Page 5 of Sacred Vow

It occurs to me I can lie, but he’ll just ask for my ID, if he’s any good at his job, and I doubt Andrei hires anyone inept at their job.

“Who wants to know?” At least my voice doesn’t shake.

“She hasn’t done anything wrong.” Marlena loops her arm through mine again. “We’ll leave.” She tugs on me.

“Come with us.” Marine man crooks his finger.

“Both of you,” the guy to the right says, same fierce expression, longer hair pulled into a ponytail at the base of his neck.

“What for?” I hold my ground.

“Maybe we should just leave, Izzy. Let’s just go.” She tugs again. “Seriously, you don’t want to fuck with the Petrovs. Let’s go.”

“She’s not going anywhere,” Marine man confirms. “Either come with us willingly, or we’ll have to bring you.”

I’m not sure what the hell that means, but by the look of these gladiators, I’m sure I don’t want to find out.

“Fine. We’ll follow you.” I gesture for him to get moving.

“Izzy,” Marlena hisses in my ear. “I’d really rather not.”

“I don’t think we have a choice,” I respond, but I’m sure my words are lost to the music as we embark on our little parade toward a door in the back. The crowd opens up like the Red Sea as our entourage escorts us, one man in the front and the other two in the back. I suppose making a run for it won’t work.

We’re brought to an office down a labyrinth of hallways.

“Stay here,” Marine man orders, shutting the door behind us.

“Izzy. What the fuck!” Marlena pulls her phone out and starts tapping away. “What are we going to do?”

“I don’t know.” I make my way around the office, every step a painful reminder that my feet were not made for four-inch heels.

She mutters more to herself, texting and swiping.

“Marlena. Are you okay?”

“I would really rather not be in here right now.” She’s panicking.

“Nothing’s going to happen,” I assure her. “Don’t worry.” If only I could take my own advice.

“It’s not that. I mean it’s not Andrei Petrov… it’s just…” Before she can finish her explanation, the door to the office opens.

Everything inside of me clenches.

Andrei steps inside, another man right behind him. As soon as his intense brown eyes hit me, my breath catches and every ounce of rage I’ve held onto for the last seven years balls into a weight in my stomach.

I’d been too surprised at the bar when he popped up out of nowhere to really react to him being there. This time is different. This time he’s had me dragged away from the crowd and dumped in his office.

“Isolde.” Andrei utters my name with a voice as smooth as aged whiskey.

“Izzy,” I correct him again. No one calls me by my full name. My mother didn’t, not even when I was in trouble.

Andrei ignores me and looks to my left, at Marlena. He raises an eyebrow, then turns to his associate.

“Viktor, do me a favor and take that one outside.” He points to Marlena.

I step in front of her.

“No. She stays with me.” I try to put my arms out to protect her, but she’s already moving around them.

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