Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 78511 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78511 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Instead of being disappointed in me, Misha helps me to my feet. He smiles at me with pride shining in his eyes. “You lasted longer than I thought you would. You did good, moy malen'kiy olen'.”
I look at the crate, and even though Misha is proud of me, I worry about the next time.
“Get back into the crate,” Misha orders.
“What? I just got out. No,” I argue.
“Without the panel. Just sit down in it.”
I let out a huff, not happy about this at all, but still, I crawl back inside. When Misha joins me, I’m squashed against the panel again.
“If I have to sit here, you have to answer more questions,” I say to distract myself.
“Okay.”
“When we first met, you said you grew up in an orphanage.”
“Yeah?”
“How did you end up in the bratva?”
“Alek’s parents took us in,” he answers. “Mr. Aslanhov is one of the bosses in the bratva.”
“Us?”
“My sister and I.”
I turn my head to look at him. “You have a sister?”
The corner of his mouth lifts, and his expression instantly softens. “Yes. Her name is Tiana.”
A smile curves my lips. “Where is she?”
“She’s at home.”
I nudge my shoulder against his. “Tell me about her.”
He lets out a chuckle. “She’s around the same age as you. Drives me insane.” He grins at me. “Like you do.” I laugh, then his expression grows serious. “Up until I met you, Tiana was all that mattered. I worked my ass off to ensure a happy future for her.”
“Until me?”
His eyes lock on mine. “Now I have two women who mean the world to me.”
I swoon a little and grin at him.
Changing the subject, Misha says, “Try to move.”
I shift but stuck between his body and the panel, I can’t move much.
“How’s your anxiety?”
“I don’t have any right now.”
Misha raises an eyebrow at me. “Yet you’re stuck, and your ass isn’t going anywhere until I move. How’s that different from when all four panels are up?”
“It’s dark then, and I’m surrounded by four walls.”
Misha shakes his head at me, his intense eyes boring into mine. “Aurora, listen to what you’re saying. First you started panicking because you couldn’t move. You still can’t move, yet you’re calm. I don’t think the problem is that you can’t move.”
I think for a moment, then say, “I have no idea what triggers it. I usually have an anxiety attack whenever I’m in a small space. Even elevators.”
He stares at me for a moment, then crawls out of the crate and stands up, leaving me alone in the crate.
Just as I begin to worry, he asks, “How’s your anxiety now?”
“Still fine.”
With his eyes locked on mine, he says, “I’m going to close the crate. Keep in mind I’m right on the other side of the panel. Okay?”
My stomach spins with nerves, and my tongue darts out to wet my lips.
Grow a spine and at least try.
“Okay.”
Misha lifts the panel, and right before he shuts me in, he says, “I’m right here.”
I’m engulfed in darkness, and I instantly move onto my knees, taking deep breaths.
“How are you holding up?” I hear him ask.
“At least there’s more space now that you’re out,” I try to joke as I start fidgeting.
You’re not locked in.
Misha will let you out if you ask.
Deep breaths.
“You’re doing good,” he praises me.
I hear him move, and the words burst from me, “Where are you?”
“Sitting flat on my ass, with my back against the panel.”
“Don’t leave me in here.”
His tone is gentle when he replies, “I won’t.”
As I try to glance around in the darkness, my heartbeat speeds up.
“Want to know what my first thoughts were when I saw you at the club?” Misha asks.
“Yes.” I swallow hard on the panic building in my chest.
“I thought, my God, I never believed angels walked among us. You’re so fucking beautiful, I couldn’t take my eyes off you.”
I let out an anxious chuckle.
His tone turns serious as he admits, “When I found out you were a D’Angelo, I was pissed off. Still, I couldn’t leave you in the hole.”
“I’m glad you didn’t.” I take deep breaths, trying to stay calm and focus on the conversations. “I didn’t know you were with the bratva. I was so disappointed when you didn’t come to the hospital.”
“I did visit you.”
My head snaps in his direction. “You did? When?”
“It was the middle of the night. While you were sleeping.” There’s a moment's silence, then he murmurs, “I had to see for myself that you were okay.”
“Thank you,” I whisper.
I hear Misha move, then the panel’s taken down. With a wide smile, he holds his hand out to me. I take hold of it and let him help me out.
When I’m standing in front of him, he says, “You did good today. I’m very proud of you, moy malen'kiy olen'.”
Glancing at the crate, I admit, “It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.”