Alexei lets out a chuckle. “What? And deprive you of your vacation. What kind of friend would I be then?”
“Fuck you,” I mutter. Still, the corner of my mouth lifts because it’s impossible to get angry with Alexei.
“You know I love you, but you’re not my type,” he jokes.
“Thank God,” I chuckle.
Getting back to the problem, Alexei says, “We’ll hear what Sergei wants.”
“And if he wants her dead?” I ask.
“We’ll deal with that when it happens. Relax and enjoy the break.”
“What fucking break? I’m stuck with a girl who’s freaking out.”
“She’ll calm down. Give her time to adjust,” Alexei says.
I let out a dissatisfied huff. “One day, I’ll cash in the favor, and it won’t be something you like, and you better do it.”
Alexei begins to laugh. “I look forward to the challenge.”
“I’m going to leave my phone in the security room so she can’t call for help. I’ll check it three times a day.”
“Okay. Try to relax while you’re there.”
“Not gonna happen,” I chuckle. “Watch your back.”
“I will.”
After we end the call, I dial Damien’s number. My brother got married a couple of years ago and lives on a private island near Finland. I don’t see him as much as I’d like to, but we keep in touch.
“Hey, how are you?” he answers.
“Good. Just wanted to let you know I’m disappearing for a while. If you need something, call Alexei.”
“Why won’t you be with Alexei?” Damien asks, concern instantly creeping into his voice. He knows I’m always by Alexei’s side.
“I’m guarding an innocent. If anyone, and I mean anyone, calls you to ask where I am, just say you haven’t heard from me in a while. Watch your back.”
“Okay, but let me know if you need back up.”
Hearing how worried my brother is, I say, “I’ll be fine. I’m laying low in a safe house. Only Alexei knows where it is.”
“Good. Call me as soon as you can.”
“I will.”
Ending the conversation, I set the phone down on the desk and glance over all the monitors before heading to the bedroom I’ll be using. After taking a quick shower, I dress in a black pair of cargo pants and a white t-shirt.
I stop by Ariana’s room to check on her, and seeing she’s still unconscious, I go downstairs to the kitchen.
I start a pot of coffee before I look through the cupboards to take stock of what food we have. I’ll have to go to the mainland for the necessities and make a mental list of everything we’ll need.
When the pot is full, I pour myself a cup, and while sipping on the hot liquid, my thoughts turn to Ariana.
Christ, she’s going to be a handful. Not that I can blame her. The chances of her believing anything I say are next to nothing.
I shake my head, not looking forward to when she wakes up.
She’s probably going to scream.
And try to run.
I wasn’t joking when I said I’ll gag her if she screams. I’m only here to make sure she stays alive and couldn’t give a fuck whether she’s comfortable.
I let out a sigh, and finishing my coffee, I rinse the cup out and set it down on the rack to dry.
Christ, Alexei owes me for this.
ARIANA
Coming to, my mind’s a foggy mess. I pry my eyes open, and once they adjust to the light streaming in from the windows, I glance around at the foreign furniture.
Where the hell am I?
Memories of the kidnapping flood back, and my body begins to tremble as fear grips my insides.
I push myself into a sitting position, taking in the elegant dressing table, the closets, the high back chair in the corner, and the big bed I’m on.
Demitri untied me, and I glance over my t-shirt and leggings before looking at my left arm. Noticing the scrapes from the fall have been cleaned, a frown forms on my forehead.
Climbing to my feet, I walk to the window and look out over the pine trees, and in the distance, there’s only water. A lake?
Turning around, I slowly move to the door, and when I try the knob, I’m surprised when it opens.
I peek out into the hallway, and not seeing anyone, I cautiously leave the room. Reaching the stairs, my heart is hammering in my chest. I inch my way down, my eyes taking in the luxurious interior of the house. Everything reeks of money, but it does nothing to keep the fear from licking at my insides.
When I reach the bottom of the stairs, I quickly take in the spacious living room. As my eyes turn to the kitchen, it’s only to find Demitri leaning back against a counter with his arms crossed over his chest. He just watches me.
Demitri Vetrov.
Again the realization shocks me to my core.
My eyes dart around until they land on the front door. Before I can take a step, Demitri says, “You can try to run, but you won’t get anywhere. We’re on an island.”