AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What was that?” he asks, trying to take the bag.
“Paracetamol,” I snap, pulling it against my chest. “I get cramps.” I hand over his card and type in the pin number. “See, all done.”
I go straight to my room and stuff the Femidoms at the bottom of my rucksack. Then I hide that in the bottom of the wardrobe. I take two from the pack and hide those in the bathroom. The police didn’t pull us over like I’d hoped, but when I glance out the window, I spot two police cars outside the gates and my heart lifts. I watch as the gates slide open and Ivan meets them on the driveway. He shakes hands and leads them inside.
I take an excited breath and head downstairs, right into Maxim’s arms. He grins, turning me into the kitchen. “What have you done?” he asks, smirking.
“Nothing. Why?”
“Strange that the police are here, don’t you think?”
“They are?” I ask, sounding surprised. “Why?”
“Reports of a woman being taken against her will, apparently. She described our vehicles.”
I feel a blush creep over my cheeks. “Where’s Ivan?”
“Speaking to them in the office.”
“Oh, here he is,” I say, looking past Maxim. I wait for him to turn before darting around him and rushing for the office. I shove the door so hard, it slams against the wall, causing everyone inside to turn around in surprise.
“I’m here,” I say, breathless from panic. “It’s me.”
The four police officers smile, then one moves to close the door behind me. “Grace?” he asks, and I nod. “You were the one who asked the shop assistant to call?” I nod again, avoiding Ivan’s stare.
“Please, help me. I’m not safe here.”
He pulls me to him, tucking me under his arm, and I frown in confusion. “She’s a stunner, Ivan,” he says, his hand finding my arse and squeezing.
Hope leaves me as I slump against him. I’m so exhausted, and now, I’ve blown it. Ivan’s eyes pierce my own. He’s angry but containing it. “She is.”
“Are you sure there’s no price?” he asks, tugging my head back by my hair and staring into my face. “We could pay over the odds.”
“Sorry, not right now. Maybe in a year’s time?” He pushes me towards Ivan, who catches me and shoves me into the chair. “When I’m finished with her.”
The police officers shake hands with Ivan, and he shows them out. I stay in the chair. There’s no point in trying to run—there’s no one who can help me. I cry out in frustration, waiting for Ivan to return.
CHAPTER TEN
IVAN
I’m shaking with anger. I was stupid to trust her. Pacing the hall, I come to a stop when Maxim appears. “Now, she’s bringing the police to your door? In all the years, that’s never happened,” he says, shaking his head.
“I’ll deal with her,” I snap.
“Don’t let her get into your head, Ivan. She’ll tell you what you want to hear and slit your throat in your sleep. She cannot be trusted. She proved that today.”
I growl, storming into my office and slamming the door. Grace jumps in fright. “You,” I hiss, marching to her and pulling her to stand. “You defied me after everything.”
“I’m sorry,” she cries.
“I took you to stand at your ex’s graveside. I watched you weep for him.” I release her, pushing her back into the seat. “I trusted you.”
“I told you I’d run given half a chance.”
I nod, glaring at her. “Yes, you did, Grace. You did. Which is why you’ll never get the chance again.”
I leave the room, telling Alek to stand guard at the door. I take the stairs two at a time and go into Lara’s room. Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes as her faint scent fills my senses. I pull a suitcase from the top of her wardrobe and open it. I stare at the many sex toys before me and reach for the chains. They’re heavy, and the padlocks are attached with their keys. I take them, leaving the case on the bed and going back downstairs.
