Page 10 of Loathe Me (Touch of Death 1)
“Hello?”
There’s no answer, but I can’t imagine that they left me alone. I round the wall that divides the living room from the dark kitchen. I can see well enough to make my way to the refrigerator. Opening the door, I peer inside to find a lot of empty space. There’s a carton of coffee creamer, a lot of wine, some baby food, and that’s pretty much it.
“Here.”
I jump out of my skin at the sound of someone behind me. Sucking in a sharp breath, I whirl around, pressing my back to the refrigerator until I almost climb inside it. Light spills around me, reaching across the room to highlight the shadowy form of Sasha who sits at the breakfast bar like a statue.
I press my hand to my chest. “You scared me.”
“Then you should be more aware.” His voice has the edge of an accent, harsh and guttural. Russian, I think.
He slides something across the breakfast bar, and I peer at what looks like a take-out menu. I close the refrigerator door, plunging us into darkness once more. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, and my heart thuds erratically. My body knows I’m in the presence of danger, but my mind can’t rationalize that he isn’t a danger to me. A tiger might seem friendly, Lina. Doesn’t mean he won’t bite you.
Stepping away, I fumble around for the light switch on the wall. I scoop up the take-out menus he hands me and skim over the top one. He gives me his phone, and I place my order without ever taking my eyes off him. And when I’m done, I hand him his phone, and he gets up and strolls away. I take a seat at the breakfast bar and wait, alone.
There’s a steady clicking on the floors before a dog rounds the corner of the breakfast bar, his claws tapping on the marble. The Doberman stills, and his hackles rise. Slowly, I drop my hand, and he steps forward, sniffing it before creeping closer. I tentatively stroke over his shiny coat. Bit by bit, he moves closer until he finally places his head on my thigh and closes his eyes. My heart squeezes. Despite the people occupying the penthouse, I’ve never been more alone. But this animal…his silent companionship, his trust makes me feel a little less isolated for a moment.
We sit like that until a beeping sound cuts through our moment of peace. I look up, trying to locate the source of the noise. The phone on the wall next to the elevator has a flashing green light on it. That must be the pizza. My stomach rumbles at the thought. Getting up, I walk through the lobby with the soft click of the dog’s claws tapping after me.
Removing the receiver, I place it to my ear. “Hello.”
“Good evening, ma’am. There is a delivery here for the penthouse.”
“Thank you.” I hang up and press the button for the elevator.
After a few seconds, it dings, and the doors glide open, allowing me inside. The dog whines before turning around and wandering back into the kitchen. My gaze drifts to the floor where my pink painted toenails catch my attention. It is hard to believe it was only yesterday that I sat on my bed in my dorm, chatting to my roommate about boys. It feels like a lifetime ago. The doors whir shut and then jolt to a halt a fraction of a second before I’m yanked forward. My back hits a wall and warm air breezes over my face.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Sasha hisses. His muscular frame towers over me, and his fingers dig into the tops of my arms so hard I’ll be bruised.
“I’m, getting pizza.” I stumble, instantly feeling like an idiot.
“You’re just going to walk into the downstairs lobby, on your own, knowing someone is trying to take you?”
My cheeks heat, and I avert my eyes. When he puts it like that… “I just—”
“Just nothing. Use your brain. I can’t protect you from your own stupidity.” His voice is like the crack of a whip. Shoving away from me, he slams his hand over the button for the elevator. Crippling tension lingers between us as we both wait for that ding that will free us from the confined space. As soon as it sounds, I release a breath. The doors glide open, and he steps inside. When the doors close, my body slumps, and the dog trots over, whining before he nudges my hand.
On a sigh, I make my way back to the breakfast bar and take a seat. Seconds later, the elevator pings again, and Sasha walks towards me with the pizza box in hand. He dumps it on the bar without so much as a word and walks away. I tell myself not to, but I can’t help but fear him. He seems more animal than human. The way he moves, the shift of his eyes around a room, like he’s waiting for a threat to pounce at any second…just being around him puts me on edge.
