Damned: Chapter 13) Retaliation

My insides suddenly poisoned me with a dark clenching ache.

No.

This couldn’t be true.

I swallowed this peculiar feeling within me and tried to find my voice, “His…what?”

For the first time in my life, my voice went raw and weak.

“You really are deaf, Donovan.” Natalia rolled her eyes and scowled hitting Nikolai with a sharp intense look.

“They’re engaged, Katherine.”

“No, he…” I couldn’t even finish as a lace of shock and a mix of ambiguity perfumed within me, “He…when did…”

“A while ago,” Nik shrugged in reply.

“I don’t believe this.”

“The guy’s 28, he had to get married sooner or later.”

“But he’s in the Mafia!”

“Just because we’re in it doesn’t make us no less human,” Natalia stated harshly yet she never looked at me.

“I hadn’t meant it like that, Natalia.”

Ignoring me, she looked towards Nik and scowled, “Meet me in the room. Now.”

With that, she walked away and Nikolai followed.

I stood there in utter shock, everything suddenly felt like a dream. Walking back to the room, trying to channel my multiple emotions into one was the hardest thing to do. I slumped down on the sofa and replayed everything that happened between Vitaly and me.

I was unsure of what I was feeling. I wanted to murder him. He led me on. He kissed me! He kissed me even though he had a fiancée. Vitaly played me and used me as if I was some sort of object. That’s all he knew to do! He always toyed with my emotions! He manipulated me the first time we met and now… now I felt as if I was suffocating from some sort of toxin. He’s going to be a married man. What he did was wrong! Then again, didn’t he say he was the definition of wrong?

Men.

Rostov.

I hated him so damn much right now. More than I ever did. 

I honestly felt as if I had a pencil in my heart.

“Katherine.” A voice webbed the air.

I didn’t answer.

“Katrina.” The person spoke again yet this time I jumped slightly in a startled manner as I felt a cold hand on my shoulder.

Getting up and turning around, I faced him.

I fisted my hand at the side of me as I looked at him in detest. I was suddenly unable to control the anger towards this man that was building up within me.

“You had wanted to-”

Before he could have completed that sentence, I slapped him.

It was the sharpest slap I had ever given. I was so fumed right now that I literally felt my hand burning.

“You damn well know what that was for.” I seethed murderously.

Vitaly slowly locked eyes with me. Just when I thought he would argue back at me and get mad. He didn’t. Instead, he held my gaze and almost seemed to be reading deep into my aching soul. There was something about him that didn’t seem in place right now. The way he was looking at me wasn’t in his usual manner. He suddenly became so cryptic it was alarming.

“Do it again.” He stated in a silky and soft tone.

“What?” I asked taking a few steps back as he neared me.

“Slap me again.”

“Excuse me?”

“I want to feel your soft hand on my skin again.”

“They’ll be even ‘softer’ when they’re around your throat, Rostov.” I scowled and hit my back against the wall.

He didn’t seem like he was joking.

“This isn’t right Vitaly, stop it.” I breathed.

“I don’t care.”

“Well, I do!”

“I know.”

His tone was dead serious and it scared me how raw his voice was. He leaned in on me and stared at my lips.

“I don’t regret doing what I did, Katherine.”

With that, he flicked his eyes back up to mine and spoke in a harsh tone, “I don’t.”

 “And that’s exactly the problem with men. They do things that would only hurt us. You were an unfaithful bastard right from the start. Listen, Rostov, I don’t partake in adultery nor do I support it.”

“You misunderstand me, Katrina.”

“Oh?” I said with a short bitter laugh, “Did I ‘misunderstand’ that you would have a wife soon?”

“It’s not like you think it is.” he frowned.

“Please for God’s sake, just leave me alone,” I stated pushing him away.

As I was about to walk out the door, Oksana entered. I had to admit she was beautiful, she had this exotic flare to her. Then again, Natalia also did as well. And me? Well, I wouldn’t say I was bad-looking. I’m beautiful in my own special weird little way and I think everyone is. No girl should compare herself with another to lower her self-esteem. It isn’t something I would encourage others to do.

“Oh what a long time I hadn’t been inside here.” she smiled, “I’ll tell one of the workers to bring my stuff up soon.”

Saying that she looked at me yet aimed the question to Vitaly, “Is she a maid here? I don’t see the reason for her being in your room. If I were-”

“That’s enough, Oksana!” Vitaly harshly cut her off and held my gaze, “Miss Donovan and I both know what we want. It isn’t your concern.”

 I noticed how bitter her expression became yet I was feeling this sudden throb within my chest. I didn’t want to stay in this room again. I didn’t want to even look at Vitaly. He took advantage of everything and I didn’t like that. I knew he was someone I should have stayed away from yet there was something about him that drew me in. Like a moth to a flame. There was something different about Vitaly, he wasn’t just someone in the mafia. There was something else about him. Something my curiosity was aching to find out yet I’m afraid that if I fall into his madness- into his inferno- to find answers, I’m afraid I won’t be able to get out.

“Miss Katherine,” Maria smiled as she walked towards me in the hallway, “I was looking for you.”

“Oh were you?” I asked with a sad smile.

“Yes, I was asked to ensure that everyone is seated for dinner tonight.”

“I don’t want to sit with those people, Maria.”

“Please, Miss Donovan. It’s sir’s orders that everyone be seated- including you.”

“Sir? Vitaly?”

“No, his grandfather- Ded.”

“Oh, I see.” I replied, “I still don’t know, Maria. I don’t belong with these people.”

“I specifically asked about you, he said he wishes no one to starve in this house. You’re a guest and you will be treated like one. I think it’s best if you go, I might even be in trouble if you don’t attend.”
“Then I’ll go for your sake.” I sighed.

She smiled thankfully, “You’re a very sweet woman, Miss Donovan, I truly hope God blesses and gives you what you deserve. Everyone’s being seated downstairs, you should probably go as well.”

I nodded and she walked away. At first, I was a bit hesitant to go there but I sucked it up. I mean, it was just a normal dinner- what could possibly go wrong?

I stood at the door of the dining room where I saw Vitaly’s grandfather seated at the head of the table speaking to Sevastian at the side. Mikhail was taking his seat while giving instructions to a worker and Natalia sat at the other head. Nikolai walked in from the other entrance, taking a seat to the side of Natalia.

“Taking Vit’s place Natty?” he smiled, “What? Are you mad at him?”

She rolled her eyes, “This is the new world Nik, women are equal to men. We don’t have to be discriminated by where we seat at a table.”

For once, I completely agreed with her.

As I walked in, Oksana walked in from the other entrance. Her expression seemed brutal towards me yet shifted towards Natalia. They both locked eyes almost in a challenge and it was almost murderous.

Well, that was something.

Oksana then walked around the table to greet Sevastian when Nik suddenly called me with a smile,

“Katherine, come sit with us.”

I was about to when I noticed Maria struggling with the plates and glasses as she came out of the kitchen. Instead, I went up to her and offered to help yet she refused me. Still, I took the glasses from her. I couldn’t just sit there and watch the poor girl struggle. As I walked, Oksana walked towards me and at that moment she stuck her foot out.

The glasses fell shattering on the ground as I tried to steady myself up on one of the chairs.

“You tripped me!” I raged angrily. I honestly had it with this girl.

At this time, all eyes were on us.

“I did not. It’s you who walk as if you have two left feet.”

“Well, at least I don’t walk as if I have a rod up my ass.” I snapped back.

“You little piece of shit.” Oksana’s voice echoed.

“Enough!” Mikhail interjected, “Miss Donovan, you’re forgetting your place here. Don’t test my patience.”

“It isn’t her fault, Mikhail.” Nik defended.

“Would someone just clean the mess up?” Sevastian frowned, “Maria, clean it.”

“Yes sir.” She quickly agreed.

“Don’t.” Mikhail stopped her, “Miss Donovan will clean it.”

Oksana looked at me smugly as he said that.

I did not want to clean that up. It wasn’t my fault. He had no right to order me like that. Quite frankly, I wanted to stick this butter knife on the table into his head. I stood there unresponsive to his order. I was not their slave. I was not wrong. Give it a minute again, and I would definitely walk away. My eyes went to the table and hooked on the old man. His gaze made me shiver at the intensity. I didn’t expect him to speak, but he did.

“Did you not hear what you were told to do, girl?” he voiced in that think harsh accent.

There was something about the way he said that, it scared me. It was a warning- a threat. I was forgetting that I was in a house filled with dangerous people. What if I don’t do what they say and they hurt my family. Vitaly was one story but these others were another. With a soft breath, I looked at the shattered glass on the ground.

I was about to clean it up when someone suddenly held both sides of my arms and raised me up. His teeth were clenched yet covered by the thin line in which his lips formed. The blue in his eyes seemed consuming yet deep like the ocean filled with murderous sharks.

“At no point in time will she go on her knees for anyone.” Vitaly’s voice iced as he kept his hands on me.

I was having this odd sensation within me. His touch inflicted the sudden pain and longing he caused. I didn’t like it. I didn’t like that I liked his touch. It was wrong. I shrugged away from him and he turned to Mikhail.

“She’s also a guest here and I expect you to be hospitable. If you had wanted someone to clean this up other than Maria then you should have gotten your ass off the chair and do it yourself.”

“Vitaly!” The old man scolded.

 “Don’t expect me to apologize to him Ded because I’m not sorry.”

Oksana took the seat next to Nikolai and saved a space next to her for Vitaly.

“Clean this up, Maria,” he instructed and looked towards me, “Take a seat.”

“I’m not hungry,” I mumbled not looking him in the eyes. This was all embarrassing now. I didn’t like any of this.

“Sit down, Katherine.” He scolded softly.

I didn’t want to listen to him but something told me to do it. With that, I took the seat next to Natalia, opposite Nik.

“Well now that that’s sorted out, I’m starving.” Nikolai laughed.

Natalia rolled her eyes at that, “Is there ever a time when you’re not?”

Vitaly suddenly pulled the seat next to me and sat.

“Vitaly,” Oksana breathlessly stated, “Why are you sitting there?”

“Does it matter where I sit?” he asked almost annoyed as he drank a glass of water.

“Yes, we’re going to be married soon. At least show me some love and sit closer to me.”

Wow.

My fist suddenly wanted to French kiss her face.

“Perhaps I’m just sitting here to stare at how lovely you are.” Vitaly smiled, “I can’t see you fully at the side, can I?”

“You’re- right.” She shrugged.

I ate in awkward silence as Maria and another worker placed our food on the table.

“Delicious, isn’t it Kat?” Nik smiled.

“Yes, it is,” I replied in a soft voice.

“What was that darling?” Oksana obnoxiously interjected, “Don’t chew your words, learn to speak like an adult.”

Before I could have said anything to her, Natalia suddenly and surprisingly spoke, “Katherine was not speaking to you Oksana. Learn to mind your business. Alright, darling?”

I almost choked at that.

Did she just defend me?

Holy macaroni.

 The conversation took another turn as Sevastian asked Oksana about her trip to Italy and in all honestly, it was a bit annoying listening to her speak. I suddenly turned a bit like Natalia and did a few ‘eye rolls’ and fake smiles. Sevastian then interchanged his experiences with going to Japan recently and meeting few businessmen. This was so exciting. Now I see why they don’t eat together very often.

That sudden moment, I felt Vitaly’s hand on mine under the table. Shock shivered through me at the contact he was making. His cold rough yet elegant hand caressed my soft fragile one. I tried to pull away in panic but he tightened his hold on mine.

I liked it. I liked the way his skin felt on mine. It was electrifying, it was filling, it was wrong. What he was doing was beyond wrong.

“Excuse me,” I stated and tugged my hand away from him in a force going towards the kitchen.

I didn’t know what I was going to do in the kitchen so I awkwardly made my way towards the bathroom. Trying to calm myself seemed like the most arduous thing to do. What was Rostov’s deal anyway? God, help me. I can’t handle any more of these situations. Spending a few minutes in there again, I took a deep breath and came out only to find Maria and Oksana in the kitchen.

Oksana held a smug smile upon her face and looked at Maria with such scorn.

“Miss, I was just-”

“Whoops.” Oksana said as she held her plate out and threw the contents of her plate on the ground, “You missed a spot.”

What the hell?

For some reason, I was so mad. My anger was beyond furious. It was level crazy right now. That was no way to treat another person.

Taking the tray of condiments up, I walked towards them at an angry speed, and as soon as Oksana turned around.

“Whoops.” I smiled and the condiments soiled her clothing.

Her shock was evident and Maria’s eyes widened to the size of Texas.

“Oh dear,” I frowned and looked at my dirty hand, “Looks like I missed a spot.”

With that, I wiped my hand on her clothing.

I stood my ground as she clenched her teeth towards me. I swore she would have said something but surprisingly she didn’t. She walked away muttering something angrily.

Something about that told me that she wasn’t going to let it slide but for now I’ll celebrate my victory. I helped Maria clean up as the poor girl was struggling to do so by herself since the other worker had left. When I was finished, I decided to take some of the dishes up to the stock room on the top floor for her.

On my way up there, in that hallway that I had to admit was dead creepy, I heard sudden shouts. It came from a room from afar. The last door at the end which was slightly opened, it seemed like two persons were arguing inside there. Cautiously, I walked up to the door and peeked in only to note the two shocking individuals.

“Couldn’t get rid of me, could you Natty?” Oksana smirked as she gripped Natalia by the hair and locked her in her arms chokingly.

“When you have to do something, you do it yourself!” Natalia grunted as she pushed her away and in a swift moment she took a vase up and smashed it across her face.

Oksana fell at the table on the back, held her face, and gave a sick wicked laugh, “Afraid I tell anyone your secrets?”

“Don’t cross your limit with me.” she growled, “Why did you come back?”

“For the unfinished business!” Oksana hissed and charged against her.

Oh my God!

They tackled each other when suddenly Oksana pulled a gun out to her but Natalia kicked her causing her to drop it. The gun landed at the door, right next to me. At that precise moment, Oksana grabbed a sharp glass and aimed at Natalia. I quickly took up the gun and bolted through the door.

 “No! Stop it!” I panicked that Oksana would actually stab her.

With Natalia pinned at the side of the table, she turned towards me with a short laugh. “Don’t worry babe, you’re next.”

Oksana raised the sharp object with such a force but before she could plunge it into Natalia, I did the unbelievable.

I pulled the trigger.

The gunshot echoed throughout the entire house. I panicked, I was scared, I shot her.

Looking forwards, I noticed how Oksana’s body slumped to the ground and blood gushed out of her making a pool of red sin.

Oh my God.

Oh my God.

The sudden sound of persons rushing to the room laced through the air and I distantly remember one rough voice. Vitaly.

“What happened?” his question choked me.

My body numbed as I looked at the girl on the ground.

Oh, God.

I killed her.

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