I’m shaking my head, and on my feet before I can even register what he’s saying to me.
“You want me to marry the man who killed Eric?” I bleat out. The words just fly out of my mouth, pouring from my soul. “Are you serious?”
I know I’ve spoken out of turn, and of anyone, I’m not to speak to my father like this and definitely not in the presence of one of his guards. When I think of how Dmitri killed Eric though I can’t tamp down my rage, nor the shock that’s slamming through my heart.
Yes, I can admit to preempting he would choose someone for me to marry whenever the time came, but I never saw his retirement on the horizon. He’s a man I thought would die on his throne in his rule of tyranny.
“Isabella—”
“No, I can’t,” I cut in and a tear runs down my cheek.
When he looks to Dmitri, I experience a flight or fight response, but my body can’t choose which to do. I’m too late anyway to do anything. Dmitri grabs me, hands gripping my throat, a haughty smile lighting up his face at my pain.
I’m choking, gasping for breath, and this man is taking pleasure in my suffering the same way he enjoyed beating Eric to death.
Dmitri turns me to the tv so I can face my father and receive the rest of the orders he has for me.
“This is going to happen Isabella and you will obey,” Dad sneers. “Do I need to remind you what happens to those who misbehave?”
As the words leave his mouth, my skin crawls at the memory of his cruel hand doling out my last punishment. I recall with perfect clarity the sting of the whip on my back. Twenty lashes with a whip for trying to escape and ten more for lying to save my driver who he gave a bullet to the head for helping me.
That was two years ago. I couldn’t walk after for a week. He claims to love me. I don’t know how anybody could treat their own child the way he’s treated me. I’m a thing to him. Property.
Something he can use and exact his power over. That is all I am to him and that day when he whipped me, taking the skin off my back, he nearly killed me. He very nearly did, and I will always remember how it felt. It was almost as painful as watching him kill the man I loved.
The goal of the punishment was to tame me, break me, make me submit to the fact that I belong to him. The hidden lesson being if I want to live any kind of life this is the only way. His way. None other.
That’s how I feel now.
“Answer me,” Dad bellows and Dmitri’s hand tightens around my throat.
“No, you don’t,” I garble.
“Release her,” Dad orders and Dmitri obeys.
I look to the monster who was just holding me with hate in my eyes and he smiles back at me like I’ve said something funny.
“The wedding will take place in six months,” Dad says, and I flick my gaze back to his. “Until then you will get to know each other. Dmitri will alternate the night watch with Sacha and join him on the alternate days. That is all I have to say now. Any questions?”
I have a million, none of which I can ask.
Fear makes me keep my gaze trained on him, knowing I’ll be hurt if I insult him again.
“No sir,” Dmitri answers.
“Isabella, anything from you?”
I shake my head. “Nothing, sir.”
“Very well then. We’ll meet in a few weeks as per usual. Goodbye.” The screen cuts and the image of my father disappears along with it.
My hands are fisted at my sides and hate fills my heart. I look back to Dmitri, wishing more than ever I could escape.
I open my mouth to say something, but he pounces on me, hands at my throat once again. This time he squeezes so hard I think he might kill me. I can’t even scream out for help.
“Let’s get this straight you little bitch. I own you now,” he taunts. “You will be grateful I want you even after you whored yourself out to Eric. You’re lucky your father didn’t kill you, too, for losing your virginity to one of his guards.”
I’m losing air. The room is going dark and spots speckle my vision. His hands are too tight. The door opens and I’m thankful to see Sacha.