“It’s a long story. One for another day.”
I finish my piece of banana bread and stare down at my hands. “You know, I was really anxious when you first showed up. I don’t handle change well. But you seem nice. Much nicer than Ann ever was. So, I’m getting used to you.”
“That’s nice of you to say. But why don’t you go sit down now? I’m sure you’re tired.”
As if on cue, a sudden bout of sleepiness hits me. “You know what? You’re right. I am feeling tired.”
I stumble towards a chair at the table. My body slams into it much harder than I expected it would. What is happening? Something doesn’t feel right inside of me.
“Alice, I’m not sure if I’m ok.”
“You are ok. Just let it take over you. You’ll be all right.”
“I will be?”
She grimaces. “Yes. And… I’m sorry. He made me do this.”
Who? But before I can ask, darkness takes over me.
Alek
I’m waiting in my home office when I hear the doorbell ring. After Dimitri discovered my previous house when I kidnapped his wife, I had to move. Bought this new house in cash so it’suntraceable. Dimitri won’t be able to find it so easily like he did last time. Which is perfect for me.
I can hear one of my guards open the front door and then footsteps. A female voice. Alice.
My smile won’t leave my face as I leave my office and head into the foyer. That’s when I see my guard, Tony, and Alice talking together.
My smile drops from my face. “Where is she? The sister?”
Alice can’t look me in the eye. “In my car.”
“Did she put up a fight?”
“No. I… used the drug you gave me. I baked it into some banana bread. She ate it. Didn’t suspect a thing. I got her into my car without anyone else noticing.”
“Not even the guards stationed outside Dimitri’s home?” I know he doubled them after I attacked.
“There were less of them. Dimitri’s wife is out with friends today so the guards went with her. Only one remained behind and I got Katya into my car when he was in the backyard.”
“So, Dimitri didn’t suspect a thing then. Good.”
“He…” Alice hesitates. “It was clear to me that he never expected her to leave her room, so I think he thought she would be safe, even with less guards around.”
“He put his attention on his wife,” I murmur. All because I kidnapped Sofiya once before. He thinks I was going to do it again. Dimitri never even considered I’d go after his sister instead.
Katya Ivanov. Everyone knows her name but no one has seen her in over twelve years. Until now.
“And you’re sure you have his sister?”
Alice shrugs. “There was no one else. It’s his sister.”
“Good. Now, you’re going to want to quit your housekeeping job. Dimitri will kill you when he finds out what you did. I’ll pay you handsomely. Set you up for life for this. Thank you.”
“I won’t be caught?”
“I’ll do everything in my power.” Though, Dimitri could find her and kill her and I’d have no way of stopping it. Not that I would really care since Alice was just a means to an end. I have no love for her. “Now, Tony, bring Katya inside. I want to meet my new prisoner.”
Tony does as I say. Alice stands in the foyer, staring down at the floor like she can disappear into it. But we both know she can’t.
