I snort, but he did come all the way back to Boston to check on me.
Unless he’s just planning to kidnap and ransom me a second time…
Shit.
Growing up the way I did has messed with my head. Then again, he did help kidnap me, and despite being born into organized crime, that was a first for me.
“Are you going to kidnap me again?” I ask, studying his face.
“I hadn’t planned on it,” he says in a low, gravelly tone. “If you need me to toss you over my shoulder and get you out of here, I’m game.”
“Is that an option?” I ask, almost afraid to get my hopes up.
“Do you want it to be?” His pointy canines dig into his lower lip as his eyebrows rise.
“I mean…” My shoulders bounce. “Yeah, I wish I could get out of here, but I also know my family will hunt me down if I try to leave.”
“Eh, they could try.” His hand tightens on my backside, and he brings the other to brush over my cheek. “I’m not planning to go back to Jacksonville, at least not for a while. Traveling alone is boring. We could give it a go and see how things work out.”
The loud, echoing sound of someone banging on my door makes me jump. “We’re leaving in five minutes,” one of the twins calls through my closed door.
My eyes widen, and I swallow thickly.
“You hear me, Vanessa?”
“Yeah, I’ll be ready,” I say, projecting my voice so they’ll be able to hear. Someone walking in right now would be disastrous. Focusing back on Magnum, I whisper, “I have my engagement party tonight, but I’ll be coming back here afterward. Can you get back in later tonight? Or stay and wait for me?”
“You’re serious?”
I nod. “The man they’re trying to sell me to has had three wives. All of them have died under unusual circumstances. I’ll do anything I can to keep myself from being the fourth.”
“Jesus,” he mutters. “I remember you saying something about that. I have a few things to take care of, but I’ll stop back by in the wee hours of the morning. You’ll need to pack light.”
“I’ll leave with the clothes on my back if we can shop as we go.”
“Can’t use credit cards, princess. They’re too easy to track,” he says, but his tone isn’t condescending. It’s just very matter-of-fact.
A bright smile crosses my face. “I know, but I’ll need that bag space for the cash I plan to bring.”
“You’re going to be a fun partner in crime.” His head dips, and he pushes his thick lips to mine.
My nostrils flare, breathing in his lemon and honey scent as he captures my lower lip between his teeth. The light scrape makes me shiver, but he pulls away all too fast.
My nerves are shot as we walk into the warehouse. The party is taking place at the same location where the O’Connor brothers had their engagement party and claiming ceremony.
There are people everywhere, but I beeline for the first server I spot with alcohol on their tray.
I’m so panicky that I’m afraid I’m going to give away that there’s something more going on. Grabbing a glass of champagne, I take a long swig. I will be utterly heartbroken if Magnum doesn’t come back for me, and at the same time, I’m scared that he could be caught. That, or we could be spotted on our way off the property.
Grigoryan is nowhere to be seen, and that’s a small gift considering how frazzled I am. My brothers keep their eyes on me at all times, but they give me space. They probably don’t want to have to listen to me bitch and complain.
I should give them hell, just to keep up the ruse.
No one will believe that I’ve simply accepted my fate.
I need tonight to go smoothly so I can make it home and disappear with Magnum. Under normal circumstances, it might seem crazy to contemplate running off with a man who technically kidnapped me, but I’d take my chances with him over Grigoryan any day of the week.
Chapter Seven
