Though I attempt to scoot away from him, he tightens his grip, and his expression turns feral.
“Soon, Valentina.Soon” He brushes his lips across mine.
I despise the way my breath catches.“No…”
“Your mouth says one thing, but your body…” He traces a knuckle down the column of my throat, then between my breasts.“Oh, your beautiful body says another.”
With that, he releases me and steps back.
Bastard.
“There are clothes in the closet.”
More clothes?How does he keep doing this?“And you unlocked the closet?So generous.”
He doesn’t respond to that.Instead, he changes the topic.“Your escort will be here in an hour.”At the door, he pauses.“If you keep her waiting, there will be consequences.”
And maybe I don’t mind paying them.
One last time, he sweeps his gaze over me.“I’ll see you at the altar, my future wife.”
With that, he’s gone.Infuriatingly he clicks the lock back into place.
I exhale my frustration.
Then I finish the coffee.Extraordinarily good coffee, I note.
But it’s nowhere near enough.
Pulling the robe’s lapels together, I make my way to the door and knock on it like Moretti has been doing.
“Ma’am?”
The answer came faster than I expect.“I’d like more coffee.”I pause.“And breakfast.”
“Yes, ma’am.What would you like?”
Getting my needs met was this easy all along?Why the hell didn’t he say anything?
Then again, I’m Valentina Russo.And I’ve been far too compliant.I’ve allowed this, and I’m done.
Keeping my tone even, I say, “A bagel?A croissant?”Then I inject a friendlier note into my voice.“If that’s too much trouble, toast is fine.”
“We’ll see to it, ma’am.”
No doubt, they’re expecting me to attempt an escape as soon as I’m able.Thankfully the closet is unlocked, so I dress in a pair of his sweatpants and a hoodie.I’m better off barefoot than the only pair of shoes that I have.
Within minutes, there’s a knock at the door.“Please wait in the middle of the room, Ms.Russo.”
“Of course!”Like with the way I clocked Moretti with the lamp, I have exactly one chance to surprise them.
No doubt they’re expecting me to be behind the door.
So I’m standing exactly where they expect.
Outside, I hear the jangle of metal.
The door opens just enough for a soldier to enter, balancing a tray.
