The Monster Between My Legs…

Vanya.

My body hurt all over, and my head ached from crying all night.

I had no idea how much time had passed since I was dragged into this cold cell.

There was no window or any reliable source of light.

I collapsed on the floor as emotions rushed through me. Now that I was alone, I felt every wall holding me in place crumble to nothing.

I held on to the rag that had been given to me as a dress, and rocked hard with tears and tremors.

I wouldn't be in this position if Father had just listened to me. I wouldn't be here if Mother was still alive and everything was fine.

I never wanted marriage like Father did.

Did he know what hell I was going through at the moment? I was cold, and now, I’d die without him ever finding out.

~ ~

I jerked as water drenched my face, beating sleep out of me and making me gasp for air.

One minute, I’d fallen asleep on the floor crying, and the next, I woke up to find myself standing with my feet and legs tied to a rod in a dimly lit room.

The icy water dripped from my face down my body, and by the time I could see clearly, I felt my soul leave my body at the sight in front of me.

Not far from where I stood, Ivan Petrov sat on a leather couch. His dark eyes were fixed on me.

What the hell is this?

I wished I could scream the question out as I took in the rest of my surroundings.

It was just him and another man—the man he’d called Marco, the same man who had dragged me into the cell the very first day.

Ivan’s deep voice drifted across the room. “You are finally awake.”

He stood up, his gaze still pinned on me as he took long strides across the room toward me until he stood right in front of me.

I glared at him, unable to stop the curses that formed so fast I wished I had the voice to haul them at him.

How dare he treat me this way? What in God’s name have I done to deserve any of it?! If he didn't want me, all he had to do was send me back home instead of subjecting me to such inhuman treatment…

“Look around you, Vanya.” Ivan drawled, shrugging out of his suit and tossing it to Marco as he folded the sleeves of his white long-sleeved shirt until the fabric hugged his toned arms.

“Do you know where this is?” he asked.

I frowned. I looked around but had no fucking idea where he had brought me to.

“Right. I forgot you are supposed to be mute.” He let out a dark laugh.

“The thing is… I don't quite believe that, and we just have to make sure you are not lying to me, don't we, mmh?”

Panic crept down my spine at the sinister tone in his voice and just as I wondered what he meant by those words, Marco brought a box over from a table by the corner, where many tools had been spread carefully on the table.

My eyes widened when he set the box carefully beside Ivan, then turned to leave

The door shut heavily behind him, leaving me and Ivan all alone in the room.

I felt a shakiness in my limbs as Ivan’s tall figure towered in front of me.

The playful mischief in his dark eyes was gone and in its place was pure malice.

“So let's try this one more time, Mute. Who are you keeping your voice for? For Anastasia or your father? Who will you sell my secret to?”

Absolutely no one. I shook my head, wishing the words would come out so I could convince him.

His legs, lame or not, his secret was none of my business. Was that what all this was about? I had no reason to tell anyone anything!

“Use your voice!” he yelled, and I felt a shiver rush through me. “I know you can fucking speak, pretender!!”

I can't. I’m working for no one!

“Fine,” he said coldly, and with one last glance at me, he walked toward the table and returned with a knife.

My eyes almost popped out of their sockets at the sight of it. What did he plan to do with it?!

His response to my silent question was a rip. And before I knew it, the rag I wore as a gown was reduced to shreds at my feet.

Cold air bit into my skin, and shame and awareness filled me at the thought of my body so bare before him. Clad in nothing but my underwear.

I tried to force my hands together but the ropes were harsh and I could only get so far. I had no idea how I’d mustered up the courage to do so the first time in his room.

Ivan’s eyes darkened even further. The corner of his lips twitched. He rounded me, stopping behind me and leaning close until I felt the hotness of his breath fanning down my neck.

“I heard you are a virgin. Your father mentioned it so proudly to Anastasia.”

I held my breath. My heart pounded uncontrollably in my chest as my fear increased a hundredfold.

He cannot be thinking of… Oh God.

Ivan dropped on one knee and I gasped when the ropes holding my legs sprang free, leaving only the one on my hands.

He patted my legs, instructing me to spread them apart, but I clenched my teeth stubbornly and refused to budge, only to regret it the next moment when Ivan kicked me forcefully from behind and forced them apart himself.

“Your virginity is definitely the only reason he has the guts to think you could ever be a fit for me. You wanted to be in my bed so badly you stripped and waited for me.”

“Let me see how much of a virgin you are. Let me know how quiet you can be when I tear your cunt apart.”

At the last word I kicked hard, aiming for him only to strike nothing but air, failing miserably.

Ivan laughed, and a tear slipped down my cheek as he grabbed my hair and pulled hard, forcing my ear to his lips as he whispered hoarsely.

“I’ll fuck you until those broken little cries rip free from your throat. You will scream… and it will be my name tearing out of you.”

Rage exploded through me.

The moment his grip loosened, I wrenched away from him. My free hand shook violently as I raised it between us and signed the word into the air with sharp, furious strokes.

“Bastard.!”

His smile vanished immediately.