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Finally, Roman picked out a wedding gown.
“This is a brilliant choice,” the saleswoman beamed at him. “It’s made of chiffon and silk. The flow of the skirt with the high slit will give her belly room to breathe. What I love about it is the illusion neckline made of Swarovski crystals.”
“I say YES!” Roman screeched to the top of his lungs.
I chuckled, “Sold. Bag it up. We’ll be paying cash.”
The manager gasped. “Sir, you do realize this dress is ten thousand dollars, yes?”
After I holstered my gun, I casually reached into my jacket and pulled out two pristine $10,000 wads from the interior pocket. I gently tossed both the stacks at her.
She stared at the money in shock.
“I promise it’s real.” When she looked up at me, I winked at her. “I’m sure you didn’t make enough commission for this beauty. Is there enough in change for a tip, to make up for interrupting your day?”
With eyes glossy from emotion, the manager smiled sadly and nodded. “Thank you, truly, for your generosity. You are…a godsend. Does the bride need shoes too?”
Roman nodded. “She’s a size nine.”
“Perfect.”
As she escorted us downstairs, I was again reminded that many of us in this life are disadvantaged in some way, fighting personal battles or trying to overcome external hardships. I was not a good man. I knew this. But it was nice to help when I could.
We left with everything I needed to give my littlemalishkathe best wedding she could ever hope for, considering the circumstances. One part of me hated that I would have to force her into the marriage, but this was the best way to protect her and my heir. And ultimately, she was mine to take. Take her from her home, take her body as I pleased, and take her in matrimony.
SLOANE
Sloane
I shot up in bed with a horrified gasp, clasping at my chest as if to hold back my heart from leaping out my chest. I frantically searched my surroundings, the remnants of my dream lingering in my psyche like spoiled milk. While the details were foggy, the fear was near overwhelming. It tasted bitter. And I was nauseated by it.
A cool breeze brushed over my heated skin. I looked over at the opened patio doors. The sun, lingering just above the horizon, told me it was late afternoon. I had been napping. My usual after-lunch rest.
I breathed a sigh of relief. I was safe… well, relatively safe. I was still a prisoner, after all.
I was not surprised by the nightmare. I was plagued by them. I’d slept terribly since my father had died, and I had hardly slept at all since I was eighteen. I could not risk going into a deep slumber while a target for the club. They waited for opportunities like that. Like a pack of wild hyenas, they reveled in weakness. The easier the prey, the better.
Strange that my best sleep I had in years was in the care of my kidnapper. When I was in his arms, the nightmares could not touch me. True, I was prey to Alexie as well, but he hunted like an apex predator. There was some honor in that.
As if summoning him with my thoughts, Alexie walked into the bedroom wearing a fancy suit.
“You look nice.” My breathy voice embarrassed me. “What’s the occasion?”
“I brought you a gift,” Alexie said.
My eyes locked on the gigantic gift box he had in his arms. I was equal parts excited and wary. Alexie was…unpredictable.
“Why don’t you take a shower?” Alexie suggested as he set the large box on his bed.
My gaze narrowed.
“Please. Be a good girl and do this for me.”
He clearly wanted me to play by his rules, and since he had asked so nicely...
With a small smile and an exaggerated roll of my eyes, I left the bed. I went to walk past him, but he suddenly grabbed my arm and spun me into him.
Giggling, I sank into his embrace as he kissed the daylights out of me. Sometimes I loved how he’d consumed my senses.
