KATYA

 

WHEN THE LOCK disengages and the door opens again, I expect to see the giant step into the room.  I'm surprised when Jackson comes in instead.

His steel-gray eyes watch me carefully as he casually strolls in and has a seat in a chair in the corner of the room.  His expression is guarded, and I can't get any hint of what he's feeling right now.  At least Pavel had a horrible poker face.  I always knew when he was angry or disappointed.  And by the look on his monstrous face, I could predict what kind of punishment I would receive.

With Jackson, he's a closed book.

"Wraith came in to speak to you," he says, and it's not a question.

So the giant's name is Wraith?  What kind of a name is that?  It must be some sort of nickname, but I decide not to dwell on it.  I have much bigger things on my plate right now.

"Yes, he did," I reply to Jackson.

He leans forward in the chair, resting his elbows on his knees and clasping his large hands together.  "So you understand how dire your situation is if you leave here?"

I nod in response.

"You're welcome to stay.  And then, once my cousin regains consciousness, we'll figure everything out."

That doesn't sit well with me at all.  I don't know anything about his cousin besides the fact that he clearly kidnaps women and locks them up in this room.  What if he is another Pavel — a devil in disguise?  His cousin might throw me out on my ass as soon as he recovers, and it will be like throwing me to the wolves.  Hell, he might even hand me over to the Bratva himself for the bounty money.

I need to think about my survival long term.  I want to eventually return to Russia and find my little sister and my mother, but it's too dangerous to go back home now.  I will have to set those goals for in the future when it's actually safe, because the Bratva would no doubt capture me the moment I stepped foot off the plane at this point.

I don't know much about the inner workings of the mafia, but I've seen up close and personal what they can do to people who cross them.  And right now…I'm one of those people.

So, for the moment, I need to focus on the present and my next move.  If I can seduce Jackson, he won't allow his cousin to force me to leave.  Jackson will protect me, and he'll want me to stay here with him.  And then I can decide my fate on my own terms and leave when I'm ready and not the other way around.

"I will stay here, but I don't want to be locked up anymore," I tell him.  If I'm stuck in this room, my plan on seducing him will never work.

"Fine," he agrees.

I watch him walk over to the keypad on the wall and input a code, disabling the locking mechanism.

Just like that?

I'm in disbelief.  I thought he would fight me on it, just like everything else.

"You can have free reign of the manor.  But I'll tell you now that there are cameras everywhere."  Then he adds, "Someone is always watching."

It's a threat and a warning all wrapped in one.  I can move freely around the place, but I'll be put in my place if I try to do anything…or try to escape.

Right now escaping is the last thing I want to do.  Here on this island is the safest place for me right now.  I'm not stupid.  I just need to wait until things die down with the Bratva.  Then, I can decide for myself my next best strategy.

Jackson stands up and takes a few steps towards the door; but for some reason, I don't want him to leave yet.

"Wait," I call out.

Jackson stops and turns to me.  "Yeah?" he prompts.

My eyes scan the room, trying to think of something to say.  And the only thing that comes to mind is…  "Thank you," I say softly.

"You're welcome," he replies with a short nod before leaving the room.

After the door closes, the room feels empty again.  His presence fills the room with some kind of warmth and security that I can't even describe.  I feel safe when he's around, but I know it's ridiculous.  Clearly, my mind is playing tricks on me again.

I need to push these absurd feelings aside and move forward with my plan.  I can pretend to love Jackson for a short while.  Hell, I've been pretending most of my life.  It comes very easily to me now.  I need to use him to get what I want and need, just like I've been used my entire life.

And this is all just temporary anyway.  I know deep down that, if I allow myself to get attached to anyone or anything, it will be a huge mistake and ultimately my downfall.

Eventually, I'll be walking away from all of this…including the people in this house.