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“Give me the address. I’ll send my men to get your things. You can go to the wedding from here.”
I shake my head fast. “No. I can’t have your men touching my stuff. I’d rather pack it myself.”
He seems to consider that, then concedes. “Fine. My men will accompany you to the hotel.”
“I can go alone—”
“No.” He cuts me off before I can finish the sentence. “Come down for breakfast.”
“I’d rather get my stuff first,” I say quickly. “I’m all sticky and I need a shower. I need my things for that.”
He exhales through his nose. “Fine. I’ll go get your dress.” He disappears out the door.
Andrei returns a few minutes later holding my dress, neatly folded. I dress quickly in the bathroom. When I step out, he’s waiting. Without a word, he leads me downstairs and into the back of a black SUV.
Two huge, terrifying-looking men sit in the front seats. They don’t speak. The car is completely silent as we pull away from the massive house.
I stare out the window, heart pounding. It’s going to be really hard to run from these men. They look like they could snap me in half without breaking a sweat.
We arrive at my hotel, and the two men escort me all the way to my room, only stopping outside the door.
I slip inside, close the door, and lean against it for a second, trying to think. I need a plan. I change quickly into jeans and a simple shirt, then stuff my passport and Anya’s passport into my handbag.
I take a deep breath and step back out to call the men to come help me with the bags.
“Oh, wait,” I call out, the moment we get to the car. “I forgot something upstairs. I’ll be right back.”
They turn, clearly about to follow me.
“I just need to grab it quickly,” I say, already walking backward. “It’ll take two seconds.”
Before they can argue, I spin around and hurry back inside, then break into a run.
My heels pound against the floor as I dart across the lobby, and slip behind a large column near the lounge area, crouching low and holding my breath.
Seconds later, the men rush back inside. They head straight for the elevators.
The second the doors close, I sprint out the front entrance and straight toward the first taxi idling at the curb.
I yank the door open, practically throwing myself into the backseat, rattling off Mabel's mom's address.
The moment we arrive, Anya comes running out the front door with a huge smile, Mabel right behind her.
“Mommy!” Anya launches herself into my arms. I hug her tight, breathing her in.
“Go upstairs and bring your bag, baby,” I tell her gently. “We’re leaving soon.”
Anya nods and runs back inside.
Mabel’s eyes are wide with worry. “What’s going on?”
I swallow hard. “We need to head back to New Jersey right now. I’m so sorry, Mabel… I’m going to miss your wedding.” Tears well in my eyes at the thought.
She doesn’t hesitate. “It’s okay. Do what you need to do. Your safety and Anya’s come first.”
“The cab is waiting,” I say, glancing nervously over my shoulder.
Mabel rushes inside to help Anya with her things. When they come back out, we hug tightly.
