The Beast

Chapter 30

Chapter Thirty
Another Kidnapping

❀⊱┄┄┄┄┄┄⊰❀

HANNAH

   When consciousness fought its way forward, I groaned, not ready to start the day. Monday's were always a hard day to wake up for, especially when you're forced to engage with Lindy.

   Not that she was still my team leader. After completing Lev's massive penthouse, Marine had taken off my training wheels. I've taken two clients in the two weeks since I've been back to work—much to Lev's irritation. It's the end of April now, and while I did spend the first two weeks recovering, I knew I needed to get back to work. Otherwise, I wouldn't have work to get back to.

   As much as the thought was tempting sometimes, I knew I needed to work. Staying with Lev every second of the day didn't seem bearable when he continuously removed energy drinks from my presence.

   I hated him.

   Damn. No, that was a lie. I couldn't even lie to my subconscious anymore.

   Heck, the mere thought of him had me reaching to the other side of the bed, expecting him there. We'd fallen asleep in his apartment, after I introduced him to HGTV.

   The reminder made my lip twitch, just as my hand hit air.

   I stiffened before cracking my eyes open. What the...

   Holy mother of God, I was going to kill him.

   "Lev!" I shouted, scrambling into a sitting position as my eyes quickly ran over my surroundings. Then the windows.

   The windows which revealed a blue sky. And only a blue sky.

   With clenched fists, I stomped across the gaudy bedroom before pushing the door open. My narrowed eyes fell on large, intimidating figure sitting splayed out on the long black sectional.

   Across from him, Viktor sat, stiff as a board.

   He was the first to make eye contact with me, and I knew if he was capable of it, he would have flinched.

   "Did you know he was going to do this?" I demanded, crossing my arms stubbornly.

   Viktor didn't have reason to lie. He jerked his head in a short nod.

   Jaw on the floor, I turned back to Lev and glared harder. He was too busy giving his head guard a look that promised vengeance.

   "Do you have anything to say for yourself?"

   Finally, Lev's eyes moved to me. I hated how my body reacted from his attention, especially when I was mad at him. I mean, how could I not be? It was Monday. I had work.

   "Yes. Put on your seat belt. We should be there soon."

   I thought he'd focus on his phone again, but he never stopped watching me.

   "You... you can't do this!" I stomped my foot, and his mouth faintly rose. "If you keep kidnapping me when I come to see you, I won't come over anymore."

   His expression darkened as his lips pulled into a sinister smile. "Like that would stop me, kukolka." He nodded his head to the side. "Come."

   My body reacted before my brain did. By the time I took one step toward him, I abruptly pulled the brakes. "How did you even get me on here?"

   "You're a heavy sleeper, kukolka." His expression sobered. "Stop working. I'll take care of you."