Page 20 of Captive Union
“Kira?” Elena says. “Kira, say something.”
Kira looks away from me and back at her family. “I love you all so much. Tell Alexei and Ana that I love them, too. And Arina, of course. Make sure she knows how much I’ve appreciated her support over the years. Elena, you’re the best sister anyone could ever ask for. And Maxim, you tried. I’m not mad at any of you. Mom, stay strong.”
“Kira, no,” Elena cries out. “Don’t say stuff like that. Maxim will find you and save you. You don’t need to resign yourself to this fate.”
“I’m coming for you. I promise,” Maxim says roughly.
Kira smiles sadly at them all. “I hope for that.”
“Good,” I cut in. “That sounds like enough for today.” I reach over to turn the computer off.
“Kira!” Elena cries once more before the screen goes black.
Silence fills the room.
“Happy to see your family?” I ask Kira.
Kira just slumps to the floor, looking numb.
“I know this is tough,” I say, trying to soften my voice. “But I trust that in time, you’ll come around to me. All of this will be much easier if you do.”
After my words of encouragement, as good as I am at that—and I’m not usually very good at comforting people—I walk back upstairs, taking my computer with me and shutting the door behind me, locking Kira in again.
I try to shake the feeling that has come over me. Seeing Kira on the ground, looking spent, made me feel guilty. Just slightly.
I push it away. I don’t have time for pathetic feelings like that. I have a wedding to plan.
CHAPTER7
Kira
Seeing my family hurt more than I could have imagined. I thought seeing their faces would be a source of comfort, but it did the opposite. Now I miss them even more. It was like they were so close and yet so far out of my reach.
One positive thing came out of that meeting, though—I learned more about Erik. He revealed he was hurt when Maxim killed his brother and that his father gifted him the bar that Alexei blew up. I knew Erik was angry over how my brothers treated him, but hearing it straight from his mouth made me feel the tiniest bit sympathetic toward him. He’s not doing this to be mean. He has a purpose. And while I hate that I’m a part of it, I can’t fully blame him for wanting to get back at my brothers. They messed up.
It just sucks that I’m the one stuck in a basement with no idea where I am and no clue what Erik might do to me.
Well, I do know one thing.
He wants us to marry.
Even though I’m an adult now, I still feel like a child in so many ways. Since I was kept inside most of my life, I didn’t interact much with people outside my family. And being shy makes me feel stunted at times. Like maybe I’d feel more mature if I could speak up for myself.
I see how Erik looks at me with desire in his eyes. I might be sheltered, but I’m not naïve. If we get married, I know what he’ll expect of me, and I know I’m nowhere near ready to give that part of me over, especially to him.
I’ll admit I’m attracted to him but taking me prisoner makes him less desirable. The way Erik laid claim to me, the way he holds the power, we could never be equals in a marriage, which means there could never be true love. I always imagined being married and in love. Now, it seems I won’t have that option, which saddens me more than I’d like to admit.
A couple of days pass stuck in this basement room. Erik brings me food three times a day and tries to make small talk, but I keep to myself and eat. Eventually, he gives up and goes back upstairs. I can tell I’m frustrating him by not giving him what he wants—attention. Well, so sue me for not giving the man who kidnapped me what he wants.
I can’t make out anything outside the basement. The walls are too thick, and there are no windows. Occasionally, I hear footsteps upstairs, more than one pair. Either Erik’s entertaining guests, or he has staff working around the house.
I yearn to go up and socialize, which is a first for me. When I had the choice to spend time by myself, I gladly took it. Now that all my choices have been stripped from me, I hate the solitude.
I hate that I feel like I’m changing, becoming someone I’m not—someone needy. Maybe that’s Erik’s plan. Make me so desperate for others that I’ll gladly spend time with him. It’s not a bad idea. Right now, going on multiple days stuck in a room alone, I’ve started to crave when Erik comes down with my meals.
When the door opens and his footsteps descend the stairs, I feel my heart skip a beat. And when Erik stands before me, offering a plate of food, I resist the urge to speak to him. I weirdly want to ask him how his days have been, which is stupid. I can’t be stupid. I need to be strong as my mother said. I can’t let Erik corrupt me.
I nod in thanks for the food and start to dig in.
