My eyes widen when I realize why they’re in a hurry to marry me off, and why they locked my bodyguard out of this meeting. They’re hoping my very ruthless brother-in-law doesn’t find out and try to stop them. Sofia would never let them do this. Not to mention that the Balshovs and the Rossis are enemies. She’d get her husband to stop the wedding, and it wouldn’t take much convincing. This also explains why they insisted on seeing me as soon as I got off the plane—while Matteo and Sofia are still on their honeymoon.
My parents are afraid of crossing Matteo.
But once I am married to Yuri and become the bratva’s property, there is nothing Matteo can do without starting a war with the Russians.
I should have realized it sooner when they asked to meet me alone. Damn, there’s no stopping it now.
Think, Elena. Think!
“I…I need a moment,” I whisper, tugging the band from my hair and mussing it up in a way that has my mother’s face scrunching up in disapproval. “I’m a mess. Maybe I can take a moment to freshen up and let the news settle in before Yuri gets here?” And get a moment alone to call Sofia and beg for help.
I let them see my shaky hands as I drop them to my sides. My father’s eyes narrow suspiciously on me for a moment, and I think he’s not going to let me leave, but he nods once. “Be quick. And leave your phone with your mother.”
So much for my plan to call Sofia. I reluctantly hand over my phone and stand. My mother grabs my hand as I turn away, and my pulse jumps until I see what she’s holding out for me. “Here, use this to put some color on your lips.”
“Thanks,” I say, taking the lipstick and stumbling out the door, but instead of heading to the bathroom, I go in the opposite direction. My knees are weak as I rush to the foyer, half terrified that Thornton will stop me. Or worse, he’ll alert my parents to what I’m trying to do, but I don’t spot him anywhere. I move faster until I’m nearing running toward the front door—toward safety. Finally, I see Roarke, looking out the window as if he’s scanning the property for danger. I cry out as I nearly stumble.
Strong arms grab my shoulders, and my eyes lock with the concern in my bodyguard’s blue ones. “Elena?”
“We need to go,” I whisper, gripping his arm and opening the front door. I pull him down the steps with me. “Please, we have to leave now!”
He stops me, his eyes hardening as he glances back at my family home. “What happened in there?”
“I’ll tell you later. Please, just take me away from here,” I plead with the man, tugging at his arm, but he’s a boulder and doesn’t move an inch. “Please, Roarke.Please.”
He turns to me, and this time, I let the tears that have been choking me fall. I let him read the fear in my eyes and plead that he makes the decision before my parents come outside and cause a scene. Or Yuri arrives while we’re still here.
Please.
“Okay.”
There is no time to wait for my usual driver to bring the car around, not that I trust anyone anyway here who works for my father, so Roarke grabs my arm and turns to the street, raising his hand to hail a cab. One pulls up next to us seconds later. He opens the door for me, and I climb in. He follows, glancing around to check if anyone has noticed us leave before giving the cab driver my address.
“No, not my place,” I tell him. “Anywhere else.”
He gives a different address without missing a beat, and I don’t breathe until the cab pulls away. Neither one of us talks during the ride, and I try not to think about my parents’ words. It’s clear what they’re trying to do. Now that they’re related to the most powerful man in the city, they’ve gotten greedy. And since their plan worked so well the first time, they’re willing to sell off another daughter, this time to the Russian bratva.
I should have expected this. I’ve always been good at observing and reading people, especially my parents. I should have anticipated that selling off Sofia wouldn’t be enough for them. And now, I need a plan to stop them. I reach for my phone to text my sisters and cousins before remembering I don’t have it.
The cab lurches to a halt, pulling me from my thoughts and to the massive building we’ve pulled up in front of. A façade of limestone, all glass and steel that reflects the city. The entrance is guarded by a pair of massive bronze doors with a discreet brass plaque that speaks of wealth. I turn to stare at Roarke as he pays for the cab, and I realize that I forgot that this man’s family operates one of the biggest private security firms in the entire city. Of course, he could afford to live someplace like this.
He exits and holds the door for me as I step out. “Your place?”
“Yes, my family owns the building,” he tells me, closing the cab door. “You don’t have to worry about anyone coming here. The building has top-notch security. I personally saw to it that it’s secure.”
I nod and follow him to the entrance, stepping into a sun-drenched lobby. Sunlight streams through tall windows and onto the polished marble floors. I notice a lounge area to the left with artwork and what seems to be designer furnishings. I take it all in as he escorts me toward the bank of elevators. I wait to speak until we’re inside.
“My parents want to marry me off to Yuri Balshov,” I blurt out, and I watch as surprise flashes on his face. Horror follows before finally being replaced with rage. Exactly what I felt back in my parents’ home, but now, I’ve had time to think. The cab ride gave me time to sort through my emotions and sift through my options.
“What do you mean your parents want to marry you off to that bastard, Yuri Balshov?”
“They had everything planned out but I’m not going to let it happen. I’ve come up with the perfect plan to stop them, and you’re going to help me.”
“Elena, wait, what are you—”
“I need you to marry me, Roarke.”
Chapter Four
