Chapter 5: Bound To The Devil

‎Mikhail’s POV

‎The SUV hummed through the city streets, the engine’s low growl the only sound breaking the suffocating silence. Nora sat plastered against the far door, her body rigid, as if touching the leather seat next to me would poison her. Her bag clutched in her lap like a shield, her eyes fixed on the blurring skyline outside. It irritated me—more than it should. I wasn’t used to being treated like a leper, especially not by a woman I’d just pulled into my world. Her defiance from the apartment still lingered, a spark that both annoyed and intrigued me. But this? This childish avoidance grated on my nerves.

‎“I don’t bite, you know,” I said, my voice casual, laced with that cocky edge I knew would rile her. “You can sit comfortably.”

‎She whipped her head around, those dark eyes flashing like daggers. “Sit comfortably with you? A cold-hearted killer? You literally kidnapped me!”

‎I chuckled, leaning back, arms spread across the seat. “No, I didn’t. You’re simply paying the price for your brother’s foolishness. Which, need I remind you, you agreed to.”

‎Aleksei caught my eye in the rearview mirror from the passenger seat, his expression a mix of amusement and warning. He’d been quiet since we left her rundown apartment, but I could see him watching the exchange, probably thinking I was playing with fire. Nora didn’t disappoint—she fired back, venom dripping from every word. “An agreement I had no choice in! You were about to kill my brother, you bastard!”

‎I felt my jaw tick, but I kept the smirk in place. “I’d watch that snarky attitude if I were you.”

‎She opened her mouth, no doubt ready with another barb, but then clamped it shut, turning back to the window. The tension thickened, her silence louder than any shout. Aleksei glanced at me again through the mirror, shaking his head subtly. I ignored him. The city lights streaked by, the drive stretching into an eternity of unspoken fury. Her presence filled the car—her scent, faint and clean, cutting through my cologne; her rigid posture a constant reminder of the fight she was waging. It stirred something in me, a dark thrill. She hated me, and I found myself wanting to push her more, to see how far that fire could burn.

‎Finally, we pulled into the underground garage of my penthouse, the doors sealing us in with a hydraulic hiss. Aleksei got out first, opening her door with a neutral nod. She hesitated, then stepped out, clutching her bag like it was her last tether to freedom. I followed, my coat swirling as I led the way to the private elevator. The ride up was another layer of silence, her standing as far from me as the confined space allowed. When the doors opened to the sprawling living room—marble floors, panoramic views of the waking city—she froze, her eyes widening at the opulence. It was a far cry from her cramped apartment, and I savored the flicker of awe she tried to hide.

‎“Aleksei,” I said, shrugging off my coat and tossing it over a chair. “Take her to the guest room. The one down the hall.”

‎He nodded, gesturing for her to follow. She shot me a glare, pure hatred burning in those eyes, but she kept her mouth shut—surprising, given her earlier fire. As they walked away, I called after her, “Get some rest, Фурия. We have business to attend to later.”

‎She didn’t respond, but her stiff shoulders and the way she avoided looking back said enough. Aleksei led her off, and I poured myself a scotch, the amber liquid swirling in the glass. Business. That’s what this was—repayment, control. But her presence already felt like more, a complication I hadn’t anticipated. Her tears back at the apartment, her pleas... they’d cracked something in me, just a hairline fracture. I downed the drink, shoving the thought aside. She was a challenge, nothing more.

‎A few hours later, Aleksei and I were deep in discussion in the living room, glasses of scotch in hand. The theft at the warehouse was just the tip—rival crews were sniffing around, testing boundaries. “We need to tighten security,” Aleksei said, his voice low. “Elias and his idiots found a weak spot. Others will too.”

‎I nodded, swirling my glass. “Double the guards. And find out who those gang members were that pressured him. I want them—”

‎A throat cleared behind us. I turned, and there she was. Nora stood at the edge of the room, fresh from a shower, dressed in a baggy pajama top and shorts that rode high on her smooth, toned legs. Her hair was tied in a messy ponytail, strands framing her delicate face, giving her an effortless allure that hit me like a gut punch. My eyes traced her legs involuntarily, the curve of her thighs, the way the fabric clung just enough. Then up to her face—those full lips, the fire still simmering in her eyes. She looked vulnerable, yet unbreakable. I was entranced, my thoughts scattering, the scotch forgotten in my hand.

‎She snapped her fingers. “Eyes up here, asshole.”

‎I blinked, pulling my gaze to hers, irritation flaring at being caught. Aleksei smirked into his glass, but I ignored him. “What do you want?” I asked, voice rougher than intended.

‎“I need to talk to my brother,” she said, arms crossed, pushing her chest up slightly—damn her. “I left my phone at home in the rush. Because of you.”

‎I set my glass down, standing slowly. “You’ll contact him later. During the day.”

‎“No,” she insisted, stepping forward, her bare feet silent on the marble. “Now. I’m worried about him. He may have made dumb decisions, but he’s still my brother. He’s all I’ve got. Please, let me know he’s safe.”

‎Aleksei glanced at me, his expression shifting. “Let her talk to him, Mikhail. She’s here to work for you, not as a hostage.”

‎“Well, there’s no plain difference considering the circumstances,” she sassed, her eyes locked on mine.

‎Aleksei’s patience snapped. “Will you be quiet for once, huh?!”

‎The tension spiked, the room electric. I rose, closing the distance between us in a few strides. She backed up instinctively, her breath hitching as her back hit the wall. I towered over her, her scent—fresh soap and something uniquely her—filling my senses. She stared up at me, holding her breath, her eyes wide but defiant. The air crackled, my pulse quickening at the proximity. I could feel the heat from her body, see the pulse fluttering in her neck. “I don’t appreciate you commanding me,” I said, voice low, dangerous. “You have no idea what I’m truly capable of. Be grateful I let your brother live. Grateful I gave you an option at all.”

‎She snarled, unflinching despite the fear I saw flicker. “I’d rather eat shit than bend to your demands.”

‎I smirked, leaning in closer, my lips brushing her ear. Her shiver ran through her, a tremor that sent a jolt straight through me. “We’ll see about that, kotenok,” I whispered, my breath hot against her skin.

‎She held her breath, her body tensing, but I backed away, the moment hanging heavy. Aleksei watched, his cold expression unchanging. I straightened my shirt, masking the rush. “Aleksei, give her a burner phone. One day only. For her brother. If I find out you called anyone else,” I said, eyes locking on hers, “you’ll be sorry.”

‎She nodded, hatred burning in her gaze, but she didn’t argue. I turned, slinging my coat over my shoulder, and headed up the stairs to my bedroom. Her glare bored into my back, a tangible heat. I loved it—the fight, the tension. She was a wildfire, and I was drawn to the flames, even if they burned.

‎In my room, I stripped off my shirt, the cool air hitting my skin. The encounter replayed—her legs, her defiance, that shiver. Six months. Plenty of time to break her... or let her break me.

‎

‎Nora’s POV.

‎The burner phone felt heavy in my hand, a cheap flip model Aleksei had tossed me with a grunt. Mikhail had vanished upstairs, his presence still lingering like a shadow. I retreated to the guest room, the door clicking shut behind me. The space was luxurious—king bed, silk sheets, a view that mocked my old life—but it felt like a prison. I dialed Elias’s number with trembling fingers, the line ringing endlessly before he picked up.

‎“Nora?” His voice cracked, raw with guilt and fear.

‎Tears pricked my eyes. “Elias. Are you okay?”

‎“I’m... I’m fine. They left after you did. Nora, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean—”

‎“Save it,” I snapped, but my voice softened. “Just... stay safe. Stay clean. I’ll handle this.”

‎“How? With him? Nora, he’s dangerous.”

‎“I know,” I whispered, glancing at the door. “But you’re all I’ve got. I love you, idiot.”

‎“I love you too. Be careful.”

‎The call ended, the silence deafening. I clutched the phone, hatred for Mikhail boiling anew. He’d pay. Somehow.

‎