Instead, I found cops.
“Mrs. Romanov, we received a report of an incident in this room. Can you step outside with us for a moment?”
Before I could respond, one of them firmly grasped my arm, yanking me to my feet. Cold metal snapped around my wrists.
“You have the right to remain silent...”
“Wait! What?!” My mind reeled. “I just got here! I didn’t...”
Where were the bodyguards? They had been right behind me.
Fear gripped me as I was dragged out of the room. My breath came fast, erratic. This isn’t happening.
There had to be CCTV cameras, right? Someone would see I had nothing to do with this?
I was shoved into the back of a police car. My panic only grew as the vehicle pulled onto a dirt road, its speed increasing.
This wasn’t normal.
I leaned forward. “Is your station this far?”
One of the men turned in his seat, smirking. “Shut up, woman.”
No.
Their professionalism was gone.
My stomach twisted as realization dawned. They weren’t cops.
The car lurched to a stop in front of an abandoned building.
The door opened.
And then I saw her.
Valentina.
She strolled toward me, cigarette in hand, amusement curling her lips.
“Did you really think we wouldn’t get you?”
I swallowed hard.
“Grandma,” I whispered, shaking my head. “Not again.”
“I’m not going to hurt you, sweetheart. Never again.” Grandma’s voice was soft, almost sorrowful. “But I’m afraid you must return to your father. We’ve renegotiated our terms.”
A sharp pain ripped through my chest. My throat tightened as I whispered, “They will kill me.”
“No, dear.” She walked toward me and brushed my cheek with her warm hands. “They won’t harm you, sweetheart. They only want what’s best for you. You belong with them.”
“No. I don’t want to go back.” My voice cracked.
Grandma sighed, as if I were being unreasonable. “Why? You knew this marriage was temporary. Why are you acting like your parents’ home is suddenly a hell?”
“Because it is.” My voice cracked.
If I returned to my father, that would be the end of me. He would never let me escape him again.
