The less she knew the better just in case. I’d also learned the hard way over the years. “Not really. Just that he’s Russian and also has no idea why he’s been taken.”
“What was he doing here?”
“Business of some kind.” That was true. He’d told me he’d come here on a business trip, the vehicle he’d been riding in ambushed. Of course, I’d found nothing to corroborate that, but I’d known I wouldn’t. My guess was my father’s men had been responsible. Whatever the case, my father was determined to make Kazimir miserable for an extended timeframe. The why didn’t matter any longer.
“What’s he like?” Her wicked side made a return.
“He’s tall and muscular, so handsome that he could be a man inside the books we read. He’s a man of power in Moscow. That much I can sense. He has an aura only emanated from someone of great wealth.”
“You mean he’s dangerous.” She finally smiled slyly, which allowed me to breathe a little easier. Although I’d known her allmy life, she was far more accepting of the life she’d been born into.
Including the perks of money and clout.
The slight warmth across my jaws and cheeks occurred almost every time I thought about him. “That too. Will you do it? Please.”
“O-kay, but if he hurts you or tries to take you with him, you need to text me.”
I squeezed her hand. “I will. You text me if anyone is bugging you about where I am. Let’s go downstairs and pretend we’re enjoying ourselves.” Doing so would be extremely difficult for me and acting would be required. Everything in my life thus far had boiled down to me being an excellent actress, more so lately.
Over the years, I’d honed the craft, which had enabled me to get away with small acts of defiance. This was way out of my usual league, but nothing was going to stop me from getting what I wanted.
“One more thing. I’m certain Tomaso will be lurking around, hovering over me. Can you flirt with him?”
Now I could tell I’d awakened her sassy spirit. “I would be happy to do that.”
Golden already had her head lifted. I’d explained things to her, needing both her strength and her companionship. I knew in my heart she wouldn’t fail me like everyone else had.
We walked downstairs and within minutes, I was absorbed into the crowd and the party. I had to say that in my mind I’d kicked up my acting skills a notch. Including when my father had insisted on introducing me to several young men.
I laughed when appropriate, even batted my eyelashes as if on cue. With a glass of champagne in my hand, I made certain I was seen, my laughter heard, and pictures taken when the moment was right. Finally, the formal introductions began to ease, people dancing to the music.
I’d hidden my bag in the maze of landscaping where I knew no one would find it. A last moment of rebellion before my fantasy faded into sweet but distant memories.
As discussed, when I gave the okay with a single nod to my bestie, she headed for Tomaso. The one thing about men was that they were mostly predictable.
He was very happy with being approached by a beautiful young woman. In his mind, he was picturing an increase in power and standing if he became so lucky as to marry into the family.
The truth about the world in which I lived and thrived was disgusting.
I moved into the shadows, undetected, yet I waited by the fountains to ensure I hadn’t been followed. With my nerves in an uproar and my heart hammering so loudly it echoed in the swell of my ears, I finally found the courage to grab my bag and head through the maze toward the man I might never see again.
There was no certainty he hadn’t already left, but with the tingling crackle of current flowing through my system the closer I came, I was hopeful he hadn’t.
My riskiest move had been to fulfill a promise, racing to unlock the padlock just in case I was cornered and unable to do so later. I pushed my way through the last group of foliage, glancing behind me one more time before flicking on the flashlight. Seeing that the lock had been shifted made my heart fall.
But I had to know for certain.
I’d tried so very hard not to become emotional the last few days and fighting tears as I approached the door was horribly painful and embarrassing. However, the most captivating realization of all was that I was in full control of my destiny.
Even if only for a little while.
With a heavy sigh, I opened the door and peered inside, eager yet anxious.
Would the powerful but very dangerous man accept me?
This time, a light was thrown onto me, but the brightness didn’t stop my fur baby. She raced around me, offering tiny squeals of delight.
“What are you doing here,moy malen’kiy tselitel’?” His voice was even gruffer, the deep baritone something that I hoped I would remember and hear softly in my dreams. He dropped the light while I lifted mine just enough to be able to see his expression. “I told you not to come back.”
