“Out?” she asks, eyebrow arching.
I nod in reply. “Yes, I thought it would be a good way to get to know each other better.”
Her eyes narrow. “Why do we need to get to know each other when you’ve already made your expectations clear?”
It’s a smart question. A question I don’t know how to answer. “It is what is expected. Your father suggested it.”
She sighs heavily and nods. “Fine.”
I can feel elation bubbling in my stomach as she steps toward the front door. This is going to be easier than I expected. I take her arm gently and open the front door. “You look exquisite today.”
Her cheeks flush a little. “Thank you.”
A blushing bride on her wedding day. I lead her to the passenger’s side of the van and open the door. “This is my driver, Budimir.”
She smiles at him, still totally unaware of the plot that’s underway. “Nice to meet you.”
He smiles back at her. “And you, miss.”
I slide in next to her as she takes her place in the center seat. Unaware that there are three armed men sitting in the back, ready to strike if she tries anything.
“So,” she says, glancing at me. “Where are we going?”
I smile. “A church.”
Her brow furrows slightly as Budimir turns over the ignition, starting the engine and drives down the driveway toward the exit. “What kind of church?”
“A beautiful one, designed by a Russian architect.” I squeeze her thigh gently. “I thought we could look at prospective wedding venues.”
“Oh,” she says, nodding. “I’m not sure Papá will negotiate on that though. He’ll want a catholic church for the wedding.”
“I see. Well, it’s worth having a look, isn’t it?” I ask.
Budimir drives right through the gates and onto the street, and still Eliza is unaware that I have kidnapped her. The men in the back remain silent.
“I guess,” she says, twirling a piece of her hair around her finger.
Everything is slowly falling into place. Within half an hour, Eliza Estrada will be Eliza Volkov and we’ll be on our way to claim the crown, no matter the costs. Victory is sweet.
5
ELIZA
Ifeel on edge as I sit between Adrik and Budimir.
There’s something about Adrik’s demeanor that feels off, and I’m regretting getting into this van with him. I twirl my long hair around my fingers, unable to do anything else to calm my nerves.
Budimir stops outside an ornate looking church near the center of the city and turns off the engine.
“We’re here,” Adrik says, opening the passenger’s door and hopping out. He doesn’t offer his hand to help me, so I climb down by myself, stumbling a little onto the road. His arm goes around my waist to support me.
“Careful, baby girl. You don’t want to ruin that beautiful dress, do you?”
A shiver races down my spine as that’s not the first time he’s called me baby girl. He did it in that room at the back of the Russian owned club. I knew the name Podolka was familiar and once he appeared, I realized why. That was two weeks ago and then suddenly he appears at my door today. It all feels a little off, but I’m not sure why.
My heart skips a beat as three men jump out of the back of the van, making my brow furrow. “What the—”
Adrik tightens his grip on me. “No questions. Inside,” he orders, yanking me toward the church.