Page 61 of Idaho

"Okay." I didn't have it in me to fight him anymore. It was over. Even with those men attacking us and finding out that Richard was behind it, nothing would take away the joy I'd felt while I was here. The small taste of freedom would have to hold me over for, possibly, the rest of my life. Father was going to take me home, marry me off to some stuffy aristocrat, and effectively drown me in misery for the remainder of my life. The fact that he was personally coming to get me was the last nail in my coffin.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Tatiana."

"Okay, Papa." I hung up the phone, trying to hold back the sobs that were attempting to break free of my chest. Strong arms wrapped around me and it was as if the dam inside me burst. Tears poured down my cheeks as I cried on Idaho's shoulder. His shirt and cut were soaked by the time I pulled myself together enough to sit back and look at him.

"Sorry," I whispered, wiping at the wet spot on his shoulder.

"Don't worry about it," he replied. "You okay?"

I shrugged. "What choice do I have?"

He sighed and stood up, lifting me with him. He set me on my feet, then grabbed my hand and led me to the kitchen. He pulled out the chair for me at the table, then got busy making something at the stove.

I looked down as he set a glance in front of me. "What is it?"

"Whiskey. Sorry I don't have anything fancy, other than wine, and you need something with more kick."

Wrapping my hand around the glass, I stared down into the amber liquid.

"Are you afraid of him?"

My eyes flashed up to his. "God, no. I love him. I just-"

"Hate your life."

I nodded. That statement summed it all up. There was nothing else to say.

"Drink it, Eva."

Obeying, I lifted the glass and took a small sip. I gasped as the alcohol burned a trail down my throat to where it settled in my belly.

"More."

I did as he said, taking another drink. This one went down smoother. He sat across from me at the table and we drank in silence for a few minutes.

"What do you want to do?" he asked.

I knew he meant about my father. About the meeting tomorrow. But the question made me think. This was likely to be my last night in America. My last night with Idaho. I'd never see him again once I left here. The thought made me want to cry all over again.

"Eva?" he prompted when I didn't answer him.

Taking a deep breath for courage, I tipped the glass back and downed what was left of the whiskey in the glass. It took some doing not to cough after the fact. I knew what I wanted.

Idaho watched me set the glass down and stand with a suspicious look on his face. It morphed into hunger when I walked over to where he was sitting and straddled him, sitting on his lap.

"I want you to make love to me."

A muscle in his jaw flexed as he ground his teeth together. "That's not a good idea."

"You didn't seem to mind earlier," I replied.

"Heat of the moment. You're a fucking-"

I didn't want to hear it. It didn't matter anymore that he was in this for some kind of favor from my father. He was strong, and sexy, and I didn't want to go back to my mundane life while still a virgin. I was tired of always following the rules. Slamming my lips down onto his, I took control of my own destiny.

CHAPTER 21

Eva

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