Page 84 of Venomous Desires

It all happened in just a second. A scream echoed in the basement—mine. A hand wrapped around my ankle, and I was dragged out of my hiding spot, my hand desperately and instinctively moved to grab something and nails scratched against the cemented floor, one breaking in the process, but that didn’t matter, the pain couldn’t suppress the terror.

He manhandled me, twisting my ankle with brutal force that sent a jolt of pain shooting up my leg. His grip was ironclad andmerciless. As he dragged me out from under the truck, my skin scraped against the rough concrete, adding to the agony.

My whole body froze when he pressed the cold, sharp blade against my throat, the metal biting into my skin just enough to draw a thin line of blood. His face was mere inches from mine, and he grinned. His dimples, which might have seemed charming to anyone else, made him appear even more psychotic. Eyes glinted with twisted pleasure, and his grin sinisterly widened.

Hot breath fanned my face, faintly of cigarettes and something raw. The dimples deepened, and his eyes, once pretending to be unfocused, were now sharp and piercing, locking onto mine with a predatory gleam.

“Found you, Ptichka,” he whispered. “Now it’s time to play.”

His eyes, for the first time, focused and did not waver.

He was not blind.

Chapter 29

The Prey

The realization hit me like a punch to the gut, making the fear pound even harder in my chest.

My lips parted as I looked at him in utter disbelief and startling shock.

“This—”

His blade pressed against my neck harder, and I winced.

His eyes whirled in darkness, like a storm ready to strike me.

“You make any sound,” he warned in a low, menacing growl, “I have plenty of ways to shut you up.”

I swallowed as he pressed the blade deeper, and I winced at the sting. He was towering over me, his body looming like a dark, menacing shadow. His knees were pinning my legs down, and his free hand gripped my wrist, holding it painfully against the floor.

I looked around, hoping someone would walk in on us, praying for any sign of help. But the lot was silent and empty, the only sound the ragged breaths escaping my lips. The fact that he could see... for hell’s sake. He could see. I recalled all the times Ihad embarrassed myself in front of him, how I pitied him for his supposed blindness.

Well, screw him.

Anger bubbled up inside me, mingling with the fear. I clenched my jaw, glaring at him through the tears that spilt down my cheeks.

Do not cry, Sera, I told myself fiercely. This bastard doesn’t deserve your tears or any of your emotions.

His grin widened as he saw the defiance in my eyes, and he leaned in closer, his lips brushing against my ear. “There it is,” he murmured. “That fire. I like it. Let’s see how long it lasts.”

I thrashed against him, my body twisting and turning in a desperate attempt to free myself. “Let go of me, you bastard!” I screamed, my voice raw with fury and fear. But he only laughed, a dark, mocking sound that sent chills down my spine.

He was so much bigger, so much stronger. It was laughable, the difference between us. His muscles bulged under his shirt as he effortlessly flipped me onto my stomach, pinning me down with his weight. My hands and knees scraped against the cement floor, the rough surface tearing at my skin. I cried harder, the pain mixing with my helpless rage.

“Keep fighting,” he taunted, his voice a sinister whisper in my ear. “It’s more fun that way.”

I screamed and swore. But he didn’t care.

He was a predator, and I was his prey.

His grip tightened, and he pressed the blade harder against my throat, drawing more blood.

A dark chuckle rumbled from him, vibrating through me as he leaned in closer, the rough fabric of his balaclava brushing against my cheek. “You can keep struggling,Ptichka,” he murmured. “But we both know how this ends.”

I whimpered, a sound I hated myself for making, but it only seemed to excite him. His fingers tangled in my hair, yanking myhead back until my neck was exposed to him entirely. The sting shot down my spine, heat pooling low in my stomach despite the fear clawing at my throat.

“Look at you,” he purred, dragging the blade just enough to let a tiny bead of blood trickle down my skin. “So fucking pretty when you’re scared.”