“Less emotion, remember?” I whispered.
His clenched jaw and penetrating stare told me that my comment had further pissed him off.
Somehow, I didn’t care.
I left him to his consequences and pulled the door closed behind me. As I started up the grand staircase that led to the family suites, I could hear my uncle’s muffled shouting but couldn’t make out what he was saying.
The men in my life were determined to take away what little freedom I had. As terrifying as this game was, I was determined to win at any cost.
I reached my room and carefully lifted my dad’s trumpet from its case. Beneath the instrument was a small compartment that held his valve oil and cleaning cloths. My entire body shook with adrenaline. I needed to calm my nerves. Using my scissors, I carefully cut a slot in the compartment and slid the money and my passport inside, between the foam and the velvet covering.
I returned the trumpet and closed the case. I rested my trembling hand on the worn leather case, imagining my own father touching the same spot. Tears filled my eyes.
I just needed to keep this game going long enough to escape. The moment they had suggested I marry Sergei, they had backed me into a corner that was so terrible, so unthinkable, that I realized I would fight to the end before I submitted. The old me wouldn’t have even tried to leave. But now I realized that if I didn’t fight for my life, no one else would. I knew I had unfairly pulled Axel into this mess, but I didn’t care. I would drag anyone down with me if it helped me fight this, and I wouldn’t apologize for it either.
I put the trumpet and my backpack into the depths of my closet. It wasn’t the perfect hiding place, but it would give me quick enough access. It was only a matter of time before I started planning my next escape.
I stood in the library,at the bar, and poured myself a second vodka. I wasn’t a drinker and the first shot wasn’t sitting well in my empty stomach, but I needed to stop the shaking.
Axel appeared in the doorway and crossed the room to stand in front of me. He looked livid, but he kept his voice low. “What the hell? Do you know how much you just fucked me over?”
With an unsteady hand, I tossed back my second shot. “You screwed me over first when you dragged me back here.”
He glowered at me. “I was doing my job.”
I clasped the edge of the counter. The cold, white marble dug into the palm of my hands. “Don’t take it personally.”
His eyes dropped to the bottle of vodka. “Bit early, don’t you think?”
In response, I lifted my hand between us and showed him that it was shaking like a leaf.
His gaze darkened, and he spun away from me and walked the length of the room. His anger radiated off him like heat. With his back to me, he looked at the ceiling and took five deep, exaggerated breaths. The guy was seriously worked up.
He turned and pinned me with his sharp gaze. “What exactly were you thinking?”
“You told me to appeal to his logic regarding his business.” His anger made me feel defensive. “It’s fine. As long as I’m telling him I love you, my uncle won’t hurt you. Sergei can get to Vancouver some other way, and then we can amicably break up.”
He ran one hand through his hair. “You need to go back to your uncle and tell him that you made this entire thing up.”
“No.”
His nostrils flared. “Fix this.”
There was no way I was going to fix this, because this faux romance was the only thing standing between me and marriage to Sergei. “Cat’s kinda out of the bag.”
Aunt Lena appeared at the door. She looked between the both of us with contempt before focusing on me. “Your uncle’s looking for you.”
I avoided Axel’s gaze as I crossed the room. “Lead the way.”
“This conversation isn’t over,” Axel said from behind me.
“I don’t know why you’re so grumpy,” I said in an exasperated tone. “I told you repeatedly I wanted to shout my love for you from the rooftops.” I watched with satisfaction as Lena’s turned sharply. I knew my comment would be repeated verbatim into my uncle’s ear.
I glanced behind me.
Axel stood in the middle of the room, his stance wide, both hands in his pockets, his face emotionless. But his frustration was palpable as he watched me leave.
My auntall but ignored me as she led me to my uncle and left me at the door of his office. I entered his domain cautiously, unsure how angry he might be with me.
