Kidnapped to love

chapter 41

Dimitri had just walked into the house when he spotted Crystal by his mother’s phone, glancing around nervously as if ensuring no one was watching her. She reached for the phone, hesitation flashing in her eyes.

“Should I call Elijah…” she murmured under her breath.

After a moment, she picked up the phone, relieved to find there was no lock. Her fingers fumbled slightly as she typed in her brother’s number, and just as she pressed “dial,” she heard the faint sound of Elijah answering on the other end. But before she could speak, Drimti crossed the room in large strides, snatching the phone from her grasp.

She gasped, her heart racing.

“Hello? Who’s there?” Elijah’s voice came through the receiver, oblivious to the scene unfolding on the other side.

Crystal opened her mouth to say something, but Drimti silenced her by pressing a finger to her lips, his gaze dark and unyielding. Without a word, he ended the call, placing the phone back on the table slowly, all the while fixing her with an intense stare that made her blood run cold.

Her face went pale. She knew she’d made a huge mistake.

He raised his hand, and she flinched, covering her face with her arms, bracing herself for a slap. But instead, he reached forward and patted her head, his fingers running lightly over her hair.

She looked up, bewildered. “What are you doing?” she asked, confusion filling her voice.

“What else? Admiring and pampering my little troublemaker,” he replied, a smirk tugging at his lips.

“ why are you talking so softly?” she demanded, her voice trembling.

He raised an eyebrow. “You don’t like it? Should I yell instead?”

She swallowed, uncertain. “I mean… maybe it’d be more fitting.”

“Oh, you like it when I raise my voice, huh?” he teased, his tone light but his eyes flashing with something much darker. “Then go ahead—try it again.”

“What?” She followed his gaze to the phone, her face reflecting her confusion and hesitation.

“Try it again,” he repeated, his voice cold.

She hesitated, glancing at the phone. Then, with a surge of excitement, she reached for it, only for Dimitri to grab her wrist, yanking her toward him. He pinned her arms behind her back, his grip unyielding and painful as he pulled her close.

“Try that again, and I’ll make sure your brother regrets it,” he hissed, his voice barely a whisper. “I’ll bring him here for you as a little ‘present,’ but dead and then you can talk to him as much as you like.”

Her eyes widened in shock and fear. “Let me go, Dimitri. You’re hurting me!”

“And anyone else you try calling? Same fate,” he replied without a hint of remorse, pulling her even closer, his grip iron-tight.

“Dimitri … please,” she begged, her voice laced with pain.

“Consider yourself lucky I’m allowing you to roam around the house because of my parents,” he murmured, his voice chilling. “But don’t push it. Dare to try this again, and I’ll lock you up right in front of them.”

“You wouldn’t,” she whispered, testing his resolve.

His smirk returned, darker than before. “Try me, doll.”

Just then, his mother’s cheerful voice echoed from the hallway, “Dimitri! Oh, you’re home!” But as she entered the room, her smile faded at the sight of the two of them standing so close, the tension in the air thick and unmistakable. “What’s going on here?”

Crystal quickly turned her head, hiding the tears that had gathered in her eyes.

Dimitri kept his gaze locked on her, his voice a low murmur only she could hear. “Remember this,” he said icily, then released her with a sudden shove, causing her to stumble back.

He gave his mother a quick nod before turning and heading up the stairs without a backward glance.

As soon as he was out of sight, Crystal let out a shaky breath, muttering under her breath, “Monster,” her eyes lingering on the empty staircase where he’d disappeared.