My thoughts keep alternating between the fear gnawing at my insides and my will to survive… to fight until the very end.

I can’t just sit and tremble with fear.

I have to try.

Walking back to the house, I look through every room except for the one I was held in. I don’t find anything that might help me escape. I’m walking through an entertainment room, sparing the bar a glance. Coming to another door, I peek inside, and then my eyebrows shoot up into my hairline.

Oh. My. God.

Demitri’s busy doing sit-ups, his lower half resting on a bench while his upper half moves without any effort on his part. There’s zero strain on his muscles, which tells me the man is much stronger than I thought.

Crap, I can’t even manage ten regular sit-ups.

Even doing a workout, there’s a wave of danger emanating from him, and I can’t deny how freaking hot he looks.

My eyes practically devour every inch of his golden skin, glistening with sweat while his six… no… eight pack tightens and contracts with every sit-up.

Holy hotness.

Suddenly Demitri sits up, and reaching for a towel, he wipes behind his neck as he rises to his feet. My eyes glide greedily over his abs, and then there’s one hell of a spark of attraction when I see the curved muscles of his hips that lead to sweatpants… and a bulge.

My mouth grows dry, and my skin warms as my abdomen clenches from the sight. My gaze roams up his body again and then locks on his eyes.

Instantly a blush creeps up my face from being caught red-handed blatantly staring at him. I dart away from the door and walk through the entertainment room as quickly as I can while suppressing the urge to slap myself.

Stupid, Ariana! Freaking drooling over your captor. Seriously? This isn’t some captive romance.

Feeling a little mortified that Demitri caught me staring, I drop down on the couch and switch on the TV. My eyes are glued to the screen while I strain to listen for any movement from the gym's direction.

I dare a glance to my right just as Demitri comes into the living room and almost sprain my neck to snap my eyes back to the TV.

Luckily he doesn’t say anything, and I wait a couple of seconds before I dare another glance, just in time to see him head up the stairs.

Still shirtless. The muscles of his back rolling beneath his skin.

Damn.

I shake my head hard and force my eyes back to the show I’m watching.

Stop, Ariana. Yes, he’s hot as hell. Emphasis on ‘hell.’

I take a deep breath, doing my best to ignore the overwhelming attraction I feel toward Demitri.

He’s dangerous and deadly and from another world. He kidnapped me, humiliated me, and hurt me.

Don’t forget that. Ever.

Chapter 8

DEMITRI

After showering, I change into a pair of cargo pants and a t-shirt, then sit down on the corner of the bed.