“You can imagine how disastrous it would be if our truce fell apart. There is a lot of pressure from others higher up in our families to maintain this peace, so when something goes wrong, we have incentive to fix it.”
“I don’t care,” she bit out.
He shrugged. “We’ll see. Last month, a group of thugs stole a major shipment from your father. My people intercepted it before Varnakov found out Kasilli had a problem. Your father owes me a debt.”
She closed her eyes for a second. With a deep breath, she forced herself to meet his gaze. “My father owes you, so why am I here?”
“You’re the price he’s paid, my sweet.” He made no attempt to disguise the blaze of desire in his gaze. “And I’m going to get full value.”
Chapter Two
Mia’s blood went cold at his words and expression, but she refused to betray her fear. “You’re out of your mind. Whatever he owes you, take it up with him.”
Shane stood up suddenly, making her very aware of how much taller he was, and the way he loomed over her. “Let me clarify something for you, Mia. I went to a great deal of trouble to make sure your father owed me.”
Her eyes widened. “Why?”
“Because I want you, and I have since the first time I saw you at that restaurant. If it weren’t for your family connections, I would have just taken you.” He trailed the back of his fingers down her forearm.
Mia jerked away, glaring at him. “I want nothing to do with you.”
He acted like she hadn’t spoken. “With you being a daughter of one of my frenemies, I couldn’t just make you disappear. If it came back to me, there could be a resurgence of aggression. Instead, it had to be neat and tidy. I did your father a favor, and he was eager to settle it. No one wants to owe another something, especially in our line of work.”
“My father was insane for suggesting I would just settle his debt.” She crossed her arms. “Have one of your goons drive me home now.”
He shook his head. “You are going to be fun to tame, aren’t you?”
Mia’s stomach curled with dread, and something less tangible, when he grasped a strand of her hair to let it spill between his fingers. “You aren’t doing anything to me. I don’t care what crooked deal you have with my father.”
His eyes narrowed. “Make no mistake, Mia. I will go to war if I have to. I will destroy your family and burn down the city to have you.”
She shivered at the threat, but shrugged. “I don’t give a damn what you do to Vadim.”
“And your stepbrother?”
Mia couldn’t hide her distaste. “I’d love to watch you rip him apart.”
Shane blinked, clearly not expecting that. “I see. Let me try a different approach then.” With the suddenness of a striking snake, he jerked her against him. “You are mine. You won’t be leaving until I release you. I’m going to fuck you a thousand ways, starting tonight.”
She had been frozen with fear for a second, but the paralysis broke when he said fuck. Mia flinched and tried to struggle free of his grip. It tightened painfully on her arms, and she knew she would have a bruise. “Let go of me, you animal.”
“I can be.” He grasped the strands of hair that had fallen free to jerk her head backward. Shane licked her neck, ignoring her squawk of protest and attempts to wriggle free. “I can also be tender. You’ll get whichever side you nurture, baby.”
She cried out with shock when he savagely bit her at the bend of her neck. Liquid oozed from the spot, and her eyes widened at the sight of her blood on his lips when he lifted his head. At least he wiped it away instead of licking it off, she thought with a sharp edge of hysteria.
“Now, if you’ll be a good girl and go get ready, I’ll release you.” His nose wrinkled. “I’d much rather you smell sweet than of grease and sweat.”
Mia wanted to tell him to fuck off and admit she’d never capitulate, but she maintained silence. If she could get away from him, she had a better chance of escaping this house. He didn’t have to know yet that she had no plans to cooperate.
He smiled, looking satisfied as he let go of her. With a nonchalant motion, he took a tissue from the box on his desk and dabbed the bleeding spot on her neck. After tossing it in the trash without even looking at the can, he pressed a button on the panel at his desk. “Bruno, come escort Miss Kasilli to her room.” He let go of the button to examine her from head to toe. “You are a delicious little peach, Mia, and I’m looking forward to the first taste. I’ll join you in an hour or so.”
She didn’t speak, both because she had no idea what to say and because the nausea churning in her stomach made it impossible to converse. Anger was also rendering her speechless. How dare he think he could just take her, and she would fall in line with whatever he wanted? There was no way in hell she was going to cooperate with him.
When Bruno came a moment later, she walked behind him still without speaking. This time, Mia paid better attention to her surroundings, making an attempt to memorize all possible escape routes as she followed Bruno up the grand staircase to the third floor. They bypassed the second level, so she ignored it, knowing it wouldn’t offer any likely flight options if she couldn’t preview it.
He stopped before a pair of French doors painted a light yellow. “The boss will be up in a while, miss.”
She sneered. “I can hardly wait.”
He folded his bulk against the wall, making it clear he was standing guard.
Mia glared at him. “Do you have any idea what he has planned for me?” The blond giant didn’t reply. “You’re okay aiding him with rape?” His only response was the slight twitch of his body, but he didn’t look at her. She sighed. “Yeah, I figured you were. You’re just like the byki my father always has around.”
She entered the suite, finding it had a feminine air that suggested Shane didn’t sleep here as well. How nice of him, to allow her a private sleeping space where he could consign her out of his sight, except when he wanted to come visit her for a fuck.
Despite her aching feet, Mia methodically searched every inch of the suite, hoping for a weapon. The chairs were solidly built, and she didn’t think she could disassemble them without some kind of tool, which wasn’t available. Slamming them against the wall would bring Bruno, so that was out. Whoever had prepared “her” room must have been told to take anything that could be a weapon.
The only scissors she found were a pair meant for cuticles in the vanity table drawer. There was a letter opener on the desk, but she actually laughed out loud when she lifted the flimsy plastic stick. It would slip under a flap and rip through paper, but wouldn’t do anything to flesh.
There was a large window, and she seriously considered hurling herself through it until she discovered the wrought iron bars blocking the way. While ornate, they were still designed to keep her imprisoned. A similar set adorned the window in the bathroom.
She rummaged through the bathroom drawers, disgusted to find not even a razor. Unless he liked his women on the Sasquatch side, he was going to have to give her one eventually. Mia shuddered at the thought that he might plan to shave her himself. It was purely disgust that made her shiver, and not a hint of…anything else.
Yes, he was attractive. Okay, sinfully hot, and in other circumstances, she might have been flattered by his attention. His kidnapping had thwarted that, and she refused to be so shallow that she would let herself be distracted by his looks when contemplating his actions and what he still planned to do.
At first, she thought the bathroom was as weaponless as the rest of the suite. She sank onto the porcelain toilet in defeat, trying to brace herself for the possibility she was going to be taken tonight. Her gaze darted around the room before returning to the implement rack by the sink. A hairdryer and curling iron rested there. The hairdryer wouldn’t offer much help, but a hot metal rod had possibilities.
It was a weak weapon, but better than nothing. Mia got to her feet and took the rod from the shelf to switch it on. It was a brand
she recognized and remembered was fast-heating. It seemed to take forever for the indicator light to turn from red to green despite its speed claims.
Mia left it on even after it had gone green, not sure when he would come for her. She wanted the curling iron to be as hot as possible. She also wanted to be able to maneuver, so she dared slip from the bathroom long enough to kick off her shoes. Biting her lip, she cast a glance at the closed French doors before going to the nearest dresser. Myriad feminine clothes filled the drawers, but they were all impractical and lacey, frilly things. Apparently, he planned to keep her as his Victoria’s Secret dress-up doll.
She had no time to check the closet when she heard feet in the hallway. Mia ran back to the bathroom and scooped up the curling rod, wrapping the cord around the handle as she hurried back into the bedroom. She stood near the door as he slipped inside, shielding the curling iron with her body as she held it at an angle to avoid burning herself. Mia waited until he closed the door and started to turn before she moved toward him.
He faced her as she reached him, looking at her with a scowl. “You didn’t prepare yourself.”
Mia didn’t speak. As he reached for her, she thrust the curling iron upward, pressing the barrel against his neck as fully as possible.
His eyes widened, and he jerked. Shane’s hand was tight around her neck when he grabbed her, lifting her off her feet with a little shake. The curling iron fell to the floor, and she knew it had been a stupid weapon.
While trying to suck in air through her obstructed windpipe, she also admitted to herself she had known it wouldn’t be effective, but it made a statement. She wasn’t going to surrender easily, no matter what threats or persuasion he used.
“You little bitch.” He shook her again before lowering her so that her toes brushed the floor. His hand loosened a bit, allowing her oxygen, but he didn’t release her as he thrust her before him. Her toes skimmed the hardwood floor as he shoved her into the bathroom.
Mia tried to kick him when he lifted her into the shower stall, but missed. With another curse, he tossed her none too gently against the marble wall. She cried out with pain at the impact and didn’t have a chance to reorient herself before water rained down on her. She was vaguely aware of Shane pressing buttons on a panel just outside the shower before steam and jets of water obscured her vision.
She pushed wet strands of hair off her face and squinted to see her tormentor. Mia whimpered at the sight of him unbuttoning the purple silk shirt he’d worn. His pants joined the garment a moment later, and she turned her head, driven to search for a weapon and to avoid the sight of his body.
What she had glimpsed told her he was powerfully built, with thick arms, a narrow waist, and a flat stomach, including the requisite six-pack men like that always seemed to have. In an attempt to clear her vision, she shook her head and fumbled on the shelf behind her, wanting to laugh and cry simultaneously when her frantic searching yielded a bottle of conditioner and a bar of soap that smelled like oranges in the steam.
He moved with deliberate intent, and she could no longer avoid looking at him when he entered the shower. Unlike her, he was fully undressed, and she pressed her back to the wall as he neared. Tears welled in her eyes, and she let them fall, knowing the shower stream would hide them. Otherwise, she wouldn’t allow the weakness.
“Take off your dress.”
Mia shook her head, wrapping her arms around herself as though she could meld the material to her body by sheer force of will. “Stay away from me, you sick fuck.”
His stalking pace didn’t increase, but he made it clear he wouldn’t be deterred as he closed the distance between them. She flinched when he slapped his palms against the wall on either side of her head, but didn’t look away from his hot gaze. Letting every ounce of loathing and contempt she felt show in her eyes, Mia lifted her knee and viciously aimed for his testicles.
He actually laughed as he blocked the motion with one of his powerful thighs. “You’re like a wet kitten, baby. All claws and wet fur. You just need some petting.”
“Fuck you.” Mia pressed her hands against his chest as he swallowed the last of the space between them. Shock wanted to lead her thoughts to analyzing how she had ended up in this situation, but she forced away the impulse, knowing she had to focus.
“Certainly.” He brushed his lips against her cheek. “Do you want to take off the dress, or should I tear it off you?”
She refused to answer, but fought with all her strength when he grabbed her, holding her securely with one arm and his legs as he stripped the sodden garment from her body. Mia screamed her outrage when he ripped off her bra, the elastic digging into her skin.
“What a nice surprise. I thought you had little breasts, but these are more than a handful.” He grasped one and rubbed her nipple as he spoke.
Mia hated the way the pert bud beaded under his touch, but pushed aside the physical reaction to renew her attempts at escape when he tugged at her underwear. “No. Let go of me, you bastard.”
Hitting out blindly, the back of her hand connected with the sharp angle of his cheekbone, and they both grunted with pain. She hit him again in almost the same spot before he grasped her hair and pulled her head back. Mia shivered at the rage and lust in his expression right before he backhanded her. Stars exploded behind her eyes, and she slumped to the floor of the shower.
Shane was on her in seconds, pushing her onto all fours and pulling off her panties. His hands were rough in her hair when he yanked free the pins, spilling the dark mass around both of them. Mia tried to push it out of her way, but he had her pressed so tightly against the marble floor that she couldn’t move.
She still tried to squirm away when he caressed her hip. “Stop that.” Her voice was weaker than she’d hoped it to be, but it soared to sharp-edged hysteria when he inserted his hand between her thighs to shove them open. “No, no, no.”
“Yes, baby.” His fingers violated her tight flesh, spreading her without regard for her comfort or pleasure. “You need to learn who is in charge.”
Mia tried to crawl forward when he pressed his body close to hers, crying out with fear when the head of his erection poked her buttocks. “Stop this. You have no right.”
“I have every right.” The head slipped into her folds, and he held her still with increased pressure. “You are mine, and the sooner you accept that, the better this will be for you.”
Mia cried out when he penetrated her, ripping through her in a red rush of pain that made her gray out. When she became alert again, she was aware of him thrusting in and out of her, as though with the intent to hurt as much as possible. If that was his goal, the sadistic bastard was accomplishing it, and though she hated herself for it, she began sobbing.
She couldn’t move, so she focused on enduring. Mia pressed her palms into the tile beneath her, trying to ignore the pain he inflicted as he took her without any concerns but his own release. His animalistic grunting turned her stomach, and she dry-heaved as he came inside her with a release of warmth that seemed to mark her.
After he pulled out, Shane lifted her effortlessly to sit on the marble. Mia didn’t look at him, and she didn’t fight as he washed her hair and lathered her with the sweet-smelling bar of soap.
Finally, the water shut off, but she didn’t move. Mia heard him grunt with annoyance as he lifted her to her feet and carried her out of the shower. The bathmat was thick under her bare feet, and she concentrated on the sensation in an attempt to block out the way he was drying her body with a soft towel.
She shuddered when he rubbed the white towel between her legs, abrading the sore flesh, but still didn’t look at him. Mia couldn’t look at herself in the mirror either. She just wanted this to be over.
Shane made a strange sound and thrust the towel toward her face. “Were you a virgin?”
Mia stared at the splotch of blood on the towel and nodded dully. She hadn’t met anyone she wanted to share her body with, but she regretted that now. How she
wished she had screwed the first guy to show interest. Shuddering again, she decided not the first guy, because he was a disgusting piece of filth.
Much like the sadistic fuck kneeling on the tile in front of her. Rage exploded through her, and she hit him as hard as she could. Pain exploded through her hand, but she ignored that as he sprawled backward on his ass, looking surprised and perhaps pained from the fist. Mia made a run for the doorway, but barely got a couple of feet before he grabbed her ankle and jerked her into his arms. Her elbow hit the floor hard, and tears blurred her vision, but she blinked them away.
“Stop fighting.”
She glared at him. “Never.” That was a lesson she had never learned, and he wouldn’t be the one to teach it to her.
With a long sigh, Shane got to his feet before bending to lift her up. Once on her feet, he herded her toward the sink. Mia watched as he rummaged through the medicine cabinet for antibiotic cream and bandages. When he thrust the tube at her, she stared at it with confusion. “What—”
He pointed to the long burn on his neck. “See to it.”
She blinked. “Are you kidding me?” Mia flicked aside the antibiotic cream, and it landed in the sink.
Shane grasped the back of her head, his fingers squeezing her neck as he shoved her face toward the drain. “You did it, so you fix it.”
Clamping her mouth shut to bite back the question of how he planned to fix stealing her virginity so painfully, she picked up the tube. When he released her, she whirled to face him, trying to ignore the fact they were both naked. She squeezed a gob on her hand and pressed it into the cut, giving him a cold smile when he hissed.
Her fingers shook a bit as she unwrapped the bandages, requiring two to cover the spot. After smoothing on the second one, she dropped her hands and pressed back against the vanity in an attempt to put some space between them. “There.”
“Kiss it.”
Surviving Shane: Volume One Page 2