“Then you won't leave this room,” Solana said, and Celine got the distinct impression the girl smirked behind her mask.
“I demand to see Mr. Mankel.” Celine crossed her arms and lifted her chin.
“What more do you want from him? He saved your life, you expect him to completely interrupt his schedule for your every little whim? You Americans are so full of yourself.” Solana stepped forward, her gown floating around her like a ghost.
Celine clenched her hands into fists at her sides and tried to remember that this was not her home. She would be on a plane to the United States today and never have to see this horrible place or this horrible girl again. “Fine. I'll wear it over my new clothes and as soon as I'm on that plane, I'm trashing it. Now take me to Caroline.”
Solana hovered so close to her she caught a glimpse of her wide eyes through the fine grill of material and felt the first surge of satisfaction. “Here.” Solana opened a nearby mahogany trunk, pulled out Celine’s clothing and tossed it to her. “You can see the other girl on the plane.”
Celine caught her jeans mid-air, grabbed the burka off the bed and marched back into the bathroom to dress.
Before she knew it, she was standing before the floor length mirror staring at herself through the masked head scarf, fighting off the grips of claustrophobia.Breathe. Just until you get on the plane.
Celine emerged from the bathroom and stood stiff while Solana walked in a slow circle around her. “Good. Follow me. Keep your eyes lowered and do not speak to anyone.”
“How would anyone know if I had my eyes lowered or notin this thing?” Celine countered.
Solana kept quiet for once and strode from the room, leaving Celine to chase after her. Caroline might already be waiting and then they'd be on their way home, together.
Solana hurried down the hall and Celine limped along behind her, catching quick flashes of tall marble statues and beautiful paintings.
“Keep up, I don't have all day.” Solana's sharp words snapped Celine back to the present. Solana turned a corner, her blue robes swishing behind her and then they were outside, surrounded by potted plants and bright tropical looking flowers. Huge fountains dotted the courtyard and a black Land Rover, like the one that brought her here, sat parked and waiting, two burly men in black suits standing guard.
“Where is Caroline?” Celine stopped a few feet away.
“She's being escorted down. Get in the car.” Solana gestured to the open back door.
“I'm not getting in there without Caroline.” Everything about this morning was wrong. Mr. Mankel should have been here. Caroline should be here. Solana gestured to one of the men and Celine's chest tightened as she stumbled back a step.
“Stupid Americans, always so stubborn. Well, you won't be for long; your new owner will certainly see to that.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You'll find out soon enough. Trent, put her in the back, but be careful not to bruise her further.”
The blond man with a scar running down his jaw crossed the distance between them so quickly that Celine didn't have time to react. He hauled her to the car and tossed her in the back seat. Celine scrambled for the other door, but he grabbed her foot and yanked, sending her sprawling on the seat. The door in front of her opened and Solana stood there.
“You should learn to keep your mouth shut, it will makeyour life much easier in the future. Dmitri doesn't like mouthy women.”
Celine started to shake as she realized she wasn't going to meet the senator, or even going home. “My family will find me,” she lied, though she knew her words were meaningless. Whatever forces she was dealing with could wipe her name off the face of the planet in the amount of time it took to snap a finger, and she knew that. Her situation was as hopeless as believing that Aaron cared enough to find her.
“Your family doesn't care about you.” Solana hissed and leaned down over Celine. “We only wanted the other girl, not you. No one wants you.”
Something sharp pricked her arm. She saw Solana holding a needle and her terror returned.
“Caroline.” Celine's tongue turned thick and heavy, her body hot.
“You want to see your precious Caroline?” Solana slowly lifted the veil covering her face.
Celine tried to scream but all she could do was moan and stare up helplessly into the girl’s face.
There was no scarred skin or even the dark hair and skin like she'd expected. No, Celine stared up at the picturesque blond beauty of Caroline Cotter.
Chapter 8
Three weeks earlier…
“Gonna sweep the west perimeter again, then I’ll meet up with you at the nest,” Aaron spoke into the communications piece tucked into the wrist cuff of his tuxedo. For the hundredth time that night, scanned the crowd for a hint of Celine’s platinum blonde head. “How much longer before we can burn these suits?”
