“Careful, lass. Don’t want you to fall.” He offers his hand to me for balance as I step out of the car. When I don’t take it, he gives me a reassuring smile. “It’s okay. One day, you’ll know you’re safe with us.”
Then he steps back and looks into the distance while Patrick leads me toward the porch.
“None of my men will ever harm you, Anastasia. I would put a bullet in their heads if they even thought about it.”
His words are the balm to soothe my worries. I haven’t told him anything about my life at home with my father, but somehow, he knows exactly when I need reassurance that no one will hurt me.
I’m not sure what I am expecting when we walk into the mansion, but peaceful silence isn’t it.
After we step into a large office, he closes the door behind us and goes over to the desk. “You can watch TV or read. There’s an e-reader all set up for you on the table. I’m sure the girls added a bunch of shit you shouldn’t read, but for whatever reason, they love it.”
Hmm. Now I want to see what’s loaded on the device. Something naughty?
“They aren’t here?”
He smirks. “I sent them strict instructions to not all bombard you at once. They can be… a lot.”
Even though he rolls his eyes, there’s so much warmth in them as he does so. I’m not sure I totally understand the connection he has with those women, but it’s obvious that it’s special.
I settle down onto the rich-chocolate leather couch and pull a waiting throw blanket over my lap. Then I fumble with the e-reader for several minutes before I find a book with a hot-looking man in a crisp black suit on the cover. I’m not sure why, but the model reminds me of Patrick.
Before I know it, there’s a plate held out in front of me, along with a bottle of water. “It’s lunchtime. You seemed to be enjoying that book.”
When I glance at the clock to confirm the time, I can’t believe it. I was completely unaware of what he was doing all morning.
“It’s a really good story,” I murmur.
“Yeah? What’s it about?”
The corners of my lips curl into a grin. “The Irish mafia.”
His eyes widen, and then he starts shaking his head while saying something under his breath in another language.
We’re interrupted by a knock on the door. Before Patrick even has the chance to stand, a woman comes bounding in with an arms full of random stuff.
“Hi! I’m Cali!”
She’s small, but her personality is big. It’s like there’s a cloud of happiness that hangs over her and travels to everyone else in the room.
“Cali, this is Ana. Anastasia, this is Declan’s wife, Cali.”
I don’t miss the way heintroduced me as Ana but used my full name when he addressed me. Gosh, I think I’m falling for this man.
My captor.
My hero.
“I’m so glad to finally meet you. I brought some snacks.” She holds up an enormous bag of Cheetos, then a bag of sour gummies, and another one of Swedish Fish. In the other hand, she holds up a DVD. “And I broughtBeauty and the Beast. It’smy favorite movie. Have you ever seen it? You’re gonna love it. Oh, I also brought wine!”
The following day, after lunch, a different woman bursts into the room. She reminds me of Cali, but a little quieter and less bouncy.
“Anastasia, this is Scarlet. She’s Killian’s wife.”
Scarlet flashes a gorgeous smile. “I’m so glad to meet you. I brought some Diamond Art for us to do if you feel like hanging out. I also have a bracelet-making kit with me.”
I’m glad I’m sitting on the couch when she says this, otherwise, I think I’d be as bouncy as Cali was yesterday.
Art and bracelets? Count me in.
