FIRST BLOOD AND BRUISES
612 Words
Aria's defiance was going to get her killed.
"I need answers," she whispered to herself as she slipped out of the penthouse into the night. The evidence she had found burned in her mind. Viktor could not be trusted.
She didn't make it far.
A black van screeched to a stop beside her. Strong hands grabbed her before she could scream. They dragged her into a dark alley.
"Look what we have here," Marco Rossi said with a cruel smile. "Kane's new favorite toy wandering alone."
"Get your hands off me," Aria snapped, struggling against the men holding her.
Marco laughed and slapped her hard across the face. "I'm going to ruin you before Kane even gets the chance."
The pain exploded across her cheek. She tasted blood. Another slap followed. Then a punch to her stomach that made her double over.
"Please stop," she gasped.
"Stop?" Marco grabbed her hair and yanked her head back. "Your father was a traitor. Now you're going to pay for his mistakes."
He kicked her legs out from under her. She hit the ground hard. Boots connected with her ribs. Once. Twice. She curled into a ball, sobbing.
"You think Viktor will save you?" Marco pressed a knife to her throat. "Let's see how he likes his toy when we're done with her."
Aria screamed as rough hands tore at her clothes. The knife pressed deeper, drawing blood.
Then everything changed.
A terrifying roar echoed through the alley. Viktor appeared like a force of nature. His eyes glowed silver in the darkness. His face looked sharper. More dangerous.
"No one hurts what’s mine," he snarled.
He tore through Marco's men with brutal efficiency. Bones broke. Screams were cut short. Marco tried to fight but Viktor slammed him against the wall with unnatural strength.
When it was over, Viktor rushed to Aria's side. He gathered her gently in his arms.
"Aria, talk to me," he said, voice cracking with worry. "Stay with me, baby."
"It hurts so much," she sobbed against his chest. "I just wanted the truth."
"I know." He lifted her carefully. "I've got you now. Daddy's got you."
Back at the penthouse, Viktor carried her to the bathroom. He ran a warm bath and eased her into it, washing away the blood with careful hands.
"You're so strong," he murmured. "But you don't have to fight alone anymore."
Aria looked up at him through tears. "Why did you come for me?"
"Because you're mine." His fingers traced a bruise on her cheek. "Let me take the pain away."
He joined her in the tub, clothes and all. The moment turned desperate. He kissed her deeply as he entered her slowly.
"Daddy's got you," he whispered as he moved inside her. "Let me make it better."
Aria moaned, clinging to him. The pleasure cut through the pain. She rocked against him, needing more.
"Harder," she begged. "Please."
Viktor gave her what she asked for. Their bodies moved together in the water. He held her close as she came apart in his arms.
Afterward, he carried her to his bed and cleaned her wounds with gentle care. He held her against his chest, stroking her hair.
"Some truths will destroy you, princess," he whispered.
Aria looked up at him, her body still humming with pleasure and pain. "Who killed my parents, Viktor?"
His entire body tensed around her. His arms tightened.
"Aria," he warned, voice dark. "Don't dig deeper. You won't like what you find."
But the seed of doubt had already taken root.
And as the moon rose higher outside the windows, something dangerous stirred inside Viktor. Something that wanted to claim her completely.
- Writer
