Page 9 of Taken By Him

“You kidnapped someone’s wife?” I ask before I can stop myself. Did I think him less capable of evil than my father? They live in the same world, work the same business, but I never saw anything of my father’s work. He sheltered us from all of it. It’s one of the few kindnesses he’s paid me over the years.

Dominik ignores my question. “It’s going to take a while to get home. You can nap if you’d like. I’m sure you’re tired from your party tonight,” he says, looking out the window, away from me.

I curl my fingers into my palms, pressing my nails into my skin. It hurts, burns, but it floods me with relief. This pain I understand, and I welcome it.

Over the next half hour, I stare out my window at the streetlamps along the highway. The sun is climbing back into the sky and by the time we turn off the exit, the streetlights have all gone to sleep.

The front gates of Dominik’s estate open as soon as the car pulls up. After a short drive up a winding driveway, the car pulls up to a large American foursquare house. Flowers bloom in the garden along the front of the house and more in planters hang off the wooden deck. I expected something more...severe looking.

His door is opened by the driver and he steps out, standing to the side and offering his hand to me. I look from his hand to the house. It’s beautiful. More inviting than the all-brick bungalow that my father lives in, but I don’t let the contrasts in architecture trick me. I’m only moving from one prison to another. And this one has a locked gate around it.

I slide across the back seat and climb out of the car, ignoring his hand. There’s no need to pretend manners.

Dominik wraps his hand around my upper arm and leads me forward up the steps. Once inside the house, Dominik is greeted by a similar looking man. He’s a little shorter than Dominik, but his arrogance is just as loud.

“Jakub, you didn’t have to wait,” Dominik says.

“I didn’t think you’d be this late,” Jakub says, giving me a cursory glance then moving back to Dominik.

“It’s been a night.” Dominik drops his hand from my arm. The driver of the car brings in my suitcase and Dominik gestures toward the stairs. “Put those in the room next to mine. She’ll stay there for the time being.”

My own room. I suppose I should be grateful, but there’s still a sense of dread bubbling in my stomach. Everything has happened so quickly; I’m only now beginning to fully grasp my situation.

I don’t know Dominik. Who is he to my father and why did he do this? I have no idea what’s to become of me once this all plays out.

“Kasia, this is my brother.” He turns to Jakub. “Jakub, this is Kasia Garska.” Dominik places his hand on the small of my back. A gesture of ownership, I think, with the way he pulls me closer to him.

I extend my hand toward Jakub. “It’s nice to meet you,” I say. Not because I mean it, but because I’m acting on autopilot.

I need to get alone. I need to work all of this out in my mind.

Jakub’s hand is gentler than Dominik’s, but just as large. This man is as dangerous, I can feel it in my bones.

“Same here, Kasia. It will be nice to have some beauty in this house.” He grins at me, but his gaze flickers to Dominik. Seeking his approval maybe. My father never cared for attention paid my mother so long as it made his business easier.

A flash of a memory hits me, but within a blink it’s gone.

Dominik brushes his hand over mine, taking me from Jakub’s grip. “Kasia, go up to your room and wait for me. I’ll be there shortly.” He gestures behind me, and the man from earlier is back. He’s my escort. Or my prison guard.

“Wait for you?” I yank my hand free from him. My level of patience has reached its limit. I’ve been sold, then traded, and now I’m to heel like some dog and wait for my master to come to my room? It’s too much.

Dominik must sense it, because he turns to me, blocking Jakub’s view of me. He knuckles my chin up until my eyes line with his. There are those cold, blue eyes again, peering down at me like I’m nothing more than an object to be bought. His possession now, I suppose. I wonder how much my ticket price was.

“Don’t cause trouble, Kasia. Go on upstairs and I’ll come soon. I know you have questions, but not until we’re in private.” He softens his hand, cupping my cheek and running his thumb along my cheek bone.

“I’d like my phone back,” I say quietly, matching him. He obviously doesn’t want Jakub to hear our conversation, and I have no need for a witness either.

“I already said not yet. Don’t ask me again, Kasia. I’m being patient, but don’t take that as a weakness.”

“Patient?” My eyes widen with my question. He can’t be serious.

He doesn’t respond with words, only caresses my cheek again before dropping his hand. There’s a tingle where his touch was.

“Go on,” he says with a flick of his head. A signal, I suppose, that I’ve been dismissed.

When I don’t move, he leans in, his warm breath washing over my cheek.

“Rule number two. Always do as you’re told,” he whispers in my ear.

---