“Maybe if you didn’t terrify your daughter so much, I would treat you with more respect. I did my duty. We have peace between our families. That’s enough.” He grabs my hand and pulls me away from my dad.
I watch as Lev storms over to Gregor, pointing at me and Maksim. Both of our fathers look angry and yet, Maksim doesn’t seem to care at all.
“Let’s get out of here,” he murmurs, tugging me through the crowd.
“But our fathers…”
“They’ll be fine. Right now, I’m more concerned about Enzo. Fuck. He was bold by coming here. This charity is one run by my family. It’s a way we make our business look more legitimate. The fact that he came here knowing this… he’s baiting us. It’s like he wants a war.”
We leave the hotel and Maksim tells the valet to get our car. Maksim is silently fuming. The last time I’ve seen him this angry was when he killed that man… to protect me. Maksim cares about me, I realize. I stand closer to him, seeking his warmth.
Our car pulls up and we get in, driving away from the charity event. But Maksim doesn’t become at ease. In fact, he gets more and more tense.
“Someone is following us,” he says, tightening his hands on the wheel.
“Who?”
“I’m not sure. I’ll try to lose them.” Maksim turns corner after corner but still can’t get rid of the car following us. He takes a risk and drives down an alleyway. For a moment, I don’t see anything. We’re safe.
But then a car comes up behind us and slams right into the back of our car. Maksim loses control of the wheel and the frontof our car crashes into the wall of the alleyway. The airbags deploy.
I wince from the pain but otherwise, I’m all right. Maksim isn’t though.
He’s slumped over the steering wheel… unconscious.
“Maksim?” I whisper, nudging his arm. He groans, blinking his eyes open. He’s alive. I never thought I’d be this happy to know that.
Before I can rejoice, my car door is ripped open and a tall, burly man grabs me from my seat and drags me towards his car.
“Natasha,” Maksim groans, trying to get out of the car but he’s not fast enough. The large man throws me into the back seat of his car and runs to the driver’s seat before Maksim can free himself from his seat.
“Maksim!” I shout, knowing he can’t hear me as I’m driven away. Kidnapped.
And for the first time, I realize I care deeply for my husband. But now it’s too late.
Chapter Fifteen
Natasha
“Who are you?” I demand but my kidnapper doesn’t say a word. “Where are you taking me? Please. Answer me.”
He only keeps his eyes on the road, not acknowledging me like I don’t even exist.
I give up asking questions since I know it’s pointless and instead, I keep my eyes glued to the window. Maybe if I know where I’m going I can escape.
My kidnapper eventually takes me to a nice, wealthy neighborhood full of mansions. It’s then that I recognize this place: I was here with Kira… for Enzo’s party.
Right on cue, my kidnapper pulls into the driveway of Enzo’s house. The second he grabs me from the car, I let out a screambut he clamps his hand over my mouth, silencing me. I try to fight against his grip but he’s too strong and he easily carries me to the front door.
Once we’re inside the house – I remember it perfectly – my kidnapper throws me to the hard marble floor. The loud clack of shoes rings throughout the air and then right before me is Enzo, smiling down at me.
“You lied to me,” he says.
“What?”
“You didn’t tell me who you were the night of my party. You didn’t tell me you’re Maksim Petrov’s wife.”
“Why would I? I realize who you were and knew I shouldn’t say anything for my own safety. And I was right. You kidnapped me.”
