“How can I believe anything you say?” she counters and holds up one of her bruised wrists. I stare at Ariana until she starts to squirm, looking uncomfortable. Then she mutters, “Also doesn’t help when you give me that look of death.”

Needing to set things straight, I say, “I understand you’re scared. I’m only keeping you safe out of respect to the head of the Bratva, which means I’m getting nothing from it. Just like you, I don’t want to be here.”

I let the words sink in, then add, “If you attack me, I’m going to restrain you. I won’t hurt you, and I sure as fuck have no interest in touching you. You’re just a job, Ariana.”

A weird look flashes across her face, and then she turns her attention back to the TV, doing her best to ignore me, which suits me just fine.

ARIANA

I didn’t get much sleep last night, with Demitri sitting on the other couch, watching me like a guard dog. I kept dozing off only to jerk awake with fright.

I only stayed on the couch because I didn’t have the strength to face that bedroom.

I feel off-balance, my emotions constantly jumping from being terrified to feeling embarrassed with what happened last night to anger.

After making myself some coffee, I decide to explore my prison in the hopes of finding a way to escape. Opening the sliding doors, I step out onto the deck and slowly make my way down the steps. I wait to see if Demitri is going to come after me, but when there’s no sign of him, I head in the direction of the trees.

Even though I’m living a nightmare, I can’t ignore the beauty around me. The air is fresh, and birds chirp from the treetops, and it has a calming effect on me. I find the highest boulder from where I can see the mainland, and the sight gives me a sinking feeling.

I’ll never be able to swim that distance.

I glance over the lake, hoping to see someone out on their boat, but there’s no one.

Letting out a sigh, my thoughts turn back to yesterday. I don’t understand the flash of disappointment I felt when Demitri said I was just a job.

It’s because it will be easier for him to kill you if he doesn’t see you as a human being… an innocent woman.

I need to change the way he sees me. If I can’t escape, then maybe I can make him care enough that he won’t be able to kill me.

It feels like an impossible task.

He had no problem tossing me around and tying me up, so the chances of making him see me as a woman are probably next to nothing.

Glancing over my shoulder, I stare back at the impressive mansion.

God, I’m at Demitri’s mercy, and I’m not sure he has any.