Page 79 of Twisted Prince
Though I’m confident she’s only saying that because she’s desperate and concerned for her child’s safety, I can’t turn her away. I could never turn my back on Mel.
“I’m on my way,” I promise. “But it’s going to take me some time to get there. And I’ll need to pick up a few things on my way. Are you in any immediate danger?”
“N-No, I don’t think so.”
“Vinny didn’t threaten you? Does he suspect you don’t want to marry him?” I press.
“No, I was too scared to tell him. I told him I needed to use the restroom before my break was over. Then I came in here to call you.”
“You did good, Mel,” I assure her. “Can you pull it together enough to finish your shift?”
“Yeah,” she says confidently, though I can still hear the tremble in her voice.
“Good. That will buy us some time. If no one thinks anything’s wrong, they’ll be less likely to keep an eye on you. Think you can have yourself and Gabby all packed up and ready to go by tomorrow morning?” My feet pad quickly down the concrete steps of my condominium, carrying me to the underground garage and my bike parked by the door.
“I’ll make it happen,” she assures me.
“Good. I’ll be there as soon as I can to pick you up. In the meantime, tell no one about any of this. You understand?” Reaching my Triumph Daytona, I sling a leg over and kick up the stand.
“Yes,” she murmurs. “I’ve got to go. My break’s over.”
“You’ve got this,” I assure her.
“Gleb?”
“Mmm.”
“Thank you,” she breathes.
I swallow hard, beating back the wave of emotion that threatens to consume me. “Of course.”
As soon as the call ends, I’m on the phone again, eager to get on the road as soon as I can.
“V chem delo?” Pyotr answers, his tone gruff. What’s wrong? he asked in our mother tongue. He knows I wouldn’t disturb his precious family time if it weren’t important, so he cut right to the point.
“I need to borrow a car… and a car seat. And if you’re feeling generous, I could use some advice.”
34
MEL
Shoving clothes into the same duffle bag I fled New York with three years ago, I listen to the happy sounds of my daughter eating breakfast with Kieri. The woman’s a saint, agreeing to watch Gabby without hesitation, not even a question of why I might need the extra help.
I would be nowhere without Kieri, and my heart twists to think about leaving her. But I have to. I can’t stay. The alternative would just be too terrible.
Bile rises in my throat, and I swallow hard at the thought of marrying Vincent Kelly, of carrying his child someday. I would rather drop dead.
And leaving Gabby behind? Turning her over to the foster system?
Hell will sooner freeze over.
I could never go through with it.
I can’t marry Vinny.
I know my reasons for agreeing to it in the first place were justified. I would have done just about anything to save Gleb’s life. I lied. I broke my own heart and forced myself to watch him walk out of my life. Because that was all I could do to protect him.
But I won’t give up my daughter. Not for anything. Not for anyone.
