Chapter 37
Abbie
I’ve taken a long, relaxing bath to try and calm my nerves.
Just keep up appearances until Nikolai comes.
I walk into my bedroom after lathering my body with my favorite lotion and stare at the dress I’ll wear to the ‘engagement party.’
It’s a beautiful silk gown, the color of a starry night. I put on my underwear, then reach for the dress. It glides over my skin, hanging low enough to show cleavage. The slit comes high, showing my thigh.
I step into a pair of high heels and grin when I think I’ll be taller than Antonio. The bastard can look up at me because I’ll never kneel before him.
I’m wearing this dress for Nikolai.
I hear the door to my suite opening before Aurora calls out, “Abbie?
Are you dressed? Misha is with me.”
“In my bedroom,” I call out as I rush to the door.
I’m so freaking glad to see her and hug her for a long moment.
“How are you holding up?” she asks as she rubs a hand up and down my back.
“I’m trying not to panic,” I admit. “It’s been a crazy two days.”
When we pull back, I glance between my friend and Misha, then ask, “Have you spoken –”
Misha gestures for me to stop talking. He taps a finger against his ear, indicating my father might be listening.
He steps closer, and leaning into me, he whispers, “Nikolai is coming.” I grab his arm and almost let out a relieved cry.
Thank God.
Misha steps back to stand next to Aurora, and for a moment, we all just stare at each other as I process the good news.
My man is coming to get me.
Misha clears his throat. “When you’re ready, I was hoping you could show me around the property?”
“I’m ready,” I say, excited to get out of the room.
“What about your hair and makeup?” Aurora asks.
“Ugh,” I mutter. I dart back into my room and pull a brush through my hair, letting it hang down my back. Swiping on some mascara and lipstick, I turn to leave before my eyes land on the engagement ring on my table.
Letting out a sigh, I grab the ring and shove it onto my finger, once again reminding myself to keep up appearances.
During the past twenty-four hours, I’ve thought of ways to escape. Trust me, I fantasized the shit out of beating up the guards and walking out with my head held high.
But I’m one woman against an army, it would be stupid to try and escape on my own.
That’s why I’m trying to remain calm while I wait for my man to come to rescue me.
It’s not because I don’t have the guts to risk my life in an attempt to get free, but pure common sense. I don’t want to die, because I want my dream life with Nikolai, and I know there’s a risk that I’ll be killed if I try to make a run for it.
God, I miss Nikolai.
I walk back into the small sitting room and say, “I’m ready.”
As the three of us step into the hallway, two guards follow behind us.
Being the perfect mafia princess, I lift my head. “There are four bedrooms in this wing and five on the other side of the mansion.”
I’m hoping the reason Misha asked for a tour is so he can get the information to Nikolai.
“There’s a helicopter pad on the roof,” I mention before I lead my friends down the grand staircase.
I fake a chuckle as I look at Aurora. “Remember how we used to sneak out the back gate?”
She forces a burst of laughter. “Yeah, we used to get into so much trouble.”
I glance at Misha, and he subtly nods at me to continue.
When we walk to the sliding doors at the back of the mansion, and I see my father talking on his phone, I hook my arm through Aurora’s.
My father’s eyes land on us, and he mutters, “Hold on.” His eyes flick from me to Aurora to Misha, then he demands, “Where are you going?”
Smiling brightly, I answer, “I’m showing Misha the gardens.” I fake concern. “There’s time before the other guests arrive, right?”
My father stares at me, and when he’s satisfied that I’m not a flight risk, he nods. “You have ten minutes. Antonio will be here soon, and I expect you to receive your fiancé at the door.”
I want to receive Antonio with my fist breaking his nose.
“Thank you, Father,” I reply dutifully. “We won’t be long.”
The guards keep following us as we take the steps down to the garden.
Servants and catering staff are running around to get everything ready for the party. A big marquee has been erected in the middle of the garden, and tables are decorated as if there’ll be a wedding and not an engagement.
Fairy lights are being hung everywhere. There are white tablecloths, beautiful bouquets of lilies and baby’s breath, and the finest silverware.
Jesus.
Worry claws at my chest, and leaning into Aurora, I whisper, “It looks like a wedding. Tell me I’m wrong.”
I wouldn’t put it past my father to force me into marriage with Antonio at gunpoint.
There’s no way I’ll be able to say I do. Those words belong to Nikolai. “Your mother didn’t say anything about you getting married today. Your
father is just going all out to impress Antonio.”
God, I hope so.
I’m desperate to ask Misha whether he knows what time Nikolai will come, but not willing to risk it, I keep the question to myself.
Misha glances over the backyard, then nods at me. “Let me show you the ground floor,” I say cheerfully.
My father watches us like a hawk eyeing his next meal when we pass him to enter the mansion.
I show my friends the dining room, the two lounges, and the kitchen, making sure Misha sees all the entrances, then he asks, “Is there a restroom I can use?”
“Sure.” I gesture at a hallway. “It’s on your left.”
He leaves Aurora with me, and when I look at her, she asks, “How are you holding up?” Her eyes widen slightly, then she whispers, “Don’t answer. Your father is coming.”
Smiling brightly, I say, “I’m excited. Have you seen the engagement ring?” I lift my hand, and Aurora pretends to fawn over the diamond.
“Antonio is here,” my father informs me. “Give him a warm welcome.”
Warm welcome, my left tit.
Like a good little girl, I walk to the open front door. Antonio comes up the steps, dressed in an immaculate suit. When he reaches me, he grips my arm and kisses me on both cheeks.
My skin crawls at the contact, and for a horrifying moment, the memory of the rape shudders through me.
I yank away from Antonio, my breath exploding over my lips.
“Abby!” my father roars. “That’s no way to greet your fiancé.” He shakes Antonio’s hand, then apologizes, “I’m sorry. She’ll come around with time.”
Antonio shoots a glare in my direction as Aurora rushes to my side. When the men walk toward the back of the mansion, she asks, “Are you okay?”
I still haven’t told anyone but Nikolai about the rape. Alek only knows because he was there.
I give her a trembling smile. “I’m just grossed out by Antonio.”
My mother comes down the stairs, dressed in black, as if she’s attending a funeral.
It’s fitting if you ask me.
She waves a servant closer, then demands, “Open a bottle of champagne and bring me a glass.”
The servant scurries off to carry out the order while my mother walks toward us.
I watch as she and Aurora greet each other, then her eyes sweep over me. “Good choice. Antonio will like the cleavage and leg you’re showing.”
Disgust wells in my chest. “Wow, that’s real classy, Mother.”
She takes the glass of champagne from the server, then chuckles, “The sooner you learn a man is only interested in what’s between your legs, the better.”
Holy shit, she did not just say that to me.
I gape at the woman who gave birth to me and ask, “Do you love me at all?”
She starts to saunter toward the back of the mansion, muttering, “Love isn’t a luxury people like us can afford.”
“Wow,” Aurora mutters. “That was harsh.”
She rubs a comforting hand up and down my back.
Misha joins us, then he says, “Can I borrow Aurora for a second?”
“Oh…okay,” I reply. “Meet me out back. My father will shit himself if I don’t join them.”
Misha takes hold of Aurora’s hand and leads her to the kitchen. Letting out a sigh, I head back to the garden again.