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I remember how excited Kervyn was that I was carrying his baby, though, and I have to believe that he wouldn’t do any harm to me while I’m pregnant with his heir. It is clearly a huge deal to him if he’s gone through all this to get me back.
I finish the food and drink the fruit juice that was brought with it. I don’t have anything to change into and don’t actually care that the bedspread is all fancy and nice. I keep my shoes on, ready to run at any time. I curl up on the bed, facing the door, and slowly drift off to sleep.
“Miss Winters?” My eyes fly open, and my heart beats a million times a second. The maid from before is standing there with my suitcase. “Mr. Milov has asked you to join him for breakfast. He’s asked me to bring your things so you can freshen up.”
I look around and see Luka. “I would like to use the bathroom.”
“The en suite bathroom is behind that door.” He points to a door I thought was part of the closet before. “And once you’re done, I’ll be outside to escort you.”
I make quick work of freshening up and changing. Maybe I can plead with Kervyn to—I don’t know—let me go? It doesn’t seem likely, but I have to try.
I step outside the room, and Luka nods. “This way.”
He leads me downstairs and onto a terrace where a large table is situated, ladened with food. I see Kervyn. Even now, he’s so handsome as he eyes me out.
“Penny, I’m pleased to see you’re feeling up to talking,” he says, indicating for me to sit to his left.
“I didn’t feel I had much choice,” I said quietly. I need to maintain confidence. I cannot show fear.
“Not really, but one does like the illusion of having a choice. That’s all choice is really—an illusion. In reality, whatever we pick will lead to the same consequence. But that’s not what I called you here for. Please. Eat.”
“I’m afraid I don’t have an appetite this morning. I will have coffee, though.” I look at Luka. “Black, two sugars.”
Kervyn chuckles. “He won’t listen to you, but Luka, go to the kitchen and arrange some coffee for Penny, please.”
Luka nods and leaves.
“He would have listened, maybe, if you had said please.” Kervyn starts to pick fruit from the plates in front of us. They all look ripe and juicy.
“So, you ran away. I understand. Marriage is a big step to take, and it can be daunting.” He starts to cut up the fruit with a sharp-looking knife, and for one wild second, I wonder if I can grab the blade and stab him. No, I’d definitely be killed then.
“I’m not discussing anything further until you tell me where Asher is,” I demand, crossing my arms.
“Don’t be a petulant child, Penny. It doesn’t work that way. This isn’t some romance book some idiot wrote.” He stabs a piece of fruit and brings it to his mouth to bite into it. Once heswallows, he shrugs. “Asher is upstairs still, resting and probably having breakfast. I am a rather pleasant host when I’m not irritated. I don’t care if you don’t want to discuss it or not, Penny. There is no choice here. Not even an illusion of one. You are going to marry me. You are potentially carrying the heir to the Milov family fortune, and quite frankly, you no longer have a say in the matter.”
I glare at him, feeling an unfamiliar anger building up within me. Everyone keeps making decisions for me as though what I think doesn’t matter at all.
I’m tired of it. I’m tired of being treated like I’m just a pushover. I stand up suddenly and grab a glass of water.
“I am not going to marry you. You will have to kill me first.” I throw the water all over him and then stare at him in anger.
Chapter 7 - Kervyn
I close my eyes as the water splashes over my face. I take out a napkin and wipe my face, looking at her. Two of my guards have moved closer, but I wave them off.
“It’s okay.” I get up and lean forward, catching her chin in my hand. I force her to look up at me and see all her bravado leave her eyes as my gaze bores down into hers.
“You really should not defy me.” I look up as Maria comes in carrying a tray of coffee, and I wave her away. “No. She likes to throw liquids, so she doesn’t get hot coffee.”
Maria nods, turns around, and leaves.
I look back down at Penny. “Not many people defy me. Especially not those who have done their homework and know who I am. I assume you have learned who I am in the grand scheme of things?”
Penny nods slowly, and I let go, sitting back down.
“Tell me, what do you know?” I steeple my fingers together and watch her.
Penny swallows. “You’re a bad person. You run the Russian Mafia in Vegas, and you’re wanted in connection with lots of unsolved crimes.”
