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“Between me and you, he’s entertaining a lady,” she says with a smile. “He’s not done that since . . . well, it doesn’t matter. But maybe he’s finally moving forward, and who knows, we might see that smile return.”
I frown. I want to scream at her to make her see none of this is normal. He’s on a fucking date while I’m locked in his house against my will. She’s acting like she wants me to respond to her gossip with the same happiness she’s feeling. Like we’re all friends who’re worried about him. And there’s a small part of me that’s jealous. How the fuck can I be jealous he’s dating a woman when I don’t even know the man and he’s kidnapped me?
Anger begins to replace my upset. “Actually, Maria, I will take that hot chocolate.”
Once she’s gone, I pace the room. I know my plan is going to go wrong, but I’m desperate. When she returns, I rush over as she’s coming through the door. “I’ll get it,” I tell her, reaching for the cup. She smiles gratefully as I take it in one hand, then I use my other hand to grab her wrist around the same time I throw the hot chocolate across the room. She’s so focused on that, she doesn’t realise what I’m doing as I tug her into the room and twist us so I’m in the doorway. “I’m so sorry, Maria,” I say as I slam the door shut. I press the lock key on the keypad and it lights up red.
There’s nobody in the hallway, but I still creep along like someone’s about to pop out and grab me. I reach the top of the stairs and peer over the banister to the hall below. It’s empty, and I can see the front door from here. That’s my goal as I take each step, careful not to make a sound.
At the bottom of the stairs, I glance towards the kitchen. The door is open, but I don’t see anyone, so I move closer to the exit. Hearing Ivan’s voice, I freeze and press myself to the wall. He’s in the living room, and then I hear a woman’s voice. She laughs and it angers me more. I begin to wonder if he’s luring her in. What if she ends up trapped here like me?
I reach for the door handle and slowly twist, holding my breath. My heart is pounding in my chest and sweat begins to bead on my forehead. I tug, but the door doesn’t budge. I angle my body until I’m facing the door and pull again. It’s locked. I do a silent scream, looking around helplessly for a key, but there’s nothing.
I take a calming breath and go to the door opposite where I’m standing. I push lightly and it opens into a library. Slipping inside, I head straight for the window. I try to slide it up, but again, it doesn’t budge.This damn place is a prison.
IVAN
It’s my first date since Lara. I’ve known Angelina for years. Her father is also Bratva, as is her brother.
We’ve had dinner, and now, we’re enjoying a glass of wine in the lounge. Maria was supposed to bring us coffee, but she seems to have disappeared. Angelina places her empty wine glass on the table. “I should go. I’ve had a lovely evening, Ivan.”
I smile tightly and stand, holding out my hand. She takes it, and I lead her to the door. “Me too,” I lie.
I thought after my night with Grace, I could try to move forward. The hard part was done, but all I’ve done all evening is think of Grace. Not Lara . . . Grace! And then she decides to throw a tantrum halfway through, distracting me more.
I walk Angelina down the steps to her waiting car, kissing her on each cheek and opening the passenger door for her to slide in. I head back up the steps, turning at the top to watch as the car drives away. Then, out the corner of my eye, I see Grace.
It takes me a second to get my brain around the fact she’s creeping along the steps behind me, heading for the large, planted bush. She’s frozen in fear, but because of my slow reaction, she must see an opportunity, and before I can say anything, she screams and takes off down the steps.
I frown, watching her run across the sharp stones in bare feet. I place two fingers in my mouth and whistle for one of my men to intercept. One of my security dogs bolts across to her, snarling and baring his teeth. His handler whistles and the dog sits, keeping Grace rooted to the spot. “If you run, he’ll take you down,” I explain as I saunter down the steps towards her. She’s stiff and her hands are balled into tight fists of anger. I smirk. “I’m hoping for your sake that you didn’t hurt anyone to make it this far.”
The handler clips a leash onto the dog right as I reach Grace. I take her by the hair, and she winces. “Explain why you’re here, Grace,” I whisper in her ear.
GRACE
My heart hammers in my chest as he waits for a reply. When he doesn’t get one, he twists me to face him. “What exactly was the plan?” I cautiously eye the dog, who’s still growling and baring his teeth, like he wants to eat me.
“Fuck you,” I hiss.
He laughs. “We’re back to that?”
“Just let me go,” I murmur, and a frustrated sob slips out. “Please. I won’t tell anyone about any of this. I don’t have anyone to tell.”
“You’re not leaving, Grace,” he tells me, and it sounds so final, I sob harder.
“You’re going to keep me here forever?” I wail. “Why?”
He grins. It’s cold and cruel. “I need a son, and you’re going to give me that.”
I stare wide-eyed, waiting for him to laugh and tell me he’s kidding. When he doesn’t, I break into high-pitched, hysterical laughter. “Good one.”
He releases my hair, reaching for my wrist instead, but I snatch it away. “Let’s get back inside.”
“You’re not serious?”
“Deadly.” He reaches for me again, this time catching me by the arm. He pulls me towards the house.
“Ivan, listen to yourself. That’s crazy talk.” He leads me through the hall and into an office.
