Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 78264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
I shake my head. “As the director of St. Monarch’s, you need to stay out of this.”
We quickly hug before I rush out of the castle so I can get home and gather my army. When I climb into the armored SUV, I pull my phone out.
I know the chances that Abigail will answer are slim, and her phone has probably been confiscated, but still, I dial her number.
‘Hi, you’ve reached Abigail. I can’t come to the phone right now, but if you leave a message, I’ll call you back. Bye.’
I dial the number again so I can just listen to her voice while the SUV drives to the airfield where my private jet is waiting.
When the phone beeps for me to leave a message, I growl, “I’m coming for you, moya lyubov'.”
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?”