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)
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.
Chapter 38
Nikolai
Stalking into my parents' house with Dad right behind me, I mutter, “I’m fucking going to kill everyone.”
“You can’t,” Dad reminds me.
“How did the run go?” Mom asks as she comes out of the kitchen.
“Good. The diamonds are high quality,” Dad answers.
Mom’s eyes lock on my face, “What’s wrong?”
“Abigail’s father removed her from St. Monarch’s. He’s arranging a marriage for her with Antonio Vittori,” I growl, barely able to say the words out loud.
A dark frown forms on Mom’s face as she gasps, “What the hell?”