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For every minute that she wasn’t here, Elia might as well have spat on my face. At least that would have been easier for me to accept.
When the long hand inched past the curling number four on the clock, a sudden movement at the back of the hall caught my eye.Fucking finally!
I was inches from tearing down the aisle to seize that damn woman and drag her back here myself when Boris reappeared with one of the bridesmaids hurrying behind him. The poor girl was someone Uncle Misha had arranged to play the convincing part.
The presence of Lana Keller was already problematic enough. There was no way in hell Uncle Misha would allow any Tarallo associates—male or female—anywherenearthis wedding.
As the two walked down the opposite side of the guest rows, murmurs of confusion picked up volume. I leaned in as Boris neared, and my eyes glanced suspiciously at the bridesmaid as she stopped beside him.
“Elia Tarallo is gone,” Boris whispered into my ear.
My fingers flinched before curling slowly into fists. I glanced back at the bridesmaid, and she visibly shrank at my gaze.
“Where?” My voice was cold, and the bridesmaid’s breath quickened.
“I overheard her t-talking to her maid of honor. Something about…New York? Please. I don’t know anything else. That’s just what I heard.”
So, it’s going to be like that,I thought savagely.
I nodded calmly and turned to face the crowd.
“If I can have everyone’s attention!”
The crowd hushed as I motioned to Boris to fetch the car.He was already walking out when I dismissed the bridesmaid.
“I’m afraid the wedding will be postponed for just a little while. I apologize for the inconvenience and encourage everyone to get started on lunch. I will return shortly with my lovely wife-to-be.”
I followed after Boris as soon as I finished speaking, ignoring the scandalous whispers that took flight in hushed conversation. I kept myself cool and controlled. Boris flashed me a look, but I said nothing as I met him at the car. The engine had already roared to life and was ready to go. Boris tossed me the key, and I caught it easily in the air as we both swung into our seats.
I kicked the car into high gear and the tires shrieked as we reversed, then tore into the street. Rage kept me silent as I took the side roads, ignoring the GPS suggestions for the fastest arrival to O’Hare International Airport.
You can run, Elia Tarallo.I gripped the wheel.But once I get my hands on you, I’m going to make you beg.
Chapter Eight
Elia
I was staring out the rear-view mirror when I felt a sudden slap on my wrist, forcibly yanking my fingers from my mouth. I glanced down in surprise and found Lana giving me a quick glare before returning her eyes to the road.
“Stop biting those nails,” she said. I curled my fingers over my lap and settled in my seat. “You have any idea how hard the poor manicurist worked?”
“I can’t help it,” I said. Before Lana could scold me, I groaned and leaned forward, trying to peek at the adjacent street’s traffic light to see if it would turn yellow any time soon.
Lana shook her head. “Your father is going to kill you, assuming we don’t get killed before we arrive.”
“I don’t care,” I answered, clenching my hands together as Lana drove down the freeway toward O’Hare.
Aleksey and his goons might try and come after me, but if I could get on that plane, it was going to make it a hell of a lot harder for them to find me.
Lana sighed. “This is crazy, Elia. Not that I don’t blame you. I just wish we had more time to come up with a better plan than just running and not looking back.”
“Look, you’re the one who asked me what I wanted,” I told her, my heart racing. “And for better or worse, you’re coming along with me.”
My only regret was that I couldn’t see my father’s reaction when he realized I wasn’t doing his bidding. Or Aleksey’s.
“How much farther are we from the airport?” I asked.
Lana didn’t answer, shaking her head before clicking her tongue on her teeth.
