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I shrug. “No idea. Thought I’d help you get ready. Now go back to sleep.”
She closes her eye and obeys for once in her life.
I toss the wipe and use the bathroom, then take my laptop into the office outside this door so I don’t wake her.
I have work to do.
Tonight was only step one.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Aria
I haveno idea what time it is when I wake, but the bed is empty. It feels like the middle of the night, inky black still outside the window.
Mikhail is nowhere to be found. My mouth feels dry and my stomach aches. I have a vague memory of him offering me food, but I was exhausted and just wanted to sleep.
I open one eye and look about the room. I see his cell phone plugged in on a nearby table, and a second phone beside his with a little note beside it. His script is firm and bold, in slanted lines with no frills or whimsy.
Of course.
Aria,
This is your new phone, monitored by me.
All online access, including social media, is restricted and recorded.
You may reach out to your friends — women only. They’ll know you’ve been married by now. Make up whatever story you need to.
You do not talk to men other than my brothers without my express approval.
You have a credit card under your name and may buy whatever you want, but if I buy something for you, I expect you to wear it.
You will post nothing or tell anyone about our life or my family’s. I expect loyalty. In return, your needs will be provided for.
You will only socialize with people I approve of.
There will be no working outside the home. There is no need, and I will not have you unnecessarily in danger. You will, however, be asked to work for me. We need your skills. You will be well compensated.
We’ll discuss what you are doing and when. You will not be allowed outside of the home or to travel without my express permission.
You know what will happen if you disobey any of these rules.
—M
Some of this — the phone, social media, where I go and when — doesn’t surprise me. Overbearing? You bet your ass. Butoverbearing is his middle name. I don’t expect he can have a wife putting any of his family or herself at risk. The socialization thing is laughable. I have no friends and love being alone.
The online access is tricky, though. I love what I do and crave to feel the power of a laptop under my fingers. I actually give myself a little time to pout over that one. I sigh and read it over again. I mean, fine, I’ll wear whatever he gets me, yeah. And a credit card? I’ve been living off ramen and dollar store toiletries, so that sounds pretty sweet. But if I don’t have access to doing what I love…
I slide the note to the side and touch the screen on the phone. It jumps to life in vivid detail.
2:23 a.m.Why isn’t he in bed?
I settle back into bed with my new phone, holding my breath at how fast it operates, how easily I’m able to glide from one task to the next.
Maybe…I can get a laptop?
My laptop.I sit upright in bed, my heart pounding. What happened to my laptop? What did they do with my possessions?
