Page 15 of Trapping His Angel

“I don’t want to get used to this world,” I said firmly, the words spilling out before I could stop them. “I want to get out of here.”

Valentina didn’t respond right away and I could feel her hesitating. Finally, she said, “We all want that. But until then, we have to survive. That’s all any of us can do.”

If this is survival, why does it feel like I’m dying every day?

Her words hung in the air between us as we walked, the tension easing slightly as the garden opened into a small clearing. A stone bench sat beneath an archway of climbing roses, and for a moment, it felt almost peaceful. Almost.

“I’m not sure parties are my version of survival,” I said, breaking the silence. “But I’ll think about it.”

Valentina gave me a small smile, one that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “That’s all anyone can ask.”

Valentina and I walked through the garden.

“A long time ago, the Pakhan peeled the faces off of so many men, because he couldn’t find Tiffany,” Valentina said whimsically.

I held back the bile in my throat. “Sounds disgusting and unhygienic.”

“It’s romantic,” Valentina snapped back.

A hazy memory tore across my mind. I looked at her andrealized she’d changed since last year. She was stronger. Wiser. The mousy teacher who wanted everyone to get along was nowhere to be found, and in her place was a woman who’d seen some shit. There was a darker edge to her, like she’d taken a life or something. I mean, she wasn’t that good of an assassin when Headmaster Mikhail was alive. I hadn’t forgotten that; it came back to me slowly.

I doubted she got her hands dirty now.

Unlike the Pakhan’s wife, Tiffany Petrov. Ditsy, she may seem, but she was the stuff of legends. I wouldn’t forget meeting her for a long time. I wanted to meet Viktor Petrov even less.

I knew the day would be coming. Especially with Benedikt Petrov breathing down my neck half the time. I wondered where he was at this moment. Neediness. Something I hated about myself.

Even though I couldn’t remember, I knew something was broken inside of me. I hadn’t felt right. But as I walked through the soothing garden filled with poisonous plants, I realized I wanted more for myself. I just didn’t know how to achieve it.

If I’m so broken, why am I still here?

Valentina’s phone pinged, and she stopped walking, to pull it out and respond.

“The car has pulled to the front. Let’s go get you some new clothes.” She smiled, but I couldn’t return it. I would not feel happy about spending my captors’ money. These men were no doubt just that. If they weren’t, they would’ve let me and the others go by now, wouldn’t they?

I wouldn’t think about my time on the boat watching Benedikt. I needed to keep away from that man. He made my brain go numb by his mere presence. Something I couldn’t afford to do when I didn’t have memories to begin with.

We walked around the extensive property to the front gate. It took longer than I thought, and I got to see how much morethis place offered. There was a lake with a small beach, and I saw a figure swimming in the distance there.

When we got to the gate, a dark sedan waited for us with the engine running. A driver stepped out, and nodded to me and Valentina, before opening the door for us. I climbed in and Valentina slid in beside me, but we didn’t take off, nor did the driver close the door.

Curious, I asked, “What are we waiting for?”

Valentina texted on her phone, not looking at me. “One more person to arrive.”

A few minutes later, that person slid in beside Valentina. I looked over her to see who we had to wait for, and my heart started beating faster in my chest when my gaze met his.

“Hello,malen'kiy angel,”Benedikt greeted. His men had surrounded him as he approached.

I didn’t respond, pursing my lips slightly, embarrassed I hadn’t dared to greet him.

His gaze feels like it’s burning through me. Maybe that’s what dying feels like.

He grabbed me by the throat and drug me closer to him. I trembled, as he placed a rough kiss on my lips for all to see. “Playing hard to get?” He murmured against my lips.

I shook my head, confused by the feelings he stirred within me. He took it the wrong way, released me with a huff, and whipped out his phone. Valentina ignored the tension, and had her phone in front of her. Benedikt leaned down and whispered something in her ear.

A dark visceral feeling built inside of me seeing them so close, even though I knew Valentina was with Roman. A part of me felt like Benedikt was making a move on my sister. However, Valentina turned to me with a smile.