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And I'll turn my mind to other things, like the destruction of my brother.
CHAPTER 7
Aurora
For the third time today,a sharp knock at the door sets my heart racing. I steel myself, expecting Hadria's intimidating presence. But when the door swings open, it reveals a different woman—the blonde who helped abduct me earlier today.
She saunters into the room, brown eyes sliding over me as a smirk tugs at her lips. She's slender but muscular and moves with grace, exuding the same dangerous energy as Hadria.
I can see why they're friends.
"Well, aren't you just a golden goddamn sunbeam," she drawls, voice dripping with amusement. "All fresh-faced, pink-cheeked, doe-eyed. I can see why the Boss has taken such an interest in you, little Suzy Sunshine."
A chill runs through me at her words. She paces in front of me slowly, assessing me like a lioness toying with cornered prey. Every instinct screams to flee from this woman, but I won't back down. I force myself to meet her gaze steadily.
It only seems to amuse her more. With a laugh, she turns and stalks from the room, pausing only to throw over her shoulder: "Follow me."
I scurry after her.
What else can I do?
We pass through several identical hallways until I have no idea where I am, and then we enter a large, open room, one full wall of which is lined with bookshelves stuffed with books. At the very end of the room is a huge fireplace, just as tall as I am, but it's not currently lit. In the middle of the room is a long, heavy table, seats clustered around it, and at the head of it, slightly raised up, is a huge, ornate wooden chair, padded with leather.
The rest of this house might be a cathedral to modernity, but this room is different. Almost medieval in feel.
"Welcome to the war room, Suzy," the blonde says. "Take a seat. Over there—" She points to a set of leather sofas over in one corner, near what looks like a wet bar. The sofas are facing each other across a coffee table, and compared to the enormous table in the middle of the room, it's practically cozy.
I sit where indicated, straight-backed, perched on the edge of the seat. And then, to my surprise, Hadria enters the room from a concealed side door, dressed casually in black jeans and a charcoal sweater cut low enough to suggest that she wears nothing else underneath. She's still imposing, despite the change in attire. Her porcelain complexion glows against the dim lighting around us, creating an ethereal effect.
"Leave us," she says flatly to the blonde woman. Without argument, the blonde vanishes. Alone now with Hadria, my nerves jump wildly.
Is this when she kills me?
But she merely goes to the wet bar and brings over two tumblers and a bottle of whiskey to the coffee table. She pours generously into both glasses before handing me one. "Drink," she instructs.
I've never had whiskey before. I've never hadanyalcohol before, for that matter. Is she…trying to get me drunk?
On the other hand, given the circumstances, perhaps a bit of that liquid courage I hear people talking about might help.
I raise the glass to my lips and swallow. Fire explodes in my throat, burning down my esophagus until it hits my empty stomach. I double over, coughing harshly.
"Easy," Hadria warns. "It'll hit harder if you haven't eaten anything recently."
Embarrassed, I nod and sip slower this time. The warmth spreads throughout my body, relaxing muscles previously coiled tight with fear. Maybe this isn't such a bad idea after all...
Hadria sips her drink calmly, watching me closely over the rim of her glass. Those piercing gray eyes won't leave mine. Unnerved, I shift in my seat, averting my gaze toward the bookcases lining the walls. Thick volumes bound in rich leather stand sentinel along every available surface. There are no fun-looking paperbacks or contemporary fiction.
"Aurora," Hadria begins softly, setting her glass aside. Instantly, all my attention focuses upon her. "There are things you need to understand about what happened today. About why you ended up here, rather than married to my brother. And I have some questions for you."
I swallow nervously, fighting the urge to run away screaming. Instead, I force myself to nod, determined not to show any sign of weakness. At least not until I figure out whether she plans to kill me or let me go free.
"Your father owed me money," she continues matter-of-factly. "Several years ago he offered you as payment. Said he'd give you to me so that you could work to pay off his debt. Work in the house and…in other ways."
Bile rises in my throat at these words. "I know. I was achild," I whisper harshly.
"Yes. And that is why I refused." Before I can respond further, Hadria holds up a hand. "In any case, your mother intervened. She gave me her second-most prized possession in lieu of her first."
"The sapphire and diamond tiara," I say.
