He's clearly mentally unstable. Not that I didn't think that before. I mean, he did kidnap me and is holding me prisoner, after all. I didn't exactly think he was sane…but knowing that a raging lunatic could be lurking under that handsome exterior is worrisome. Someone like that could snap at any given moment, and I have no idea what type of crazy I'm dealing with here exactly.
The staff brings out the main course, a beef roast with veggies. I watch Lucien pick up his utensils, and then I mirror his actions. I notice that the knife in my right hand is sharp, and I can't seem to tear my gaze away from the blade. It's suddenly so much more than a steak knife. This could be my way out of here.
I'm ripped from my thoughts by the sound of Lucien's panicked breaths. When I turn to him, his eyes are squeezed shut, and I realize he's having another episode. I shift uncomfortably in my seat. He looks like he's in pain, and I suddenly feel sorry for him…even though I know I most definitely shouldn't.
When his eyes open and our gazes lock, I can see the suffering in his gaze. He's undoubtedly troubled.Very troubled.
Not breaking our connection, I slowly set my utensils down. I know his panic started when I picked up the knife, so maybe that is what caused it. I watch him as his chest rises and falls rapidly until he eventually is able to gain control of himself.
Hesitantly, I pick up just my fork and begin to eat, noticing that his gaze is still trained on me. After a while, he finally picks up his own fork, and we eat the delicious meal in uncomfortable silence.
My mind feels like it's racing a million miles a minute, and it's driving me crazy not to blurt out a question or two.
"Adeline," Lucien says, disrupting the deafening silence.
My eyes snap up to his, and I watch as he opens his mouth just to close it again. Suddenly, unable to suffer through this any longer, I blurt out, "Why am I here?"
With a look of concern on his face, Lucien slowly shakes his head. "I bought you."
I nod in understanding; because as implausible as that disturbing piece of information may seem, he already told me that the first night I was brought here. "But what do youwantfrom me?" I press even though I'm fearful of his response.
He takes a moment before answering. And when he finally does, his response floors me. "Your virginity."
My entire world seems to tilt on its axis, and all I can hear is a rush of blood in my ears as my heart threatens to beat out of my chest.
Tears immediately fill my eyes, but I blink them back, not allowing any to fall. My worst fear is coming to fruition. He kidnapped and brought me here so that he could rape me.
And the thing that hits me the hardest is that my first time won't be with my future husband. It's going to be with my captor, the man who kidnapped me, who's going to steal my innocence…and probably kill me.
I twist the linen napkin in my hands, having suddenly lost my appetite. A bitter taste forms in the back of my throat, and I'm afraid that the delicious dinner might be making another appearance.
I swallow hard to keep it down and then squeak out the question, "How much?" When he doesn't answer, I finally meet his eyes. He's staring at me, those two dark pools studying my every move and making me feel uneasy. "You said you bought me. How much did you pay?" I don't know why, but I need to know.
He doesn't even blink as he replies with, "One million dollars."
One million dollars?! My mind swims in confusion. He paid a million dollars to have me kidnapped. This feels like some kind of dream.No. This feels like a freakingnightmare.
Gritting my teeth to hold back the tears threatening to overflow, I reach for the knife and grasp it in my right hand. I remember what happened last time I had the knife in my hand. Lucien looked almost…frightened. And I realize that I want him to feel that way again. In fact, I want him to feel just one-tenth of the fear I have right in this moment.
Tears, which I tried so hard to keep from falling, now stream down my face as I slowly stand up from the table. I can feel Lucien still beside me, and then he slowly sets his fork down and places his hands on the edge of the table in a vice-like grip, turning his knuckles white.
"Adeline," he warns, and I can hear the unease in his tone.
Earlier I was thinking that there was no escape from here, but I haven't actuallytried. Maybe I'm giving in too quickly, too soon. I at least have totry…especially now that I know what he's planning to do to me.
Lucien suddenly stands, knocking his chair over in the process. It clangs to the floor, the noise echoing against the walls.
I grip the handle tight in my palm and point the blade towards him. "Don't come near me," I hiss at him.
Lucien swallows hard, his Adam's apple bobbing in his thick throat. He's nervous. For some reason, knives make him nervous.
Good, I think to myself. I'm going to use this to my advantage in every way possible.
Regardless of the fear he might be feeling at this moment, he still steps towards me. I jerk the knife towards him, the blade swishing in the air and only missing him by a centimeter. His eyes meet mine, and the look on his face is murderous.
Not wanting to waste another minute in this godforsaken place, I run towards the door where I've seen the servers coming in and out of all evening. I push through the swinging door and wind up in a huge kitchen, which is bigger than most people's apartments.
The staff is all hard at work, not even noticing that I entered. My feet move swiftly as I move past the cooks and servers. Towards the back of the room, I notice Maria at the same time she spots me.
