Over the past day, I forgot all about his appearance. For a moment, it’s hard to believe someone who looks like him is capable of killing people… has killed before.

He has a mixture of model-worthy looks and something rugged, disturbing the flawlessness just enough to make my ovaries swoon.

But then there’s his crappy personality, and it makes a scowl form on my face.

Still a jerk, even if he’s a hot one.

Demitri’s eyes snap to mine, and I quickly look back to the TV.

When even Ian is unable to hold my attention, I let out a miserable sigh and slant my gaze back to Demitri.

“How long will we stay here?” I ask.

Demitri turns his attention to me. “Just a week.”

Hoping he’ll answer more of my questions, I ask, “Where’s Alexei?”

“He’s trying to find the assassin that’s coming after you.”

My eyebrows arch up. “What will he do when he finds the person?”

There’s no emotion on Demitri’s face as he replies, “Kill him.”

Confusion slithers through me. “Why would he do that?”

“The Koslovs don’t condone the killing of innocent women.” His eyes drift over my face. “Even if they’re annoying.”

Ugh. Jerk.

A couple of seconds later, my teeth tug at my bottom lip before I whisper, “And the Vetrovs?”

Demitri stares at me for a moment before saying, “Only if the woman is a threat to Alexei.”

Which I’m not.

Hopefully.

“You can relax, Ariana. Until we hear from your father, I’m just here to make sure you stay alive.”

Yeah, right.

“What if you don’t hear from my father?”

Again he stares at me. “We’ll deal with that problem when it happens.”

I doubt Demitri will just let me go back to my life. My teeth tug at my bottom lip again as the apprehension trickles through my insides.

I lower my eyes to my wrists as dreadful thoughts begin to mull in my head.

Will I ever be able to return to my life, or is it gone forever?

It’s only been a day, and I’ve been choked, tossed around like a ragdoll, drugged, tied up, and left to relieve myself on a bed. What does that mean for tomorrow?

Right now, I only have a couple of bruises and have been humiliated.

But tomorrow… a bruise might become a broken bone.

Lost in my misery, I brush a finger over my left wrist.

Suddenly Demitri says, “We’re stuck here for a while. Just follow my rules, and you’ll be fine.”

Lifting my eyes, I meet his unwavering gaze. “What are the rules?”

“Don’t fight me.”

My eyes narrow on him. “Like hell. There’s no way I’m just going to let you throw me around and tie me up.”

“None of that will happen if you do what I say.”

I let out a disgruntled huff, and my anger from earlier returns, dimming the fear. “Do you get off on hurting and humiliating me?”

Demitri rises to his feet, and when he walks to where I’m sitting, every muscle in my body tenses. I move to get up, but before I can make a run for it, he’s right in front of me. He tilts his head, his eyes hard on me. “Yes, Ariana. It makes me hard as fucking steel to tie you to a bed while you screech until it feels like my ears are going to bleed.”