"I had good intentions," Alexander growled with restraint, tossing his cloak to his bodyguards without so much as a glance back at them. "I thought you were in dire straits - not at a resort, but in prison. I wanted to give you some respite, a chance to regain your bearings... And what do I discover? The moment you're released and given a chance, you attempt to escape! Is that how you keep your word?"

"I never made any promises," Daniel murmured pathetically, clearing his throat and standing upright. He repeated louder, "I made no promises."

"That's the reality," Alexander said with an unpleasant smile, advancing slowly, like a predatory cat closing in on a cornered mouse. "So, you stole from me - tricked me once. Agreed to my terms and then attempted to escape - tricked me twice. Do you think you'll get a third chance?"

"I didn't steal from you," Daniel whispered. Alexander's head snapped to the side. "I didn't commit that crime; I've said it countless times. I was unjustly imprisoned, that's why I should have been released..." Daniel faltered, his words becoming jumbled, sensing that he was losing his grip, that his explanation was inadequate. "I wanted to meet with you to clarify..."

"Enough," Alexander growled furiously. "You've explained yourself enough. You make a mess, you have to own up to it. Do you think if I got you out of jail, I didn't have insurance? Are you stupid? I'm not going to accept a lousy explanation in place of 150 million. Either you return it to me, or-" Alexander paused ominously.

"I don't have any money," Daniel muttered helplessly, realizing his pleas would fall on deaf ears. His last glimmer of hope faded away.

"Well, not the entire amount, of course, but your share is stashed somewhere. You hid it quite cleverly; even my security team couldn't locate it," Alexander's tone softened slightly. He approached with a gentler smile, turning Daniel's face toward the floor lamp. Daniel raised a hand as if to push him away but withdrew it immediately.

"Slim, gaunt, yet still as handsome as ever. I've never encountered a more striking man," Alexander whispered in fascination as Daniel breathed in and out, detecting notes of sharp woody perfume, and the warmth of a vigorous, sweaty body. "Everyone out," Alexander instructed softly, and his entourage, who had been hovering awkwardly in the background, exited, closing the door quietly behind them. "So, Danny, what will it be: stand by my side or return to prison, this time for fifteen years?" Alexander traced his thumb along Daniel's trembling chin, holding him firmly to prevent any evasion.

The moments stretched like rubber, the intense gaze of those green eyes drawing him in, his heart pounding erratically as if it might burst from his chest. Once again, his fate hung in the balance, and once again, it seemed to lean toward the worst outcome.

"I'll stay with you," Daniel responded after a prolonged silence, squeezing his eyes shut. He couldn't bear to meet the triumphant gaze shining with satisfaction. "But for how long? I'd like to discuss the duration."

"You're not in a position to negotiate," Alexander interjected sharply, then softened his tone. "Are you trembling? Is it that frightening?"

"It is," Daniel admitted truthfully, feeling the stranger's touch tracing over his face with a skilled familiarity, smoothing his features, tracing his lips.

"I'm not that intimidating," Alexander murmured softly, still studying him with an intense gaze that could be felt even with closed eyes. "Look at me."

Daniel complied, meeting his gaze obediently.

"So, Danny," Alexander's lips parted eagerly as he locked eyes with Daniel's troubled gaze. "I strongly advise against attempting to flee. The border authorities have flagged your identity. The moment you present your passport, they'll apprehend you. And why? Because your case hasn't been dismissed; it's only a commutation of sentence - it has been changed to house arrest. If you're caught trying to cross the border again, they'll discover more hashish in your possession - enough to warrant a maximum sentence of fifteen years. You're at my mercy, in case that hasn't dawned on you yet, and my reach is extensive. No matter where you attempt to flee, I'll pursue legal action and ensure your incarceration. Do you understand?"

"I understand," Daniel breathed out softly, maintaining unwavering eye contact. It felt as if everything had crumbled around him. Despair settled heavily, casting a fog over his perception of reality. The touch of the stranger, the warm breath on his face, the closeness of his imposing presence only intensified the sensation.

How naive he had been to believe that the first criminal case had been resolved, and that Alexander wouldn't have the opportunity to fabricate another one during his escape. The case was akin to a timed bomb, set to detonate with a fifteen-year sentence the next time he attempted to escape; Daniel harbored no doubt about that - Alexander's assured demeanor left no room for doubt. His thoughts were a chaotic whirlwind, fluttering like frightened butterflies ensnared in a sticky web. The only thing crystal clear was that this time, he found himself in the direst of prisons.

As Alexander's breaths quickened, he delicately traced his fingers over Daniel's neck, tense shoulders, and heaving chest. Despite feeling the warmth of Alexander's broad palms on his body, Daniel experienced no aversion, only a weary resignation. His perception seemed split: a part of him remained tethered to Alexander, while another part retreated inward, seeking solace like a tiny dot in a crevice, enduring the ordeal. Alexander muttered indistinctly, pushed him somewhere, his warm breath grazing Daniel's temple. Daniel moved as if under the control of unseen forces, yielding to the guiding hands. Eventually, he slumped onto the bed, drawing a sharp breath as his hoodie and T-shirt were slowly pulled up over his stomach.

"Don't be afraid," Alexander whispered calmly as he leisurely removed Daniel's hoodie and T-shirt, tossing them to the floor. "Look at me, Danny, can you hear me? Look at me and don't be afraid," he continued, his gaze commanding, sensing Daniel's detachment and refusing to accept it. "I won't go far tonight, I just want to -" With a swift motion, Alexander yanked off Daniel's jeans and underwear, causing Daniel to shudder and squirm.

His spine tingled with goosebumps, and a sudden chill enveloped him, almost compelling him to shield himself. The sensation of vulnerability overwhelmed him, reminiscent of the discomfort he felt when Sennoy instructed him to undress entirely. He couldn't detach himself from the moment, unable to envision himself elsewhere, safely concealed in some hidden nook. Alexander undressed, leaving only his dark green boxers, and Daniel's eyes fell upon the engorged groin, marked by a telltale moist dark stain of desire. Panic seized him in the pit of his stomach, prompting him to recoil and instinctively shield himself with his arms while drawing his knees up to his chest.

"I understand you're not ready, but I can't wait any longer," Alexander whispered in between breaths, turning Daniel back around, gently urging his knees down and releasing his arms. "Things will change, you'll see..."

He slid his hands beneath Daniel's perspiring back, drawing him closer, pressing his firm groin against Daniel's legs, and kissed his lips. Daniel trembled uncontrollably. While the touch of another man's body wasn't unfamiliar, it was the first human embrace he had experienced in many dreadful months, shattering his fragile mental barriers and compelling him to respond.

Alexander interpreted Daniel's intense shiver in his own manner. With a concerned expression, he lifted his head, gazing into Daniel's astonished eyes, and whispered soothing words as he lightly kissed his cheeks, nose, and lips. Daniel sucked in air sharply through his teeth, feeling Alexander's hand moving rhythmically, the rough hairs grazing against the tender skin of his limp groin, and the warm, moist tip of his erect cock brushing over it.

In that moment, all Daniel could think about was that for the first time in seven months, he was being touched and the touch was devoid of any squeamishness, embraced, rather than merely used for sexual gratification. The fact that another man took pleasure in him was a lesser evil; he could have been forced to kneel, suck cock and take it in the ass.

As Daniel closed his eyes and reacted to Alexander's movements, he paradoxically felt revitalized, as though emerging from a state of momentary anabiosis. It felt as though he, once a mere mechanical tool for stress relief, had finally been imbued with humanity. Yet, concurrently, the sensation of being vulnerably exposed, unable to detach himself from the humiliating act, intensified. He reminded himself to stay composed, to unwind. This was simply sex, mere flesh in motion, and the true essence of himself remained distant from the experience.

Alexander let out a groan as he collapsed beside him, his warm semen spilling onto Daniel's stomach, his left arm tucked beneath him. Daniel gradually relaxed, his breathing becoming steadier and deeper. A heavy blanket of exhaustion enveloped him once more, rendering him immobile and speechless. Despite Alexander's whispered words and tickling fingers tracing over his neck, chest, and stomach, Daniel's consciousness began to slip away as he drifted back into sleep.

Suddenly, Alexander shook him, repeating his question.

"Who did this?" Alexander's brow furrowed as he gently probed Daniel's left side, eliciting a muffled groan of pain, while his hand traced over the reddened area of his stomach.

Maxim's strikes seemed capable of leaving bruises, given the soreness Daniel felt. They landed in areas where bruises typically wouldn't result from accidental contact with furniture. Daniel gazed wearily and unfocused at Alexander's furrowed yet handsome face, knowing he had inflicted considerable pain and could potentially cause more harm. He chose to remain silent, aware that stirring up trouble could lead to complications, potentially affecting relationships with the bodyguards. The consequences of being too outspoken were dangerous.

"Understood," Alexander murmured. "I'll handle it myself. You're exhausted, get some rest. We'll meet in the morning to discuss everything."

Alexander rose from the bed effortlessly, made his way to the bathroom, and returned with a damp towel while Daniel remained in the same position, relieved that he didn't have to respond and that Alexander would soon leave. The fog of cotton-headed lethargy dulled Daniel's surprise as Alexander began to gently dry him off. Daniel hadn't anticipated such tenderness from him, nor had he expected the warm affection evident in Alexander's eyes.

It felt as if Alexander was courting him like a caring boyfriend rather than treating him as a forced lover who had stolen a hundred and fifty million dollars from him. The irrationality of Alexander's behavior sent a shiver down Daniel's damp skin. Hastily, Daniel covered himself with the blanket like a shield and closed his eyes, disconnecting himself from the unfolding scene. With a broken sigh, Alexander casually ran his fingers over Daniel's cheek before dressing himself.

"Rest, we'll discuss everything in the morning. If you need anything, then..." Alexander paused, then resumed after a moment. "Another bodyguard will be here with you, Tengiz. He's calm."

Daniel remained silent, feigning sleep even though he was wide awake. Alexander's oddly affectionate behavior, juxtaposed with his earlier threats of a longer imprisonment, was scaring him. The vague terms of staying with him were also unnerving. Daniel recalled how many times his grandmother had warned him about acting too hastily and advised him to carefully consider his decisions. It would have been wiser for him to wait until the meeting to calmly discuss everything with the dangerous Alexander, rather than accept being pushed into this whole uncontrollable situation.

Dangerous Alexander leaned in abruptly, planting a kiss on his lips, catching Daniel off guard. He recoiled, shaking his head in protest. Alexander sank heavily onto the edge of the bed, drawing Daniel closer to him and speaking with a measured tone.

"You're still awake, let's talk now. I understand you've been through a lot lately. These have been rough few months. You weren't supposed to be subjected to that," Alexander paused, carefully selecting his words. Daniel looked at him with a mix of surprise and indignation, realizing his meaning.

"Intimidation, punishment, yes, but not..." Alexander's expression twisted in discomfort. "But things went awry. If I could go back and make a cooler-headed decision, perhaps I would have handled things differently. I'd have you work off your debt, keep you confined until you repaid me. But you can't undo the past. And let me be clear, I'm not trying to excuse myself or express regret for punishing you. I apologize for the method, not the motive. No one, and I mean no one, dares to steal from me," Alexander's lips tightened, his gaze piercing. Daniel swallowed nervously, the shifts in Alexander's demeanor, from gentle to harsh, were swift and seamless, unlike those of most people.

"Say something."

"Something," Daniel echoed, his mind drawing a blank. It was unsettling to listen to the threats, to meet the cold gaze of those green eyes, and to anticipate the impending aftermath, filled with more threats. He didn't even want to dwell on what had transpired or what might unfold next; it was evident that nothing favorable would come of it. All he yearned for was for Alexander to leave, to be left alone to process the day's events: the failed escape, the rush of adrenaline, and the unsettling satisfaction of another man, leaving him feeling as if he were nothing more than an object from a seedy shop.

Alexander raised his eyebrows in puzzlement, studying him intently to discern whether Daniel was being facetious or genuinely dense. Apparently concluding the latter, he adjusted the blanket over Daniel and sighed wearily.

"It's a mistake to turn down psychotherapy, Danny. According to the medical center, you haven't shown any improvement in your treatment. You're not just some ex-convict or a tough guy from rural Russia who's been through the wringer. This experience has been a significant shock for you, and you need to work through it and let it go; otherwise, you'll struggle with post-traumatic stress for a long time. Trust me, I speak from experience; I've dealt with PTSD myself," Alexander murmured with a touch of regret, noticing Daniel's lack of response. "Perhaps I'll share more about it with you someday. In any case, try to come to terms with the situation and move forward."

"Why would you say that?" Daniel asked softly, convinced that his suspicion was correct: Ksenia was working for Alexander and feeding him information.

"I want to see you recover and be healthy. I don't want broken people in my circle, and you'll be around here for quite some time."

"How long?" Daniel, steering the conversation where he wanted, tensed.

"As long as I see fit," Alexander playfully flicked him on the nose and grinned. "But don't worry, you'll be living in comfortable conditions, better than anything you've experienced before. I've done my homework on you."

"Comfortable conditions don't exist within captivity," Daniel replied desperately. "Even prison sentences have their limits. You're subjecting me to indefinite confinement. Why bother with psychotherapy? I'd lose my mind regardless."

"That's logical," Alexander remarked absentmindedly, pondering the matter. "So, you've been sentenced to three years, meaning you'll remain with me for the same duration."

"I've already completed seven months," Daniel interjected cautiously, then continued, "which leaves two and a half years, correct?"

"Yes, it is," Alexander conceded reluctantly.

"And if, hypothetically, I can prove my innocence," Daniel paused as he noticed Alexander's furrowed brow, quickly amending, "or earn the specified amount of money for you, then I'll be eligible for parole, correct?"

"Neither option is viable for you," Alexander interjected bluntly. "Don't try to negotiate; it's not your strong suit. You haven't developed the skill yet."

"But what if I do succeed?" Daniel inquired hopefully, sensing his heart quicken.

"If you succeed, you'll earn your freedom," Alexander replied with a resigned shrug, rising from his seat. "If you're not planning to sleep, then get up and dress. I haven't had dinner yet."

"I prefer to sleep," Daniel clung to the blanket. Being in Alexander's presence was agonizing - a spectrum of negative emotions flooded him, from intense hatred to helpless fear. The bleak realization that his fate lay in Alexander's hands did little to inspire a desire to dine or even share the same space.

"Very well," Alexander uttered after a pause, looming over him. "I'll give you some time to adjust. But afterward, the power dynamic will be clear: I give orders, you comply. I'll see you tomorrow, Danny."

Daniel nodded quietly, indicating his understanding of the terms. Alexander stood over him silently, his intense gaze adding to the weight of the moment, before abruptly turning and striding out of the room, closing the door behind him. Daniel gazed up at the ceiling with a sense of longing. Two and a half more years, that's half the time he had intended to dedicate to his doctorate studies. Two and a half years of unofficial imprisonment for a crime he didn't commit. There was no one to appeal to, no one to seek help from; he had to rely solely on his own resilience. There seemed to be no escape from the bleak reality, only the oppressive grayness of Moscow. Daniel wrapped himself in a blanket, curling into a ball, and shut his eyes tightly. His eyes stung, but no tears came, as if he had exhausted all his strength.

A soft knock sounded at the door. An unfamiliar, melodic voice  asked  if he wanted dinner, but Daniel remained silent. His frazzled nervous system craved tranquility and solitude, at least for the night, if it were permitted.