She frowns. “Who the hell is Henry, and why does he matter enough for you to get yourself involved in this mess?”
She’s right.
Henry’s just my colleague, and outside of work, we’re barely friends. Still, I can’t let him get hurt because of me. I don’t want to live with the guilt of that on my conscience forever.
Plus, I don’t think Leonid would’ve let me go regardless.
Or maybe those are just excuses I’m making, because as much as I tell myself I hate Leonid, a part of me still yearns for him.
“You don’t understand.”
“I don’t need to.” She shoots to her feet, grabs my wrist, and pulls me up.
“What are you doing?”
“Taking you away from here.” She glances around. “We have to go before he notices we’re gone.”
She starts to drag me away. I curl my fingers on the edge of the vanity table behind me to keep myself from moving.
“We can’t do that.”
“Why?”
“What happens to my parents if we run away? Do you think Leonid would just let them go?” I pull my hand away from hers. “This place is well-secured, and Leonid has connections. Even if we manage to get off his property, which we won’t, he’ll find us.”
“So you’d rather marry him than at least try to escape?” Her expression tightens with worry. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”
My stomach cools and I lower my gaze. “I have to do this, Audrey. I know you care about me, and trust me, I would’ve left already if it was an option. But I promise, it’s not.”
Audrey exhales slowly, like the fight is draining out of her. “I hate this,” she says quietly. “I really hate this.”
“I know,” I whisper, hoping she gives in.
She stares at me for a long moment, scrutinizing my face like she can force another answer out of me.
But after a moment, her shoulders finally drop. “Fine.” The resignation in her voice makes my knees weak. “I won’t push it anymore.”
Relief and guilt crash into me all at once. “Thank you.”
“I’m your best friend. You don’t need to thank me. As long as you’re safe, that’s all that matters.” She takes my hand and brushes the back of it with her thumb. “But if anything happens and you need to leave this place, you have to tell me so I can help you. Okay?”
My throat tightens with emotion. I nod.
“About—”
The door swings open, cutting her off.
“Okay, I couldn’t wait any longer, so I…” Tatiana bursts in, full of energy, but pauses mid-sentence when she notices the tension in the room. Her gaze bounces between Audrey and me. “I’m sorry. Did I interrupt something?”
Audrey wipes her face quickly, forcing composure. “No.”
“Not at all,” I chime in. “Tatiana, this is my best friend, Audrey. Audrey, this is Tatiana, Leonid’s sister.”
Tatiana steps farther inside, beaming. She’s the only one who’s truly excited for this wedding.
“Nice to meet you, Audrey.”
Audrey glares at Tatiana for a second. When she opens her mouth, I know she’s about to blast Tatiana for being happy her brother’s forcing a woman he kidnapped to marry him.
