Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 76820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
“You’ll survive,” he murmurs. Viktor gestures to something behind me, and I glance over my shoulder. One of the guards steps out of the shadows next to the mansion, and my lips part on a gasp.
Instantly, I’m overcome with emotion at the sight of the Labrador puppy in the guard’s arms.
“She’s yours,” Viktor says.
Slowly, I get up, the pizza forgotten. With my eyes glued on the golden bundle, my chin starts to tremble from the happiness hitting me in the chest.
The guard sets her down, and I inch closer until I can crouch in front of her. She scoots closer, cautiously sniffing my hand, which smells like pizza. When her little tongue darts out and licks my finger, laughter bubbles over my lips.
“Hi,” I whisper.
She looks up at me with huge brown eyes, and I instantly fall in love. Careful not to hurt her, I pick her up and cradle her against my chest.
“Hi, beautiful.” She licks my jaw, drawing more laughter from me. I turn around and ask, “What’s her name?”
“You need to give her one,” Viktor answers, his voice sounding hoarse.
My eyes dart to his face. “You didn’t name her?”
He shakes his head. “She’s your birthday gift, Little Rose. You get to name her.”
He got me a dog.
Overcome with emotions I’m far from ready to feel, I stare at him until my puppy licks my jaw again.
I lower my gaze to her and can’t help but smile. “Hi, Luna.”
I press my face into her fur and struggle to keep the tears at bay.
“You need to train her. I don’t want her ripping my house to shreds, and if I step in shit, all hell will break loose.”
A burst of laughter explodes from me. “I’ll take good care of her.”
Viktor gets up and comes to rub her head. Our eyes lock, and I’m unable to stop myself from saying, “Thank you. She’s perfect.”
His eyes warm with an emotion I pretend not to notice as he whispers, “Just like her mother.”
Suddenly he walks back into the house. “I got pee pads, toys, and food. She needs to get her vaccination shots. The first one is scheduled for tomorrow.”
I stare at Viktor as he brings bags into the living room, feeling a little amazed.
He didn’t have to do anything, yet he tried to make my birthday special.
Don’t, Rosalie.
Wanting to enjoy my first moments with Luna, I gather the bags in one hand and head up the stairs. When I’m in my bedroom, I kick the door shut and sit down on the floor with Luna between my legs.
“God, you’re so cute,” I coo as I rub her head and press kisses to her fur. “I’m going to love you with all of my heart.”
Emptying the bags, I take the bowls out and quickly fill one with water. When I set it down, it takes a good ten minutes of coaxing before Luna drinks some.
I pet her head. “Don’t worry. You’ll get used to everything soon.”
Just like I have to.
Overcome with emotion, I gather her against my chest and let the tears fall.
At least I’m not alone anymore.
While I pour all my affection out on my puppy, I can’t help but think that Viktor has really gone out of his way to make my stay pleasant.
He could’ve thrown me in the basement and tortured and killed me.
God, things could’ve been so much worse for me if one of the other four had taken me. Nikolas Stathoulis would’ve killed me.
I’ll never admit it out loud, and I’ll only think it this once – maybe Viktor did save me.
Chapter 12
Viktor
God damn, the powerful emotions I felt when I heard Rosalie laugh scared the shit out of me.
I watched her fall in love with Luna and got jealous of a puppy.
After cleaning up and putting the leftover pizza in the fridge, I lock up and switch all the lights off. Taking the stairs up, I go to Rosalie’s room and softly open the door. She’s curled up on the bed, fast asleep, with Luna snuggled against her chest. She didn’t even change out of the dress. The fabric is bunched high around her thighs, giving me a glimpse of black lace panties.
Christ.
Luna’s eyes open, she takes one look at me, then falls asleep again.
Lucky dog.
I walk closer and carefully pull the covers over Rosalie’s legs, then get my ass out of the room and shut the door.
Today was a win in my book. With a smile playing around my mouth, I head to my bathroom and turn on the faucets in the shower.
I strip out of the suit I had to wear for the meeting with a prospective arms dealer early this morning.
Stepping under the warm spray, I replay the day in my mind. I got more than one smile out of Rosalie. It wasn’t a perfect birthday, but at least she laughed, which is more than I had hoped for.