“But they’ll be worried.”
Not like I expect Valerian to understand how that feels. He’s only worried when his son tries to steal from him.
It makes me wonder if he even cares.
“You dragged me here against my own will and forced you to marry me. I’ve given up my life for you. And you won’t even let me send one text message?”
“As I said to you earlier, sweetheart, you’re not giving up as much as you think you are.” Valerian steps in. Shadows play onhis face as he corners me into the stone cloister. “You won’t be having any contact with the outside world.”
My chest pulls in every direction, panic closing up my throat. I try swallowing the lump in my throat. But that just makes it worse. No. We’re not doing this.
I’m not staying here.
I told Valerian he just married the wrong girl. And I’m gonna make sure of that.
What I’mnotgonna do is show Valerian how distraught I feel.
He doesn’t have empathy. A lot of men are like that. It’s best not to waste your time with them.
“You won’t be getting away with this.”
Valerian nods, a cruel smile toying with the ends of his lips.
And god, all I wanna do is kiss them. See how it feels. If he’s a better kisser than Igor.
I bet his father knows how to kiss. He’s more experienced.
I bet he would be the same age as my father now. I wouldn’t know for sure. Mom and I haven’t seen him since we left. But the fine lines carved into his face suggest experience. Unlike him, I don’t have a lot. Particularly in the bedroom. His son took my virginity. To date, he’s the only boy I’ve ever slept with.
“Don’t you think you’re taking this punishment too far?”
Valerian levels me a look. His face is getting dangerously close to mine. “How so?”
I step back, overwhelmed by how big he is. And how small I am compared to him.
“Take me out of the equation for a second—Igor is your son. Don’t you love him?”
Valerian searches both of my eyes.
I step back, but my lower back meets the stone wall. There’s nowhere to go now. And Valerian makes me feel even more trapped by stepping in, searching each of my eyes.
He leans in. His eyes are cruel. Cold. He really is a soulless man.
But my heart still rattles in my chest as he levels me a look. I feel my own wetness dripping down my thighs. My breath is gone.
Adrenaline surges through my body, filling all of my cells with life.
God, he’s so handsome he’s making me forget why I’m here—against my own will. He kidnapped me. And I’m here forever.
Which is a very fucking long time when you’ve been trapped with the wrong man.
“Don’t question my decisions, Joy. Otherwise, I can make this hell for you.”
8
VALERIAN
“Everything okay?”asks Nikolai, joining us outside.