Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 75814 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75814 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
My jaw clenches as I process the fact that they have Yegor’s forgotten granddaughter, who’s just become a valuable chess piece to me.
“The fat bitch can cook.” Ivanov shrugs, then he chuckles sadistically. “We’ve had her prepare our meals while starving her.”
“You thought you could decide who lives and dies without my authorization,” I growl, making the grin drop from his face. “Take me to the woman!”
I have to suppress the urge to kill the stupid motherfucker right here and now as I follow him out the back. The instant I take in the pile of decomposing bodies lying a hundred feet or so away, his death warrant is signed, but then my eyes land on a woman who’s curled up in the corner of a fucking animal pen.
The blouse, skirt, and makeshift bandage around her left calf are all filthy, and her blond hair is matted.
Just as I glance over the bruises marring her arms and legs, Ivanov unlocks the gate and barks, “Come!”
It takes a moment before she lethargically lifts her head. Gaunt from starvation, with collarbones jutting beneath the filthy blouse, she looks too weak to stand.
Another second passes before I recognize her, and my breath leaves me in a sharp exhale as I stare at Anastasia.
Iisus Khristos!
For five fucking years, I wondered where she disappeared to after she never showed up outside the theater. I searched until every lead went cold, eventually forcing myself to accept I would never see her again.
I fucking mourned her.
The vibrant, curvy woman who stole my heart in a single night is Yegor’s estranged granddaughter, and these fuckers have reduced her to someone I barely recognize.
Rage begins to vibrate deep in my chest, threatening to erupt from me like a volcano spewing lava.
Anastasia looks at me for a moment, then her features crumble, and she whimpers, “You… finally… found me.”
My heart clenches painfully, and something ugly creeps out of the dark depths of my soul. It wants revenge for what was done to the only woman who’s ever been able to capture my attention.
Her head lolls to the side as she struggles to keep her eyes open.
I was angry because the stupid fucks wiped out Yegor’s family, but seeing what they’ve done to Anastasia robs me of every ounce of self-control I possess.
Anastasia
Yesterday Ms. Fedorova was kicked to death, and I watched as they threw her onto the growing pile of bodies.
Afterward, they drank while it took the last of my strength to prepare dinner for them. I was so weak I had to crawl from the kitchen to the pen, which made them all laugh.
Even though there was no love lost between my family and me, witnessing human beings, even cruel ones, being butchered right in front of me destroyed something inside me I thought was unbreakable.
I’ve lost the determination to survive whatever life throws at me.
The sickening stench of death drifts from the decomposing bodies, making my shriveled stomach roll and bile burn the back of my throat, but there’s nothing in me to throw up.
How much will it hurt when they kill me?
My brain shuns the thought and goes to the only safe place there is. As I slip into my memories of the theater and Rodian, I can feel the life draining from my emaciated body with every passing second.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
The gate clanks as it’s unlocked, chilling the blood in my veins, then Bogdan barks, “Come!”
Is it already time to make food?
I learned his name a few days ago but still don’t know what any of the other soldiers are called.
My breathing speeds up as I try to get my body to move, but I’m only able to lift my head.
If I can’t get up, they’ll kill me now.
My sight takes a moment to focus, and as I look past Bogdan, I see a vision in black combat clothes.
I always fantasized that Rodian would wear a suit and his hair would be short like the night we met, not tied up in a manbun with strands hanging loose.
He looks wild and dangerous, but happy that I’ll see him in my final seconds, I whimper, “You… finally… found me.”
“Crazy, Svinya! Show respect to the new pakhan,” Bogdan snaps angrily as he comes at me.
New pakhan?
My gaze shifts from Rodian to the other four men, wondering which of them overthrew my grandfather.
Before Bogdan can grab hold of me, Rodian storms forward and wraps his arm around the soldier’s neck, hauling him out of the pen.
Unable to keep my head up, I slump against the rusted rails.
“Boss!” Bogdan shouts as Rodian throws him to the side, and when he climbs to his feet, he seems confused as he asks, “What are you doing?”
Rodian walks right up to Bogdan and looks him dead in the eye, the expression on his face downright murderous. “You acted without my authority.”