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Then, when he’d returned, I’d been so grateful to see someone who I thought had died, that I hadn’t questioned his behavior. By the time I realized he was unhinged, I was in too deep, and neither him nor Katarina were letting me go.
But Ricky didn’t know any of that. He was a sweet kid who only saw me as someone in a toxic relationship.
“Thanks for the advice,” I said. “You should take it.”
Ricky said nothing as I turned to leave. I hoped that this was the last time I’d ever be in this warehouse.
Walking out into the cool night air, I felt as though a weight was off of my chest. There was still so much wrong, and even more things that could go wrong, but having documentation meant that there was a certain level of freedom now afforded to me.
Freedom that I’d given up in order to get these papers because in reality, it would have taken me years to afford these things without the money that Ezra gave me.
Standing on the sidewalk, under a streetlamp, I felt an overwhelming urge to run. I had a passport now, and I could. Ezra would never find me. I’d managed to run from the Bratva, and I was much less worried about Ezra Wright.
But I couldn’t do that. Ezra had written me a check in good faith. He’d explained to me why he wanted to get married, which I knew was a painful story for him. He’d shared a lot with me, and the only thing he asked in return was the thing that I’d agreed to.
I’d help him to fix his image. I’d smile at work functions and make polite small talk. I’d use every skill that my father had taught me in order to win Ezra the role of mayor. The idea brought a smile to my face.
My father had thought my only value was in what I could do for a husband. Now, he was going to realize just how right he was. He’d help take my life from me, so I was going to use every trick I knew to make sure that Ezra became mayor of Manhattan, and then, I was going to smile as he brought down my father.
* * *
I tried my best not to fidget as I waited for the elevator. Ezra and I had agreed to meet at his place the next morning to discuss some of the “finer points” of this arrangement. He’d also asked me to bring some documentation, which is why I’d made my late-night trip.
But after a night of tossing and turning, I was starting to second guess what I was agreeing to. When I’d left Ezra’s place last night, I’d assumed I would be able to control this situation enough that I wouldn’t have to worry about my family. I’d created a list of demands in my mind that I thought would keep me safe from exposure. But last night, I realized how ridiculous all of those things were, and reality began to set in.
I believed in what Ezra wanted, and I knew that it was likely the only way I was ever going to make amends for the things I’d helped do when I’d unknowingly unleashed Nikolai onto the city. But now that I’d had time to think, I was realizing that I was putting my own life on the line by agreeing to this.
The elevator dinged, and I just stood there, outside of it. My legs weren’t capable of moving.
“Miss?” a male voice asked. I looked behind me at the older doorman. “Are you alright?”
I felt my hands shaking, so I gripped them together, and shook my head. “I’m fine,” I said. I hated how my voice sounded—too high pitched and fake.
The doorman looked at me, concern in his eyes. The elevator doors closed with a slight ding, and I felt the breath leave my body in a whoosh. Somehow, being able to think for a minute, made my heart rate slow down.
“Can I help you with something?” he asked.
I turned to look at him. He was an older gentleman with kind, dark eyes, and tufts of curly white hair. From the way he looked at me, I knew he was wondering who the hell I was here to see. After all, I was dressed in worn jeans and a sweater that was unraveling at the sleeve.
I’d planned to spend some of the money that Ezra gave me to get some new clothing, but I hadn’t had the time.
“Miss?” the doorman asked, breaking through my thoughts.
“Sorry,” I said, shaking my head. “I was lost in thought.” More like lost in panic. My mind couldn’t seem to work properly. Between the fact that I’d barely slept last night, and what I agreed to, my brain clearly wasn’t working properly.
“Who are you here to see?” he asked once more. “Maybe I can ask them to come down and meet you.”
He gave me a kind smile, but I knew that his offer was to protect his job. I didn’t appear to belong in his building, and he probably wanted to make sure that I wasn’t some crazy stalker or homeless person looking to squat.
I opened my mouth to put his worries at ease, but before I could say anything, the elevator dinged, and Ezra stepped out. “Annie,” he said, walking toward me. “There you are.”
“Mr. Wright,” the doorman’s voice was full of relief.
Ezra came towards me and put an arm around my shoulder’s. He smelled like expensive cologne, and the sweater he was wearing felt warm and soft against my skin. “I was worried when you weren’t at the door. I’ve never known you to be late.”
I opened my mouth to remind him that he barely knew me but closed my mouth quickly as I remembered that this was the start of the charade that we were going to be putting on, and I should probably start getting used to it.
“Thank you,” I told the doorman.
