AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He peeks up over the edge of his phone. “August seventh,” he answers after a moment.
A chill races down my spine. I reallyhavebeen down here for a long time, but that’s not what upsets me the most. August seventh is…
“It’s my birthday,” I mumble quietly to myself. The confession almost makes me cry, a sudden wave of homesickness threatening to pull me under.
I think about my siblings at home. My twin sister, Charlotte, and my little brother, Frederick. I think about Mom and Dad, all my aunts and uncles and cousins. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always spent my birthday with them, surrounded by their love, laughter, and smiles.
I worry about Charlotte, specifically. She’s my best friend, my closest confidant. We came into the world together, and I fully expect to leave it with her, too. This is the first birthday I’ve been apart from her, and I’ve never been more scared. Not for me, but for her.
Dad raised me to take over the Antonov Bratva one day, so I grew to be tough and resilient. Charlotte, while she could definitely keep up, was always more sensitive. A worrywart. I can’t imagine what’s going through her head right now. I’d bet a pretty penny she misses me more than anyone else right now.
An errant tear slips down my cheek. I fight against the burning sensation in my nose, failing to hide a sniffle. Before I know it, the floodgates are open. I can’t help it. Dad taught me to be strong, but there’s only so much a person can take. Given my circumstances, it’s frankly a miracle I haven’t cried at all until this point—and now there’s no stopping it.
Damien shifts in his folding chair, watching me with obvious discomfort. “I’m sorry, Ms. Antonova. Can I get you something? A tissue, or…”
I manage a small, albeit shaky smile. Damien isn’t like his brothers. He’s softer. Has a heart. It makes me wonder how a nice guy like him got roped into Andrei’s business. “I just want to be alone,” I mumble.
“The Boss said not to let you out of our sight—”
“Please?” I ask. “Just… for a couple of minutes. You can stand right outside the door.” I raise my wrists to show off the handcuffs and chain. “I’m obviously not going anywhere. A little breathing room, that’s all I ask. Consider it a birthday gift to me.”
Damien works his jaw, obviously contemplating whether I’m being truthful, or if this is some sort of manipulation tactic. Perhaps he’s considering the possibility of Andrei’s wrath. I don’t blame him for wanting to be careful, though it’d be difficult for me to prove I’m being honest.
Blessedly, Damien gets up from his chair with a short nod before heading out the door. Once he’s out of sight, I allow myself the luxury of a good, hard cry.
I can’t remember the last time I let it all go. The gravity of the situation has finally hit me. I’m alone, I’m afraid, and I don’t know when the hell I’m going to get out of here. It’s all starting to feel overwhelmingly hopeless, until—
The Boss steps in.
Andrei Nicolaevich.
I sit up, tucking my knees to my chest as I quickly wipe my eyes and nose dry.Dammit it all!Curse my rotten luck. Of all the people who could have walked in, it just had to behim.
I know for a fact he’s been avoiding me ever since I teased him to the point of a hard-on. My only goal was to irritate him. I didn’t expect him to be turned on, though wasn’t I in the same damn boat?
Still, there’s no denying the electricity between us. Maybe Andrei’s smart for avoiding me. Because now that he’s here, it’s like all the air has rushed out of the room, leaving everything hotter and brighter than before. I get lost in the way he smells, enticed by the darkness in his eyes. Of all the men in Russia who could have chosen to kidnap me, did he have to be so fucking sexy?
“What?” I snap when he stands there for a little too long.
“I hear it’s your birthday.”
I glare up at him. “So?”
It’s rare to see Andrei look so… guilty. He’s chewing on the inside of his cheek and fiddling with his lighter—on and off, on and off. His stormy eyes make it next to impossible to tell what he’s thinking.
“What do you want?” he asks finally.
“My freedom,” I answer, jumping at the chance. Probably a long shot.
Andrei sighs. “Anything but that, princess.”
I arch a brow, curious. “You want to give me a birthday present?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I don’t give a shit about your birthday.”
“Then why are you offering?”
“For your good behavior. You’ve been eating your meals, and you haven’t made another escape attempt. Say what you will about me, but I appreciate your compliance. So, tell me what you want.”
