“Everything okay?” I ask her.
Skylar jolts before turning her attention to me. “Yeah. Everything is fine. I talked to Cleo. She said that Vladimir is Hex’s twin brother. I guess their father kidnapped Vladimir from the hospital while Hex and their mother recuperated after their birth.”
“What? That’s horrible?”
“Yeah. Cleo said that Hex’s and Vladimir’s mother, Delphine, suffered greatly at the hands of her sons’ father, Maxim.”
“My father has mentioned Maxim Zoloth. Said he was a cold bastard who never cared for anyone but himself.”
“Yeah, that’s what I’ve heard, too. Vladimir is supposed to be different from his father. I’m not sure how much I believe that, though.”
“What about your friend Cleo? You said Vladimir kidnapped her?”
“Yeah, I asked about that. Cleo said it was a misunderstanding. Vladimir was trying to rescue her from his father.”
“She believes his story?”
“Yes. Maxim kidnapped Delphine and Delphine’s twin daughters. He planned to bring them here and offer them as a gift to your father. Vladimir helped them escape. Cleo is certain that Vladimir had nothing to do with the kidnapping attempt today.”
“You trust her judgment?”
“I trust her with my life. Cleo wouldn’t trust Vladimir on a whim. He brought Rurik home. He could easily have killed Rurik and claimed they found him dead. We’ll keep watch because someone tried to kidnap you.”
My father knocks on the door and opens it. “The doctor has examined Rurik and agrees that he doesn’t need to go to the hospital. However, he needs to recuperate. I’ve arranged for Vladimir's men to drive you. They’ll pick you up in the morning to take you shopping. I’m having a dinner party tomorrow night, and I’ve invited everyone that I’m considering to fill Alexi’s position. I thought you and Skylar could go shopping tomorrow and buy new dresses for the event. How does that sound?”
Terrible, but the expression on my father’s face keeps me from voicing my true feelings. He looks hopeful, frightened, and pained. I need to remember that he’s doing what he thinks is best for everyone in his organization. Thousands depend upon him. He has to do what’s right for them. Stability is what his organization needs, and that’s what he’s trying to give them by finding someone to fill Alexi’s shoes. While I wish he’d leave me out of this process, I can’t ignore that in his way, he’s trying to do what’s best for me, too. He just doesn’t realize that he’s destroying me instead of saving me.
“That sounds fine,” I tell him. “We’ll buy something beautiful to wear.”
He gives me a soft smile before leaving. I turn to Skylar and shrug at the look of exasperation on her face.
“I can’t betray him. He’s doing what he thinks is best,” I tell Skylar.
“He’s treating you like property,” Skylar insists.
“I know. Look, I can’t change anything right now.”
“We could plan for your escape,” Skylar says.
“How?” I ask, intrigued.
“Let me work on it and see if I can come up with a plan. I might be able to get you out of the country. If I can, would you go?”
I consider what it would mean to leave my home and venture out alone. Would it be better than staying here and marryingsomeone I don’t love? I’ve known several women in similar situations. Women who were forced to marry to create alliances. Could I abandon my father and embarrass him by running away? I don’t think I can, but rather than give up completely, I nod. “I don’t know if I can do it, but if you could find me a way out, I’ll consider it.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: VLADIMIR
Dominic and I leave Alexi at the hotel to make some calls. He has a few people he trusts to keep his resurrection a secret while they assist him in discovering who set him up for death. Dominic and I arrive at Alexandr’s house at the specified time to find Skylar and Anya ready to go. Once they’re seated in the limo with us, Skylar takes control of the situation.
“I spoke with Cleo last night. She claims you’re a good guy,” Skylar says.
I grin at the suspicion in her tone. Cleo may have put in a good word for me, but it’s obvious Skylar still has her doubts.
“I’m not a saint, but I try to be a good guy,” I smirk.
“You tried to kidnap Cleo. That’s how she met Hex.”
I nod in agreement. “I did attempt to kidnap Cleo, but not because I wanted to hurt her. My father thought he could use her to pressure her father into bankrolling his projects. When I learned about his plan, I intervened. I think business dealings should be between the men and women making them. Bringing innocents into it is not something I approve of.”
