Lena
My heart hammers in my chest, and I have to force myself not to stare at the door and to pretend to listen as Zeke drones on about his plans for the building and his empire.
What’s taking so long?The minutes seem to creep past at a snail’s pace.
Then, suddenly, the door opens and Mary Beth strides in like she owns the place—her heels thunder across the floor with each confident step. Mary Beth is evidently assured of her position in Zeke’s household. It doesn’t bode well for me, my entire fate rests on Zeke believing me over her. “Zeke, baby, this looks fabulous, so romantic!” she declares.
Like me, she’s dressed in a gown. Hers is made from black lace, the sheerness revealing her bare skin. Hers is even more revealing than mine, which is an impressive feat. A small, young woman with mousy hair who is carrying Mia trails behind her.
“Mama!” Mia cries with delight, reaching her chubby arms out for me.
“Mia!’ My voice is thick as the words catch in my throat at the sight of her looking happy and well cared for. I jump up from my seat, ready to run to her, but Zeke grabs hold of my wrist again, keeping me firmly in place.
Mary Beth tuts, turning to scald Mia. “What have I told you? I’m your mama now.” She turns her attention toward Zeke. “What’s she doing here?” she asks, glaring at me.
“Sit down and I’ll tell you.”
Mary Beth looks as if she’d like to argue with him, but she doesn’t. She takes the seat on Zeke’s other side, scowling at me from across the table.
Confused as to what’s going on and why she can’t see me, Mia begins to cry. It kills me to hear her calling for me and not be able to do anything about it.
“Will you shut her up?” Mary Beth snaps, looking at the nanny who’s trying and failing to calm Mia across the room. “What are we paying you for?”
“Please, Zeke, if you would let me hold her, just for a moment, she’ll calm down, I promise,” I beg, my heart breaking.
Zeke nods. I don’t give him a chance to change his mind. Immediately, I’m on my feet, rushing over to take Mia from the relieved nanny’s arms. “It’s okay, baby, Mama’s here,” I whisper to her, holding her close and breathing her in.
All too soon, Zeke’s voice booms out. “That’s enough. Svetlana, take the child back to her room. The women and I need to talk.” The young woman, whom I now know is called Svetlana, reaches out, but I clutch Mia close, unable to let her go. “Give her back, Lena, don’t make me regret letting you hold her.”
Finally, with promises that I’ll see her soon, I give Mia back. “Mama loves you,” I tell her, fighting back tears as Svetlana takes her away. Her cries echo down the corridor and in my head long after she’s gone.
Defeated, I return to my seat. If Zeke aimed to show how much control he has over me, he’s achieved it.
“What is she doing here, Zeke?” Mary Beth hisses, narrowing her eyes at me. “She should be in the dungeons with the other traitors.”
“She’s here because I want her here,” Zeke replies coolly.
“I told you that she whored herself to our enemies,” Mary Beth adds indignantly.
Zeke shrugs. “Lena says she didn’t.”
Mary Beth’s voice is shrill with disbelief. “And you believe her?”
“The Lena I know is honest and pure. You’re the one who admits to fucking half of the Soaring Eagles and my own men. You and your sister,” Zeke says cruelly.
“A sister I killed tonight for you, to prove to you my loyalty and devotion. But if you still won’t believe me, I can prove Lena’s lying right now,” Mary Beth insists.
“By all means,” Zeke replies, leaning back in his chair and opening his arms wide. He’s enjoying this, seeing Mary Beth groveling for his affection. But I know from experience, Zeke likes the hunt. The reason he wants me is precisely because I don’t want him.
Mary Beth pulls out her phone and makes a call. “Bring them to the dining room now.”
When the men Mary Beth called appear, my heart sinks, and my blood turns to ice. All of my hopes of rescue disappear like dust in the wind.
Rex.
Two men drag him between them, limp and unconscious. His face is swollen and bloodied, his lips split, and a gash above his eyebrow is oozing blood. His hands are cuffed behind his back, and his shirt is soaked with sweat.
Mary Beth smirks triumphantly at me, and Zeke puffs his chest out with pride. Behind them, Cole stumbles throughthe door, two goons holding him up under his armpits. He’s conscious but barely. Cole’s handsome face is bloodied and bruised; his left eye is swollen shut. Blood trickles from his nose and mouth. He looks like he’s been through hell, and still, when he sees me, he tries to smile. It’s a broken, bitter smile, but it’s for me. He looks at Zeke and spits on the ground, defiant even in the face of defeat.
