CHAPTER 7

ALINA

Robert’s grip tightened on my waist as he pulled me closer, his fingers digging into my skin.

“You think I’m interested in a partnership with your father? I don’t need his money. But you, Alina…” His voice dropped lower, his breath hot against my ear.

"You’re quite the prize, aren’t you?" he murmured, his voice oozing with sleaze as his eyes raked over me.

"I can see why your father offered you up. A deal like this... well, it’s shaping up to be more rewarding than I could’ve imagined...You’ll make a fine addition to my collection," he drawled, his gaze lingering far too long.

Collection?

"I always did like my toys a little fiery... makes breaking them all the more satisfying."

I stiffened, pushing against his chest, but he just tightened his hold, leading me in a slow, controlled circle.

“Let me go,” I demanded, my voice tight with barely contained fury.

"I’m not your plaything, and I’m sure as hell not some trophy for you to claim."

Robert chuckled lowly, his eyes glinting with something darker, more predatory.

“Oh, Alina,” he murmured, leaning in closer, the smoothness of his voice sending an unsettling chill down my spine.

"I can have any woman in this room, but there's something about you that's got me hooked. You're a sparkplug, a firecracker, and that attitude of yours is making me harder by the second. I want to hear you beg for more, to feel your legs wrap around me as I take you deeper and deeper..."

"You sick bastard.." I hiss"

"Ah, that tongue of yours...And I have to admit, I'm intrigued by the possibilities... what other talents that mouth of yours might possess. I Can picture those lips, so plump and inviting, wrapped around my cock like a warm, wet glove. The thought sends a jolt of electricity through my body as I imagine the things you could do with that tongue... licking, sucking, teasing me to the edge of madness.

I took a step closer, my voice dripping with venom as I shot him a cold, defiant stare.

“You want to know what else my tongue can do? It can bite so hard it’ll leave a mark you’ll never forget.”

Robert’s laugh was low, almost amused, like he found my threat more entertaining than anything else.

“Feisty,” he purred, clearly entertained.

He leaned back, his eyes flickering over me like I was some kind of challenge he couldn't wait to conquer. "You keep that bite, sweetheart, it just makes this... dance more fun."

Robert's grin spread wider, a sickening glint in his eyes as he took another step closer, his fingers grazing the side of my arm.

"You know, your father... he promised you to me, Alina. You’re his precious little bargaining chip. A part of the deal, a prize to be claimed."

I froze, a chill running through my veins as he continued, his voice dripping with cold satisfaction.

"I’m just checking out the merchandise, sweetheart. Seeing if you’re worth the trouble. After all, you’ll be my wife soon enough. It’s a business transaction, but a man can’t invest without a little inspection first, can he?"

His words hit me like a slap, my stomach twisting with a mix of disgust and fury. My chest tightened as my nails dug into my palms, desperate to keep my composure.

"You think I’m some... thing to be passed around?" I hissed, my voice low but sharp as a blade.

"I don’t care what my father promised you. I’m not yours. I will never be yours."

I yanked my arm back, glaring at him with every ounce of defiance I could muster, even though my heart pounded violently in my chest. But he didn’t flinch. Instead, he smirked, like he enjoyed watching me unravel.

Robert chuckled, unaffected by my resistance.

“You’re exactly what your father wants you to be. A commodity. And I’m just the one who’s going to take you off his hands. He’s lucky to have someone like me interested.”

He stepped closer, his breath warm against my ear. "But don't worry, darling. You’ll grow to love it. I’ll make sure of that."

Robert leaned closer, his voice dripping with twisted assurance. “But don’t worry, darling. You’ll grow to love it. I’ll make sure of that.”

The words slithered over my skin like poison. My stomach churned violently, and before I could think, I stepped back abruptly, yanking my arm from his grasp.

“Never,” I spat, my voice shaking but filled with venom.

“And let’s be honest, Robert, with the way you’re overcompensating, I’m guessing there’s not much to love in the first place.”

His smug expression faltered, the amusement in his eyes replaced by a flicker of cold anger. His jaw tightened as if he was struggling to hold back from retaliating in the middle of the dance floor.

I turned sharply, my gaze finding Arthur, who stood a few feet away, his glass frozen midair. His eyes darted between Robert and me, confusion etched on his face, but as he noticed Robert’s darkened expression, his confusion gave way to a frown that quickly turned into anger.

“Alina,” Arthur snapped, his voice low but brimming with warning, as if I had somehow embarrassed him in front of his guest.

I ignored him, stepping back further, my eyes blazing with defiance as I looked between the two men.

“If either of you think I’m just going to stand here and play along with this... this sick game, you’re both sorely mistaken.”

Robert’s lips curled into a dangerous smile, his rage barely contained, but Arthur’s glare bore into me, silent but no less threatening. For a fleeting moment, I wondered which of them I despised more.

I bolted up the grand staircase, my heels echoing like gunshots against the cold marble floors. My chest was tight, and every breath felt harder to take as I pushed through the growing lump in my throat. The laughter and music from the ballroom chased me, haunting me like a cruel reminder of everything I’d just endured.

Reaching my bedroom, I shoved the door open and slammed it shut behind me. My shaking hands fumbled with the lock until I heard the satisfying click. Finally, a barrier between me and the nightmare downstairs.

I pressed my back against the door, sliding down until I hit the floor. That’s when the tears came—hot, uncontrollable, spilling down my cheeks like a flood I couldn’t stop. My whole body trembled, and I wrapped my arms around my knees, trying to hold myself together, but I was unravelling with every shaky breath.

How did it come to this? My mind screamed as Robert’s disgusting words replayed over and over.

My eyes landed on the mirror across the room, and when I saw myself, I almost didn’t recognize the girl staring back.

Red, swollen eyes. Pale cheeks streaked with tears. A hollow, broken look that I’d never seen before.

“This isn’t me,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “I’m not this weak. I can’t be.”

But the truth crushed me under its weight. My father’s betrayal. Robert’s sickening claims. The fact that I was nothing more than a pawn in their twisted game.

I let my head fall back against the door and stared up at the ceiling, the tears still falling silently. How was I supposed to fight when the person I should’ve trusted most was the one selling me out?