Page 39 of Unbridled Fire
He closed the door, and I rushed to the toilet, needing to take care of business before I did anything else. After relieving my bladder, I rose, feeling along the wall with my bound hands; searching for anything that could be used as a weapon. I tried to open the cabinets under the sink, but the handles were zip tied together.
“You done?” my guard asked.
“Almost! One more minute.”
I continued to search, but sadly, couldn’t find anything that could be used as a weapon. Feeling defeated, I flushed the toilet.
“Done!” I called.
My captor walked me back to the chair in the small bedroom. Removing the cuffs, he pushed me into the chair and bound my wrists and ankles again.
“Is there anything I can say to make you consider letting me go?”
Straightening, his gaze roved over me. “No. I’ve been given orders not to touch you. Oskar wants you to implicate Michael Caruso, and he wants you unharmed.For now.”
I pursed my lips, realizing how common it was for women to sell their bodies in his world to gain the upper hand. Hell, Elena had done it for years, and it had ultimately led to her death. My situation was dire, but I was glad that I wouldn’t be sexually assaulted...by this guy, at least.
“What is your name?” I asked softly in Russian.
His eyes narrowed slightly. “Dima said you’d ask me that. He likes you.”
“I like him too, and I’m sad that both of you are stuck in this world.”
We studied each other, and I realized that although he wasn’t as young as Dmitry, he was still in his early twenties. So young with so much life ahead of him.
He slowly backed toward the door, and uttered one quiet word. “Maxim.”
Inhaling a deep breath, I gave a slow nod. “Maxim. Nice to meet you.”
His gaze lingered on me for a few seconds, and I could tell his resolve was wavering.
“If you let me go, I won’t tell anyone—”
“I’ll bring you more water in an hour,” he said, his shoulders straightening as all emotion left his expression. “Don’t struggle. It will just make you tired.”
Pivoting, he left the room and shut the door behind him.
My nostrils flared as I comprehended the small kernel of information he’d given me. Dmitry had a soft spot for me. It wasn’t a lot, but it was something. If only I could relay the info to Alexis or Leo... Maybe they could approach Dmitry and ask him to intervene?
I had no idea, but I clung to hope as I tried to formulate a plan to save myself before I met the same sad fate as my sister...
Chapter 14
Katia
My eyes slowly opened and I glanced toward the room’s only window. It was covered by a thick shade, but I could see a faint outline of sunlight. Blinking rapidly, I felt the crusty remnants of sleep in my eyes. God, what I wouldn’t give for a shower. My entire body felt grimy, and I needed to pee again.
Maxim walked in and held up the two pairs of handcuffs. “Ready for the bathroom again?”
“Yes,” I said, my voice raspy from my dry throat. “And some water.”
“We’ll do the bathroom first. Let’s go.”
He untied me and chained me in the cuffs like last time. When he escorted me back, he tied me up and held a cold bottle of water to my mouth.
“Thank you,” I said, sighing as the cool liquid slid down my throat. “Can I have more?”
He gave me another sip before backing away and setting the bottle on the table.
