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I nod. “I remember. I helped them out with a problem they had a few weeks ago.”
His sister smiles at me from across the table.
“Tell me about yourself, Lilli. What institution did you escape from?”
Mikhail shakes his head as his mother says with a sigh. “Take no notice of her, Lilli. You must forgive our surprise that Mikhail has brought a guest home. You must be an amazing woman.”
“She is.” Mikhail turns to me and smiles.
I roll my eyes and turn to Ana. “If you know of any good ones, tell me because even I’m questioning my own sanity right now.”
One of his brothers laughs out loud. “You have my sympathy.”
He winks and for some reason he doesn’t seem so scary anymore and he says with a smile, “I’m Valentin. The younger brother, but still older than Ana.”
He nudges his sister, who is sitting beside him.
I smile, but I don’t think easy conversation is required at this family table. If anything, they appear irritated to be here, which makes for a lot of tension surrounding us. It’s as if everyone knows something I don’t and it’s a little unnerving.
I don’t miss the looks they share and the impatience for something I’m not party to.
It’s awkward as fuck and I’m glad when the meal is ended and Grace smiles at me from across the table.
“I would love some time alone with you, Lilli. To show you around and get to know you better.”
To be honest, I’m grateful for any excuse to leave this atmosphere, and as I glance at Mikhail, he nods. “I’ll come and find you.”
Ana smiles reassuringly as I push back my chair and smile at Grace.
“Thank you. I’d like that.”
We walk away and as soon as we are out of earshot, Grace sighs heavily. “Please forgive my family, Lilli. They spend so long in business meetings they have forgotten how to unwind. Their father was the same.”
I’m surprised when she links her arm in mine and says sweetly, “Don’t let them intimidate you. They don’t even realize they are doing it.”
We walk through impressive rooms that wouldn’t look out of place among royal residences and it strikes me how much money this family must have. I suppose the jet, the apartment and the house in London should have prepared me for that, but I didn’t really believe they lived like kings.
They do.
Better than kings, and I’m overawed with it all.
Grace says curiously, “Mikhail hasn’t told us how you met.”
I don’t even falter as I shrug and say, “He abducted me at a protest rally just before I tried to shoot a man in the balls.”
Grace stops and laughs out loud, and it makes me giggle because why on earth did I tell her that? I must be on self-destruct mode and she grins. “Now I understand why he chose you, Lilli. You are perfect for one another.”
She takes my arm again and we carry on walking. “So, this man. What did he do?”
“He assaulted my sister, degraded her, and whipped her like a dog. She couldn’t live with what happened and took her own life.”
Grace stops and the tears in her eyes match my own as she pulls me into her arms and whispers, “I’m so sorry, Lilli. I wish my son hadn’t stopped you. I would have done the same.”
I’m grateful for the sympathy and pulling back, say sadly. “He probably did me a favor, anyway. I would have been caught and in a different kind of prison by now.”
“Is he still keeping you against your will?” Grace’s question is sharp, and I shake my head.
“No.” I smile. “We worked it out. He told me I was free to go and offered me the option to stay on my own terms this time.”
