Possess Me by Michelle Heard
Chapter 9
Alek
I was worried Prodi was going to starve us to death, but luckily they finally gave us something to eat.
It’s four pieces of dry bread and one chicken breast each. It’s a far cry from Mama’s food, but it will have to do.
I finish my food before Everleigh is done with her first slice of bread.
When she catches me eyeing her food, she tears the chicken breast into strips, takes one of the strips, and pushes the rest of her food closer to me. “You need it more than me.”
I hesitate for a moment, but knowing she’s right, I take two strips of chicken and a slice of bread and wolf it down.
“Finish the rest,” I say, not wanting her to starve.
We’ve been in this room for three days, and after the first day’s torture, we’ve only been allowed out of our prison to visit the restroom. It’s usually in the morning and late at night. It’s also the only time we get to drink water.
If they’re going to feed us every three days, we’re fucked.
Another thing that worries me is that I’m getting used to having Everleigh in my space. With our dire situation and or the forced proximity, I’m starting to feel things I wouldn’t feel under normal circumstances.
Whenever she checks my wounds to put on more antiseptic lotion, I feel grateful that she’s here.
Having Everleigh take care of me feels good.
And with every passing hour, I worry more and more about her.
It doesn’t help that she’s beautiful and scared out of her fucking mind. It makes me feel more protective of her.
And she’s kind. Not once has she blamed me for the hell I got her into.
She splits the last slice of bread and leftover chicken and hands half to me.
Like I said, she’s kind.
I take the food, and this time, savor the taste of every bite.
“I miss my mother’s food,” I admit.
Everleigh is staring at her hands. “Me too.” She ducks her head lower. “She made the best pot roast.”
“Can you cook?” I ask.
“A little.” She lifts her head and meets my eyes. “And you?”
With a chuckle, I shake my head. “Were you close with your parents?”
She nods, and sorrow creeps into her amber eyes. “We were very close. I miss them every day.”
“How did they die?” I’m not asking because I have a morbid curiosity. I just want to talk to her, and the question came to mind.
“In a head-on collision with a truck that broke down. It was trying to make a U-turn when the engine stalled. There were no lights.”
Christ. It must’ve been a closed-casket funeral. I’ve seen an accident like that, and the driver was decapitated.
“I’m sorry,” I murmur. Changing the subject, I ask, “What made you pick Russia as a travel destination?”
“It was my mom’s choice.” Everleigh gives me a sad smile, and it makes me want to hold her. “My dad chose Scotland, and I picked Hawaii. I would’ve gone to Scotland next.”
A sheepish grin forms around my lips. “Did you at least enjoy Russia before I kidnapped you?”
Her smile widens. “I did.”
Our eyes lock, and the air grows serious. “I’m sorry I grabbed you off the street. I thought you were Svetlana.”
“I know.” She lowers her head again. “I’m in this position because I swapped clothes with a girl I knew nothing about. It’s my own fault.”
“None of this is your fault.”
Again, she meets my eyes. “I know it’s going to sound weird and selfish, but I’m glad you’re here with me.”
Trying to make light of the situation, I let out a chuckle. “Hey, it’s not every day I get locked up with a beautiful girl.”
Her smile widens again, and her cheeks flush pink.
Before I can stop the question, I ask, “Do you have a boyfriend back home?”
“No.” Everleigh scrunches her nose. “I haven’t dated since my parents passed away.” A shy expression crosses her features. “And you? Do you have a girlfriend?”
The corner of my mouth lifts. “Besides you?”
This time a burst of laughter escapes her. “Yeah, besides me.”
I shake my head. “I’ve been too focused on work to have a relationship.”
Her eyebrows draw together. “Do you really think your father is looking for you?”
“He won’t rest until he finds Vincent and me.”
“Are you close with your father?” she asks.
I shake my head. “No, but his pride won’t allow him to give up.” I give her a reassuring look, and with dead certainty, I say, “He’ll find us.”
And then he’ll beat the shit out of Vincent and me for allowing Prodi to kidnap us. Fun.
“And your mother?”
The corner of my mouth lifts again. “I’m her favorite.”
“Oh, good. I was starting to get worried,” Everleigh admits.
I raise an eyebrow at her. “About me?”
“Yeah. I was starting to think all you’ve ever known is violence.”
“I have people who love me.” I glance at the door feeling like shit because Everleigh has no one.
Silence falls between us, and my thoughts turn to Vincent. I haven’t seen my brother since the first day when they made him torture Everleigh.
I have no idea whether he’s dead or alive.
When I hear footsteps, I gather the two paper plates and climb to my feet.
Dario opens the door, his gun in his right hand. Instead of taking the plates, he orders, “Come.”
Christ. Here we go again.
I’m still in a world of pain from the beating and knife wound to my hand, but not wanting to give them any satisfaction, I set the paper plates down, and schooling my face into a neutral expression, I walk into the hallway.
Just like before, Everleigh is right behind me.
When we enter the room where Prodi is waiting, sitting on the wooden chair like a fucking king, I steel myself for any kind of torture they’re going to throw my way.
There’s no sign of Vincent which fills me with disappointment. I was hoping to at least see my brother. I don’t dare ask about Vincent. It will just make things worse.
We’re joined by three of Prodi’s soldiers, which probably means they’re going to beat the shit out of me again.
It’s better than losing any of my body parts.
Prodi glances between Everleigh and me, then says, “I think you’re lying to me.” He waves a hand at us. “I don’t think you’re dating.”
“I don’t give a shit what you think,” I mutter.
The man is way too focused on something as trivial as my relationship status. What’s he playing at?
From the one euro ransom he demanded from my father, I get the feeling Prodi is all about mind games. He knows we can handle physical torture, so maybe he’s trying to break us mentally.
“Prove to me you’re in a relationship with the girl,” he demands.
Fuck.
When I don’t move a muscle and keep quiet, Prodi lights a cigarette and says, “Or my men will take turns fucking the girl before I put a bullet between her eyes.”
“Alek,” Everleigh whimpers. She presses into my side, and I feel her body trembling like a leaf caught in a shit storm.
Stay calm.
“How do you expect me to prove a relationship to you?”
A smirk forms on the bastard’s face. “Fuck her.”
Prodi lifts his chin at Dario, who trains the barrel of his gun on Everleigh.
There’s not a doubt in my mind they’ll kill her if I refuse.
Anger ignites in my veins, and knowing there’s no way out of this, I glance down at Everleigh. She meets my eyes with a horrified look.
A blast echoes through the room, and the bullet misses Everleigh’s head by an inch. Shock registers on her face, then she shrieks and presses her face into my bicep. “Alek!”
My anger turns to rage, and I lock eyes with Prodi. “I wasn’t aware you got off on watching other people fuck.”
He shrugs as he blows out a puff of smoke, then he dares me, “I don’t think you’ll go through with it.” He pulls his gun out from behind his back and rests the weapon on his thigh. “As an incentive, if you don’t fuck her, I’ll kill both of you. Less mouths to feed, and I get to send your body parts to your father.”
Prodi has no idea what I will and won’t do.
Taking hold of Everleigh’s arm, I walk closer to the wall and press her back against it. I lean down until my mouth brushes against her ear, then whisper, “This is the only way to keep us alive.”
She nods quickly, her breaths exploding against the side of my neck. Tears spiral down her cheeks, and lifting a hand, she grips my side. “I know. Just do it. I don’t want them raping me before they kill me.”
Christ, I’m going to fuck Everleigh in front of five men.
My heartbeat speeds up, and when I lock eyes with her, I say, “Just focus on me.”
