“Sheesh, okay, I hear you. I tell you what. We can make a deal.” His eyes trace over me. I don’t know if he’s playing me or not.
“What kind of deal?” I ask, narrowing my gaze at him, trying to ignore how ruggedly sexy he looks.
“I’ll let you go out and about wherever you want, whenever you want. A mall, whatever—with guards, of course,” he pauses, being dramatic for no reason, annoying me all over again.
“If…?” I huff.
“If you stop trying to escape and you live with me voluntarily.”
“What? That’s stupid. You want me tochooseto live here? Basically, you want me to be awillingkidnapping victim?”
What is his game? What does he really get out of this? I don’t understand.
“Yes, pretty much. Look, you can accept it or not. It’s up to you. I’m not the one going crazy with boredom. I have plenty to keep me entertained,” he gestures over his workshop.
“Fine,” I huff shortly. “I agree to your terms. But I want a car. The guards can follow me in a different one.”
He cocks his head to the side. “A negotiation. I like it.”
“Okay, but do you agree to it?”
“Yes, I will get you a car. Anything in particular?”
“You don’t have to buy me a car—um, that’s not what I was saying—” I stammer, shocked that he was so willing.
“I can picture you in a little Jeep. Maybe a Range Rover. Something with funk and attitude.”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “I can just drive whatever car you have here.”
“Pink. It needs to be pink,” he nods thoughtfully, ignoring my protests. “I’ll line that up for you today. You’ll have your car by tomorrow.”
I narrow my eyes, scrunching my nose in confusion. Is he really going to buy me a whole custom car for no real reason?
I don’t understand this man at all.
He returns to his work with a smile on his face. He can see he got the better of me in this situation. My confusion is written all over my face.
I turn away, half smiling, half frowning, and head back into the house.
It’s okay. Whatever his real plan is, I have a plan of my own. With more freedom, I’ll be able to move about more easily. That means I can use this time to gather information about the Andreev family. Whenever I do get back home, I won’t go empty-handed.
Chapter 7 - Yulian
My phone is wedged between my shoulder and my cheek as I pace the workshop in my back garden, carrying the wooden shelves from the pile against the wall to my workbench to sand and varnish.
“So, can you help me tomorrow?” Arkady asks, his voice slightly muffled because the phone isn’t sitting quite right against my ear. I pause to adjust it so I can hear him better.
He’s asking me to spend the day with him tomorrow. That would be a day away from Katerina. A day I don’twantto spend away from her.
“Can you possibly ask Luka first? I’m swamped here. If he can’t do it, then I can make a plan, but I’m a bit overwhelmed at the moment.” This isn’t true, and I feel bad lying to my brother, but the truth is way too dangerous to share.
I kidnapped Katerina Krolik, and I want to spend time with her because I’m completely obsessed with her.
Yeah, that will go down well.
“Sure, man, let me give him a call. I don’t think he’s busy at the moment. I’ll get back to you if he can’t help.” Arkady doesn’t sound annoyed or disappointed, which is a relief.
“Thanks for understanding.” I dump the last shelf down on the pile and stand up, rolling my shoulders as I shift the phone into my hand.
