A chill slithered down my spine. He was dead serious. What the hell did I agree to? I swallowed and asked, “Can you at least remind me what the deal was?”
I had no idea what it took to get on his good side, if he even had one. His life seemed empty, filled with nothing but loneliness, power, and control.
“Does it involve my death?” I pressed on.
“Leave.” His voice was deceptively calm.
“This isn’t fair.”
He smirked. “You have seen nothing yet, Little Gem.”
Little Gem? I thought I misheard him the first time. What the fuck was that, and why did it feel so familiar? A memory flashed through my mind. I was on his lap, arms around his shoulders, whispering for him to say my name.
Wait. I gasped, locking eyes with him as his voice echoed in my head. “Rodion Konstantinov.”
Rodion Konstantinov?
Was that his name? No. But the way his expression changed after I mentioned his name made me believe so. But I needed answers to one more question.
“So, you won’t kill me?”
He scoffed, his voice dropping to something rougher. “I’ve changed my mind. I won’t kill you or let anyone touch you.”
That sounded worse. “Why?” I whispered.
A slow smirk ghosted his lips. “How could I kill someone who’s going to give me what I desire?”
I shivered. “What do you desire?”
“Don’t flatter yourself.“ He stood, glancing at his watch. “Now, go see the doctor and do exactly what I’ve instructed.”
“The doctor?”
“When you’re done, come to me with the results.”
And just like that, he walked to his table and began his work forthe day. Only one thought echoed in my head.
I had signed a deal with the devil.
Chapter Eighteen
Alessia
I sat on a metalbench pushed into the far corner of the clinic. Doctor Dorothy moved around, her latex gloves stained with blood. One man seated on the exam table grimaced as Dorothy cleaned a deep cut on his upper arm and wrapped it with a clean strip of gauze. Three more men were in the room with fresh injuries: split lips, purple bruises, and untreated cuts.
It looked like a battlefield aftermath. Like they had crawled out of some hellish fight. When I walked in, Dorothy motioned for me to sit. She drew my blood and moved on without a word or an explanation. I wanted to ask her why I was being tested and what Artur wanted with my blood. Deep down, I knew it was about the deal with him. But now, surrounded by bloodied men, it felt like the wrong moment to speak. So, I just sat and waited.
One soldier stood up and adjusted his jacket, wincing as he moved. He had a swollen cheek, and his knuckles looked like someone had dragged them across concrete. He left, and I hopedI could be alone with Dorothy. Maybe she would explain why they were interested in my blood.
But Dorothy approached me as if sensing my plan. She held an envelope. “Take this to the boss,” she said. “It’s ready.”
I stood up quickly, my heart already beating fast. “What is this about?” I asked before she could walk away.
She peeled off her gloves one finger at a time and tossed them into a nearby bin. “I’m sure the boss will explain,” she replied, already turning.
“Wait—” I stepped forward.
But the door creaked open before I could finish. Matvet walked in, his eyes scanning the room before settling on me. He gave me that soft look before turning to Dorothy.