess." A twinkle lights up his eyes as he holds out the clothes for me to take. "These are for you to change into. Your clothes will be brought over tomorrow."
Over my dead body. I want to tell him just that, but I hold my tongue. It's best not to start my negotiation with a hostile attitude. At the same time, I don't want him to think I'm weak.
Ignoring his outstretched hand, I set my shoulders back and glare at him.
"What is going on?" At least I sound more confident than I feel. I've always been good at that, and I'm glad to see some things haven't left me.
"I was right. You are as fiery as a Valkyrie." His voice takes on a sing-song edge, irritating me. "I wonder what else I'll find out about you."
"Nothing. I want to know what is going on."
"You were at the church, weren't you, Princess?"
"Yes, I was, but there's more, isn't there?"
"Yes." Casually, he sets the clothes on the wooden chair next to me, never breaking his gaze from mine.
"Okay, so tell me. Tell me why you've suddenly come on the scene like a damn wild card and how come you've existed all this time with no one knowing about you. What are you planning? What are you planning for me?"
Something darkens in his face as he studies mine. He leans closer, as if trying to intimidate me, and although my nerves spike and scatter like darkness being chased away by light, I stand my ground.
"None of those are things you have to concern yourself with."
My blood heats at his lame-as-fuck answer. "If your plans involve my life, I need to know why you're doing this to me."
"Because I can." The cool nonchalance in his voice is as cold and uncaring as his Arctic stare.
"You can't just take me and think you're going to get away with it."
His sinful lips spread into a full smile that borders on psychotic. It makes me think he is.
"My dear Avrora, I've already gotten away with everything I wanted." His eyes bore into me. "What? Were you expecting someone like your precious Mikhail to come and save you?"
"Mikhail isn't going to allow you to do this to me. I was going to be his wife."
Anatoli steps closer. This time, I try to put some space between us by backing away, but I come up against the wall feeling like a little mouse when I gaze up at him. Next to this hulking man my little heels barely add a few inches to my five feet and three inches. He barricades me in by resting his hands on either side of me, trapping me further. Then, like a predator, he inches even closer, hovering a breath away.
I try to appear calm, but my heart pounds frantically, hammering out of cadence.
Can he see it?
Hear it?
"Baby girl..." His voice lowers a notch and deepens, making the adrenaline hammer through my veins. Lifting a lock of my hair, he allows it to coil around his finger, all the while keeping his eyes on me. "You've been at my home now for over two hours, and no one has come to save you. When I walked into your wedding and took you, not even the Pakhan could stop me. Believe me when I say there's not a damn thing Mikhail can do to get you back. He's as useless to you as your father."
"My father?" At the mention of Dad-where I was only echoing his words-his face takes on a savage edge.
"Yes, baby girl."
"This is crazy. You need to let me go. Whatever my father has done is nothing to do with me."
"Maybe so, but you're key to my plans."
"How am I key?" My voice shakes.
"Because like it or not, you are your father's heir and one of his assets. Since I'm taking everything he owns, that includes you." His mocking grin returns with a vengeance. "Your father has nothing, Avrora."
My God in heaven. "Nothing?"
"Not a goddam thing. Not his home, his company, and not you. Everything he owns is mine."
That's completely different to what the marriage contract stipulates.
"You are mine now."