“I had a few last-minute files to review,” I replied. “And staying anywhere I usually would have meant you finding me and distracting me.”
“If by distracting you, you mean reminding you to take a break every once in a while, then I’ll happily distract you. But at least someone would’ve known where you were. Mariya was worried. I stayed at the family mansion with her last night.”
“I’m sorry. It slipped my mind.”
“Avit, it slippedyourmind to call and let Mariya know you weren’t coming home?” Pyotr asked suspiciously.
“She couldn’t have missed me that much if she didn’t call or text. Neither did you.”
“That’s because weexpectedyou to call, like you normally do,” Pyotr said, disbelief lacing his voice.
“Fine. I’m sorry. I won’t let it happen again.”
“Great. Now call Mariya so she knows you’re not in a gutter somewhere bleeding or dead. And Lev wants us at headquarters at eight.”
“Sure thing.”
After Pyotr hung up, I left a short apologetic voice note for Mariya, then shot a text to Wexler to meet me at the front of the house. I needed to figure out how to juggle visiting the family mansion while keeping Sienna here without raising suspicion. And with my phone still linked to Timur’s security network, I’d have to reroute my location before anyone started asking questions.
It was going to be a long-ass fucking day.
Chapter 4 - Sienna
I opened my eyes groggily, rolled over, and landed on the floor.
“Ouch!” My eyes shot open. “What the hell?”
I sat up quickly and looked around the room, fear and adrenaline shooting through my veins. I wasn’t home. And I definitely wasn’t in my apartment. Then, memories from yesterday came rushing back.
The men in black.
The car ride.
Mr. Avit.
Signing a marriage certificate.
And then slamming the door in his face.
I lay back on the carpet and closed my eyes. I’d hoped it had all been just a bad dream, but it wasn’t.
“Shit,” I muttered. “I can’t believe I’m married to a man from the Russian mafia.”
After locking the door yesterday, I searched through my things and didn’t find my phone. Of course, he’d taken it, so I wouldn’t call anyone. But then, who would I even call? His family had ties to the bombings a few months ago and were still walking free. I was sure they had the Philly police in the palms of their hands. When Mandy went home and didn’t see me, she would’ve been worried sick.
I doubted he’d even bothered to message her to say I was okay. But then, why would he? My father had offered me up like a damn lamb for slaughter, and Mr. Avit had accepted the deal, erasing my father's debt for a young, virgin bride. He was just asdisgusting and despicable as my father. And, just like my father, I was sure he’d punish me and make my life miserable.
Just then, there was a knock on the door. “Great. Speak of the devil,” I grumbled, rolling my eyes.
I glanced at my watch. It was seven in the morning. What the hell did he want this early? Last night, we hadn’t consummated our marriage. What if he was just giving me time to get used to the place…and now he was back to have his way with me?
My heart raced.
“No, no, no.”
There was no way I was opening that door.
Another knock came, louder and more impatient. I scanned the room for a weapon, anything to fend him off.
