Page 12 of Cruel Russian King
Frustrated, I dropped onto the bed, and then it hit me. If this was a spring mattress, maybe I could use my hooped earring to slice through the top layer and pull out a coil, since there wasn't even a mirror I could break and use as a knife. If I could bend the coil just right, I might be able to shape it into a lock pick. It was a long shot, but it was better than sitting here doing nothing.
I stood up, fingers already reaching for my earring, when the door creaked open.
I froze.
The blood rushed in my ears as I took a few cautious steps back, bracing myself for whoever, or whatever, was entering.
It was Artyom.
Relief hit me like a wave as he slipped into the room and quietly locked the door behind him. I rushed to him, wrapping my arms around him, so grateful he was okay. When I finally pulled back, I looked up at him, a thousand questions forming at once.
“Artyom are you okay? Did they hurt you? How did you escape?” I whispered, not sure who was on the other side of the door.
“I'm okay. They didn't hurt me.”
He didn't answer the last question but I was too relieved that he was in one piece to care.
“Do you have any idea where we are and who kidnapped us?”
“Yes, I do.”
“So what are we waiting for? Let's leave before whoever it is realizes that you're missing.”
I moved towards the door but he blocked my path.
“We can't, not yet anyway,” he said calmly.
“And why the hell not?” My voice rose slightly. “Were you able to call for help to come and get us out of here? Are you waiting for them to make a move?”
“No,” he said flatly.
What the hell was wrong with Artyom? Why was he stalling?
I tried to steady my breathing as my fists clenched at my side. I took a step away from him, my eyes lingering on his face trying to figure out what his game plan was.
Something flickered in his eyes before vanishing and a strange chill prickled down my spine.
Son of a bitch.
My breath caught. “It’s you. Isn’t it?” My voice trembled. “You did this.”
A slow, dangerous smirk curled at the corner of his mouth, confirming my suspicion.
Everything inside of me twisted.
Anger surged through me and I tried to move past Artyom to get to the door. But he grabbed my arms and lockedthem at my sides. That didn't stop me from trying to kick, bite or head butt him.
How dare he kidnap me! This shit was going to break both families! We all trusted him, thought our families had finally gotten the peace we longed for and he pulled this stunt.
Suddenly, Artyom shoved me back against the wall. I struggled, but he was stronger. He grabbed both wrists, yanking them above my head in one rough motion.
His other hand wrapped around my throat firmly, tilting my chin upwards.
My chest heaved and my heart pounded so hard I thought it was going to explode. His face hovered inches from mine. His cold stormy grey eyes locked on mine, making it impossible to look away.
The way he had me pinned against the wall should've felt dangerous but it didn't. It felt intimate and that scared the hell out of me more than him kidnapping me. I remained still under his touch.
My anger began to slip away with every second that passed. My gaze dropped to his lips.
