Vow to Protect (Vow To Protect 1)

He tugs me tight into him, and I feel his erection against my lower back. “Don’t worry. I asked Olenka to help me get a few moments alone with you. She was eager to meet you and tells me the funniest stories.”

His mouth traces down my neck, and he gathers me tighter against him as my legs give out. “Oh, not so fast, baby. Did you give him what you wouldn’t give me? I bet he’s fucked you in every hole you have, and now, it doesn’t matter if you’re spoiled for your wedding night. I can take you right here, and no one can do a thing about it.”

My cheeks are wet, and a sob rips out of me. Finally, something. I try to shove his hands away, but he tightens his hold, easily lifting me off my feet. The cut of the gown makes it impossible to regain my footing.

He shoves me down onto the settee, front first, and holds my head into the velvet fabric so hard I can’t breathe. I flail out, scratching and kicking until he must let me go, and I suck in a gasp of air.

“Oh, don’t worry, I’m only getting started. I want to know what Adrian Doubek liked so much that he supposedly married you. Or is it a game he’s playing to hurt your father? Maybe he didn’t marry you, and he’s only keeping you as his hostage and forcing you to pretend.” He shoves my face down again. “Tell me he’s forcing you. Tell me you didn’t agree to marry him when you’re supposed to be my wife! Tell me, Valentina.”

I fight again, trying to draw in air. Way too many seconds later, he releases his hold on the back of my neck. My hair falls out of its restraints, tangling around my face as pieces stick to my wet cheeks. It’s all crystal clear, like my brain wants to latch on to the last few minutes of my life. I have no doubt he’s going to rape me, and then he’s going to kill me.

I wasn’t strong enough to protect Rose or myself when it really mattered. And now, I’m not strong enough yet again, despite Adrian’s careful handling of me. His restraint and his patience. I’m going to die in a fucking hotel bathroom because I can’t fight my abuser. Rose would be so disappointed in me right now.

And it’s like thinking about her conjured her. A soft hand lifts my chin gently, and I see her there, wearing the same too-small dress she wore that night we had fun and played pretend. “Don’t let him do this to you. You are so much stronger than this, love. Get up and fight.”

Tears pour down my face, and I want to tell her not to go. If she’ll just stay with me, we can go together, anywhere she wants. If she’ll just stay.

A loud rip pours reality down my spine along with a wash of cold air. He’s taking my clothes off.

No. I won’t let him do this to me again. Not without some kind of fight, and maybe, Adrian will get here before he can…

I try to hit him with my fists, but he’s got leverage and the point of a knife against the back of my neck. So I do the only other thing I can think of. I twist my legs with his and send him sprawling to the floor. It’s only seconds, but I fling myself over the edge of the settee toward the door. At the same time, the lock clicks, and someone rushes into me. I cling to them, not even paying attention to who it is.

But then I smell him, and I hear the sharp cadence of his voice, and I sag in relief. Of course, his arms go around me and lift me easily. “Angel. Speak to me. Are you all right?”

“Rose saved me. I’m fine. She saved me.”

He clutches me to his chest, and someone drapes a tuxedo jacket over the front of me. All of which was exposed thanks to Sal destroying my dress.

“Get that fucker. Don’t let him get away,” Adrian says from above me.

I let his words sink into me and comfort me. Even if it’s all an act, I don’t want to let him go. “Please, don’t leave me.”

His arms tighten around me. “No one is leaving you, Angel. I’m right here. We’re in the elevator going to the car now. Kai and the team are searching for Sal.”

“I mean, when you kill him, and we are done with our deal, please don’t leave me.” I try to open my eyes and look up at him to memorize his face and keep it forever. “When you’re done with me, I still want to stay.” It’s idiotic. What woman in their right mind would want a relationship like that? All give and no take.