Page 43 of Betrayal and Vows

And I need an escape.

I need him.

I pull on my robe and slip my feet into my furry slippers and ever so slowly open the door to reveal the narrow passageway.

It’s spooky and I don’t want to think of what creepy crawlies live in the dark. I know what’s at the other end of the passageway.

Back when the house was built, servants would use the passages to take care of the royalty that lived here. Because servants are not to be seen or heard, they would use the passages to stay out of sight. The passage connects to the hall that leads to the servant quarters.

Anton told me what room he was in—just in case of emergency.

This is an emergency.

I put my hands on the doorknob and turn. It’s not locked.

And there he is.

His gun is trained at my head but that’s not what I see. I only see him. He’s shirtless. Sweatpants slung low.

"Lena," he says and lowers his gun.

I slide inside, shutting the door behind me.

His room is as stark as I expected. A bed. A chair. The scent of him lingers in the air. Something I can’t name but crave anyway.

“I couldn’t sleep,” I say, not meeting his eyes.

“Get out of here,” he hisses. “There are fucking cameras everywhere.”

“I used the passage.”

He groans and shakes his head. “That’s for emergencies.”

“This is an emergency. I needed to see you.”

“I told you this is dangerous.”

“I know. I don’t care.”

He exhales. “You should. He’ll kill you.”

“He’ll kill you,” I retort.

“He doesn’t need a reason to kill me.”

“Why does Mikhail hate you?”

His jaw ticks. “He doesn’t hate me. He fears me.”

“Why? He told me you were the best, but I can see his loathing of you. At dinner he looked like he wanted to stab you.”

He sits on his bed. “Mikhail hates anything he doesn’t control.”

“You mean like me?”

His gaze sharpens. “He will control you, Lena. Your little act will not make him be kind to you.”

“I know.”