Page 123 of The Forbidden Villain
I do as he says and wince at the pain shooting through my legs from being in the same position for such a long time. “Run,moy cvetochek. I’ll even give you a head start.” He cocks his head to the side while my brow furrows and fear stirs deep in my stomach because such generosity means nothing good. “If you reach the security guards before I catch you, you’ll have your freedom. I won’t ever come to you again.” Since I stay still, only my labored breathing fills the air as our gazes clash. The energy around us sizzles with tension and wickedness that sends shivers down my spine in waves, urging me to hide away in some corner from whatever he has planned for me.
I’ve seen firsthand what his cruelty is capable of. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to wipe away the images in my head, playing like a vivid horror movie.
Yet this is a different kind of anticipation and fear, as if participating in this game would change everything in ways that would ruin me.
Because then I’d have to face all my hidden demons that love his obsessive attention and want to discover what his darkness truly entails, and that’s a recipe for disaster.
I need healthy in my life, not fucked up.
“Lavender.” His harsh voice startles me as he opens the door wide and points toward the stairs. “Run.”
Monsters do not give you chances. They force you to play their games because they enjoy your soul slowly bleeding to death.
As your suffering is their only source of fuel.
Deciding to break my silence, I lick my chapped lips and push the question out through my dry throat since I refused to drink whatever Gavin brought me. “And if I fail?”
His eyes scan me from head to toe, the heat in them unsettling. “Then you’ll belong to me. Remember one thing, Lavender. It’s your last chance. If you fail…you’ll be mine forever. No one, including your family, will be able to take you away from me. All my previous crimes would seem like a warm-up.” So much heat laces his promise, and fisting my skirt, I move closer to the door as he steps back, and says, “Run,moy cvetochek. I’ll count to ten.” We stare at one another, and he mouths, “One.” With this, I rush outside, ignoring the pain shooting through my entire system. Taking two steps at a time, I get to the empty hallway, my bare feet slapping soundly against the perfectly polished marble as I race toward the exit.
An owl hoots in the distance when I push through the double doors and fly outside, ignoring the hot concrete bruising my skin.
A gasp slips past my lips at the sight of the enormous maze garden greeting me, spreading horizontally, lit by the moonlight shining brightly on the mesmerizing fauna, promising you hell on earth, for the creatures who live inside it are cursed and vicious, craving only one thing.
Your complete surrender.
Grabbing my skirt tighter, I speed up my pace and focus on one thing only.
To win this game, even if it seems impossible right now.
I have to believe in the impossible and use all my strength to find a way out.
Because a hunter chases me.
And he’ll stop at nothing to catch his prey.
This is my only chance because, despite everything, I believe he will keep his word to me.
My last chance at being normal and putting all my past behind. I might join the convent after this, though, since my taste in men is clearly shit, and I seem to be attracting the crazy.
I race through the garden with all my might, passing the magnificent flowers as thunder shakes the sky and rain starts to pour, darkening everything, while the lights make my eyes blur.
My dress and hair become instantly soaked, and my lungs burn for oxygen as I navigate through the confusing maze andcry out when I see Levi in the distance. I dart to the side, getting myself into another opening, and huff in frustration when I reach a dead end.
“Think, Lavender, think.”
I see a small alley leading somewhere and run quickly, sobbing with relief when I manage to get out of the maze and notice a light far away, which must be the security cubicle.
Despite my whole body throbbing in pain and my feet burning while every gasp of air becomes unbearable, I speed up, ready to reach the finish line and…
“No!” I scream when strong arms grab me from behind and lift me, my feet kicking the air as I thrash in his hold. “Let go of me!”
“No can do,moy cvetochek. I caught you, so you’re mine,” he whispers into my ear right before turning me around and throwing me over his shoulder. He marches back toward the mansion. “You put up a good fight. I’m really proud of you. You even managed to pass the maze. And it’s more confusing than the one at my childhood home.”
I hit his back with my fists, but freeze at these words, lifting myself from his shoulder a little, removing my wet hair from my face, and gasp. “It was you who found me?”
“You’re funny, Lavender. Nothing happens in your life without my knowledge and permission. I think we’ve established that. There was a reason Hardy watched you like a hawk.”
I bristle at this. “Permission? I don’t need your permission for anything, you obsessive psycho!” And I knew I was suspicious about Hardy for a reason. He doesn’t even look like a butler! Another traitor to avoid.
