Viktor; 28. Rosalie; 20 – Two years since capture.
Blyadʹ. I only have a week left.
Every fiber of my being is against letting Rosalie go, but I can’t go back on my word.
And it’s not like anything’s going to change. I had three years, and she’s fought me every step of the way.
She’ll never forgive me for the part I played in killing her family.
There were times I seemed to get through to her, but she’d shut down so fast, and it would become more difficult to bridge the gap between us.
I’m worried she’ll forget about me the moment she leaves.
I can’t blame her, though.
Letting out a sigh, I get up and leave my office. I walk to the side door, and leaning against the doorjamb, I cross my arms over my chest and watch Rosalie run the obstacle course she set up for Luna.
Jesus, I’m going to miss the dog as well.
Over the past three years, Rosalie has blossomed into a stunning woman. There’s no sign of the seventeen-year-old girl I kidnapped.
I wonder if she knows how much stronger she’s become. The girl would cower and flinch, whereas the woman doesn’t hesitate to tell me to go to hell and trash her room to make a point that she hates living here.
All of my friends married the women of their dreams, and I’m forced to say goodbye to mine.
There were so many things I wanted to share with her, but Rosalie never allowed me to cross the line. I couldn’t even take her to Luca and Mariya’s wedding.
She also doesn’t want me to share anything about my day or things happening in my life.
Rosalie has built an insurmountable wall between us.
Christ, she’s so much stronger than me.
“It’s rude to stare,” Rosalie mutters as she gathers Luna’s toys.
“I only have a week left to look at you. I’ll stare all I want.”
Her eyes dart to mine, and I see the conflict warring in them.
I know, without a doubt, Rosalie is attracted to me. I’ll even go as far as to say she’s in love with me. But as long as she’s unable to forgive me, none of that matters.
When she pushes past me, I grab hold of her arm to hold her back. Turning my head, I lock eyes with her. “Don’t hide in your room tonight. Watch a movie with me.”
There’s zero hesitation when she answers, “No.” Tugging her arm out of my grip, she walks into the house.
Not happy with her reply, I ask, “Why not?”
Rosalie places the toys in a basket, lets out a sigh, then looks at me. “Because you always give me orders, Viktor. You never ask.”
Frowning, I shake my head. “I ask.”
“No, you don’t. It’s always an instruction.”
I walk closer to her. “Will you watch a movie with me tonight?”
Rosalie lets out a dry chuckle. “Only you can make a question sound like a demand.”
I take hold of her hand and brush my thumb over her soft skin. “We only have a week left, Little Rose. Please, will you spend some time with me?”
Her eyebrows draw together, and I watch the conflicting emotions flash over her face.
When she starts to pull her hand from mine, I tighten my grip. Stepping close to her, our bodies touch. I cup her cheek with my other hand, giving her a pleading look. “In seven days, I have to let you go. Just give me a week where you don’t hate me.”
Sadness creeps into her eyes, making the golden flecks in her brown irises more prominent. “I can’t, Viktor.”
When she tries to step back to put some space between us, I let go of her hand and wrap my fingers around the back of her neck. Holding her in place, my mouth crashes against hers in absolute desperation.
She tries to turn her head, whimpering, “Don’t.”
Our rushing breaths mingle. Every muscle in my body strains, begging me to forsake my humanity and take what I want.
“Please,” she begs with a trembling voice. “I won’t survive the guilt.”
The powerful emotions I feel for this woman force me to let go of her. It takes all my strength to walk away from her.
A crack starts to form right down the middle of my heart when I stalk out the front door.
“Stay here,” I order Joseph and my other men.
I climb into one of the SUVs, and starting the engine, I speed out of the property and away from the woman that’s crawled so deep beneath my skin, I’ll never be able to get her out.
Blindly, I drive to Luca and Mariya’s place, and when the elevator opens to their penthouse suite, I stalk inside.
Luca’s guards must’ve notified him that I’m here because my friend comes rushing down the stairs. “What’s wrong?”
“I need to crash here tonight. You can’t let me leave.”
Worry tightens his features as he comes to stand in front of me. “Why? Who do you want to kill?”
I shake my head. “I can’t be near Rosalie until I’ve calmed down.”
Understanding flashes over his face.
“What happened?” Mariya asks as she comes down the stairs.
Glancing between my little sister and best friend, I shake my head.
It feels like I’ve already lost Rosalie.
You never had her.
Frustrated, I shove a hand through my hair and walk to Luca’s alcohol cabinet. I grab a bottle of vodka, and not bothering with a glass, I pour the liquid down my throat.
Mariya comes to place a hand on my back, giving me a concerned look. “Hey, talk to me.”
I shake my head again and stalk to the stairs. “Carry on with your day. I’ll be in one of the guestrooms.”
I take the first room and shut the door behind me. Pouring more vodka down my throat, I’m desperate for the liquor to lessen the pain that’s tearing through my heart.
I thought I’d be able to make her fall for me.
I thought, with time, Rosalie could forgive me.
I was wrong.
Christ.
Every single memory of her is ingrained into my mind. Her rare smiles. Her even scarcer laughter.
How beautiful she looks in a dress.
The love shining from her whenever she looks at Luna.
The way her breathing speeds up when I touch her. At first, it was from fear, but over the passing months, it became desire.
I refuse to admit how I feel about Rosalie. I can’t think the words, never mind say them. If I do, I’ll go back on my word and keep her forever.
And I can’t do that to Rosalie.
I can’t be selfish with her.
Just like every other day during the past three years, I have to put Rosalie first. I have to do what’s best for her.
And I’m not it.
I’ll always be a reminder of what she lost – what the Priesthood took from her.
