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It’s definitely a gamble on my part, but I can tell by the way Violetta’s face blanks and her mouth goes slack that my words have had an effect on her. I probably don’t have her completely convinced, but all I need to do is plant a single seed of doubt. The rest, she’ll take care of on her own.
Konstantin turns at the door. “Violetta, dear friend, are you coming?”
With a huff, she grips me by the upper arm and forces me to stand, shoving me toward the exit.
My new guard, Jake, meets me in the hall. He’s quick to slap a pair of handcuffs on my wrists before leading me back to my room. I’m not allowed to be alone with the computer. They all know what I’ll likely achieve with a steady internet connection and a few minutes spent unsupervised.
I’m grateful when I’m all but thrown back into my room. Isolated. I can finally breathe. There are cameras in all four corners, but at least I have a soft bed and view. Before he leaves, Jake slides a tray of food beneath the gap of my door. A healthy mix of greens, a small steak for protein, and a glass of milk. Unlike before, I’m not at risk of starving to death.
Sullenly, I take my food and make my way over to the window, setting everything down on the windowsill. I have a view of the mountains and of tall evergreen pines. I’m not sure where we are. I chew slowly. The meat is tough and under seasoned. I’m not exactly at the Ritz, but would it kill them to give me a bit of salt?
It would be easy to give up now. Resign myself to my uncle’s servitude, but my anger won’t let me rest. At this point, my fury and hatred are the only things keeping me going. I don’t have a plan yet. I don’t know how I’m going to escape, but Iwill. For now, I need to bide my time. Think. Keep my eyes open and stay on my toes.
My luck has to turn eventually, and when it does…
The Trinity won’t know what hit them.
Chapter 33
Dani
“What is this place?” Tabitha asks as I pull into the driveway. “What are we doing here, sis?”
It’s a perfectly fair question. I’m having trouble wrapping my mind around the size of this…house? Initial reports told me the Antonovs were always well-to-do, but this place looks like a freaking castle.
The villa itself is located at the northernmost tip of Long Island, situated by the sea. It’s quiet out here. Relaxing and out of the way—which is exactly why I’ve decided to bring Tabitha here to keep her safe. If the feeling in my gut is correct, things are about to get a whole lot more chaotic, and I need to make sure my little sister is far enough away that she won’t be caught in the crossfire.
I throw the car in park just as Mikhail Antonov opens the front door, standing atop the steps as he looks at Tabitha and me. Luka looks so much like him, save for the ever-present furrow of his brows. Where Luka has a cocky, self-righteous energy to him, Mikhail is confident in a different way. He is tall and proud andstill, a tall sentry surveying his kingdom.
“How was the drive?” he asks.
I circle around the front of the car and retrieve Tabitha’s wheelchair from the trunk. I unfold it, clicking all the mechanisms into place, before helping her slide into her seat. “It was fine,” I answer.
“You weren’t followed?”
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
I give him a pointed look. “Don’t forget who I am, Antonov. I’m better trained than most when it comes to losing a tail.”
Tabitha glances between us, her confusion evident. “Um… So who’s this guy?”
Mikhail arches a brow. “You haven’t even told her what’s going on?”
I set my jaw. “I was getting to it.”
My sister groans. “Somebody better start giving me answers or I’m going to start a riot.”
With a heavy sigh, I say, “Do you remember the man I was on a date with a while ago? Luka?”
A flash of recognition sparks in her eyes. “Uh… vaguely.”
“Well… when I disappeared, I wasn’t alone. He was kidnapped along with me.”
Tabitha frowns. “Oh. Why didn’t you tell me sooner? Does your boss know?”
“Yes, he does. I didn’t tell you because it’s all technically classified. You know, investigation pending?”
