Page 55 of Cruel Bet

“But I don’t want to be part of it. Nothing’s changed, Nikolai, we can’t be together. I can’t go with you. I won’t.”

I can tell from the defiant glint in her eye that she won’t change her mind. Once Arianna’s decided something she’s as stubborn as a mule. There’s no use arguing with her. And there’s no way I’m leaving her to fend for herself.

“Fine. If you’re determined to be stupid and reckless, then you leave me no choice,” I state calmly approaching her as I reach into my pocket.

“So, what? You’re going to throw me over your shoulder and carry me there, are you?” she snips sarcastically.

“Yes,” I reply simply as I push the plunger of the needle into her soft skin.

Her eyes widen with alarm as she realizes what I did.

“Nikolai, what did you do?” she says, her voice already slurring as she slowly loses consciousness.

"What I had to. I'm going to keep you and Mads state," I reply as she falls into the deep, dreamless sleep of the sedated.

Chapter 32

Nikolai

“You drugged her?” Kimiko yells down the phone.

“Yes. It was the only way. Now, get here and bring Endo,” I demand. I don’t wait for her response before I hang up.

I gently lay Arianna down on the sofa before heading back into the kitchen.

“Where Mommy?” Mads asks when she notices I’m alone.

“Mommy was sleepy so she’s taking a nap.”

“Okay, play wiv me?” she asks in her toddler lisp, so sweet and trusting.

When the others arrive a short while later, Mads and I are sitting on the floor playing, surrounded by an array of stuffed animals, dolls, and a tea set.

“Well, that’s a sight I never thought I’d see,” Endo quips, grinning at me.

“Auntie Kimmi!” Mads cries, reaching her pudgy hands up toward Kimiko.

“There’s my favorite girl, I missed you!” Kimiko says, picking her up and cuddling her.

“Mommy’s sleepy” Mads announces.

“Is she?” Kimiko says, glaring at me pointedly over the top of Mads’ head.

I just shrug. I’m not going to apologize for doing what had to be done. “Take Mads, we’ll bring Arianna along after you.”

“Come on Mads, we’re going to go on an airplane to America!” Kimiko announces in a falsely cheerful tone.

“Yay!” Mads declares, seemingly unaware of the tension between the adults.

I carry a sleeping Arianna into the back of the car, thinking about how similar this feels to the first time we met. I only hope she can forgive me and realize that I did what was best for her and Mads. That I’m keeping her safe.

We’re five thousand miles high and just about to cross into US airspace aboard my private jet when Arianna wakes. She blinks, slowly opening her eyes. Panic sets in as she wakes and doesn’t recognize where she is.

“Mads!” she cries out in a strangled voice.

“I’m right here Mommy! You were sleepy!” Mads giggles from where she’s been sitting next to Kimiko, gazing out of the window the entire time.

“Hey,” Kimiko says, looking visibly uncomfortable.

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