PROLOGUE
THREE YEARS AGO
Audrianna looked out at the expanse of the surrounding hills and was awed by the beauty of the tropical rainforest. Trinidad was truly a beautiful place. A few feet from her was a steep cliff face that gave way to a ravine. She heard the sound of running water at the bottom, a few yards below. The mellow morning enchanted her, and the whistling birds raised her spirit and put her mind at ease.
She hugged herself in the purple fur coat she wore. Naked underneath, her black skin was starting to bear goose-bumps. She shivered. Hearing the crunch of forest leaves, she turned to look at the person who had intruded on her space. Viktor Maxckmillian, the Russian Junior Ambassador from the local embassy. She had known him for years before he received the post.
His approach was purposeful as he emerged from the canopy of trees. He wore slacks but no top, only an overcoat. He was both strong and tall, a well-chiseled male specimen. His jet-black hair was long and flowing, past his shoulders. The ends were tipped with grey, though he was barely over twenty. Audrianna bit her lower lip against the impassioned feeling inside her that his stare wrought.
"You didn't have to follow me," Audrianna yelled at him from a few feet away, scowling as he quirked a brow at her, never hesitating in his approach.
"I'm not going to disappear on you again." He stood inches from her now. "It wouldn't make any sense now that you know who I am and where I live."
He gazed at her, a lazy smile on his face. "I'm not taking any chances, especially where you're concerned."
Audrianna shrugged, nonchalant.
"Have you an answer for my proposal?"
She shrugged again.
Her eyes diverted sideways. She did not witness the twinge of sadness that flashed across Viktor's features. His expression soon gave way to one of pique, and then arrogant anger. He reached for her, gripping the fur on either side, and swung her so that she tilted backward, arching her body over the cliff.
Shocked, Audrianna clung onto him, her body exposed. She looked at him determinedly, meeting an equally determined expression.
"Viktor!"
"No!" He ground out. "Now, you listen to me. Everything I have worked for, everything that I have sacrificed, has been for this." He pushed her closer to the edge and she cried out. "You are in possession of me, woman, and I own you. Your hesitation impugns us both. There is no going back on this. I warned you before, if all that is left for us is the depths of hell, then we embrace hell- together."