Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 76820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
My jaw drops as I get a full view of his chest.
Jesus.
Chiseled abs and a perfect V disappearing into the low-hanging waistband of his sweatpants instantly make me breathless.
There are so many tattoos.
God.
Viktor has a star inked on each shoulder and a weird cross made of skulls with angel wings on the sides in the middle of his chest.
There’s a dark row of hair from his navel to the fabric.
My tongue darts out to wet my dry lips, and I feel a flare of panic in my chest.
Of course, the devil himself will look like a damn angel.
Just because he’s the most attractive man I’ve ever laid eyes on doesn’t mean I’m attracted to him. That would be insane.
Viktor Vetrov is a monster who killed my family and took me from everything I loved.
My eyes snap to his, and seeing that he was watching me stare at him has me fleeing past him and up the stairs to my bedroom. I slam the door shut and press my back to it.
Sucking in deep breaths, I close my eyes and try to erase the image of his bare chest and abs from my mind.
I hate him.
I hate him so much.
No matter what happens, I can never forget the pain he caused me today.
Chapter 6
Viktor
Even though I only had two hours of sleep, I’m ready at eight o’clock to face whatever the day will bring.
Rosalie hasn’t come out of her bedroom since she practically drooled at the sight of my chest. It was an interesting moment, but it doesn’t mean shit in my books. She’s a girl with nowhere to go, and that’s the end of the story.
Knowing Rosalie won’t be able to escape the grounds, I head over to my parents’ place so I can explain my reasoning behind kidnapping Rosalie. I’m more worried about Aunt Bella than my parents and Uncle Alexei. After all, my dad kidnapped my mom to save her life. That’s how they met.
When I step into the house, I hear my dad say, “I’m sure he has a good reason. Let’s wait to hear what it is.”
Of course, they would already know. I swear a bird can shit in Russia, and they’d know within an hour.
That’s why I’m so good at tracking. I was trained by the best.
Entering the dining room, everyone’s eyes turn to me. I let out a sigh and pull a chair out. I sit down and look at my family. “I took the girl because she’s only seventeen and has nowhere to go. It was either that or one of us killing her, which I wasn’t going to allow.”
Just like I expected, my parents nod, understanding on their faces.
“When is she leaving?” Uncle Alexei asks.
I lock eyes with my godfather. “Once she turns twenty-one.”
His eyebrows lift. “Four years?”
“Three,” I correct him. “She’s turning eighteen next week.”
“That’s a very long time to keep the girl against her will,” Aunt Bella says. “It will do more harm than good.”
I turn my gaze to my aunt. “Rosalie has nothing and no one. Sure I can shove money into her hand and send her on her way, but she won’t survive. The girl is weak. She doesn’t have any survival instincts.”
“She can’t be a captive for three years, Viktor,” Aunt Bella argues.
We stare at each other for a moment before I say, “It’s not your call to make. The girl is staying with me where she will be safe. It’s not open for discussion. I’m merely offering you an explanation out of respect.”
She shakes her head, clearly not happy with my decision.
Letting out a sigh, I tighten my control on my temper. “Rosalie doesn’t have an ounce of strength in her body. She’s beautiful and innocent. She’s the perfect target. Word is already out that I took the girl. Do you really think our enemies are not going to target her?”
“Viktor has a point,” Dad agrees. “The fact that he took her already shows he cares. Anyone of the thousands of enemies we have might think it’s a good idea to try and use the girl against him.”
“I’m sure Viktor knows what he’s doing,” Mom stands up for me. “He won’t hurt her.”
Aunt Bella doesn’t look convinced. “You took part in killing her family. I can’t see her ever feeling safe here. It must be traumatizing for her.”
“It’s not your problem,” I remind her.
Before anyone else can say another word, I stand up. “Rosalie will be safe with me. It’s the only thing that matters. This subject is no longer open for discussion.”
When Aunt Bella lets out a huff, I add, “Need I remind you that you married the man who practically kidnapped you.”
My aunt lost her memory in an accident, and Uncle Alexei pretended they were engaged to keep her with him. In my books, that’s a hell of a lot worse than what I’m doing.