Page 56 of Ruthless Lullaby

I wrinkle my nose. "No need to be sarcastic," I retort. "You would have asked the same question if you were in my shoes."

He leans closer to me. "I can answer all your questions after takeoff,lisichka," he says, taking my hand. "But we need to go. Pavel is waiting."

"Pavel? The same Pavel who kidnapped me off the streets of New York and tucked me in your car against my will?"

"No need to be sarcastic," he smirks. "And yes, the same Pavel. He's my second-in-command and will be our pilot today."

“Ourpilot?”

“Yes.”

"Does he even have a license?"

Maron stops and turns to face me, his expression serious. He gives me a stern look. "Enough questions, for now."

"You can't just force me onto a plane!" I protest. "I have the right to know what's going on!"

"When did this become a democracy? I already explained this," Maron snaps back. "We're flying to Moscow for a few days. You'll have everything you need once we get there. That's all you need to know for now."

I open my mouth to argue, but then quickly close it again. This is insane, I think to myself. Completely and utterly insane. What the hell is happening in my life? I few days ago I was plain Jane in a corporate job trying to make ends meet, and now, I’m about to get on a private jet to fly to Moscow? A few hours after being practically kidnapped?

Suddenly, Maron's demeanor softens and he cups my face in his hands, looking into my eyes. "You'll be okay, Mindy. Trust me on this."

I give him a doubtful look and shake my head. The wind howls through my mind, making me feel chilled to the bone. "How do you expect me to trust you? I barely know you!” I throw my hands up in exasperation.

He stares into my eyes and holds my face firmly. “You have no other choice,lisichka.”

Asshole.

I don’t say anything back. I’m certain it would be useless.

My legs wobble like jelly as I awkwardly ascend the stairs. As I enter the interior of the plane and the door behind me shuts,a sigh of relief escapes my lips. "It’s a lot warmer in here," I say, still shivering.

"Take a minute to thaw out," Maron replies, smirking. The comforting warmth surrounds me, easing the tension in my body.

As I look around, my jaw drops in awe. Holy Mother of Christ. If I didn’t know better, I’d think we’re inside a luxury suite. The plane reeks of wealth. No, it’s not even a plane, it's a flying penthouse. The interior is unlike anything I've ever seen before - all plush leather seats and gleaming chrome, worlds away from the cramped economy class I'm used to.

Maron gestures for me to take a seat, his eyes not leaving mine. "Make yourself comfortable," he says. "It will be a long flight to Moscow."

"Is this your plane?" I ask, my mouth still hanging open in amazement.

Maron nods and grins. "Want to take a closer look?"

He leads me through the interior, and I can't help but gape at the sheer extravagance of it all. The living room is a study in opulence, with plush velvet sofas that seem to beckon me to sink into their depths. Yes, there is aliving room. At least that’s what Maron calls it. In the middle of it, a huge flat-screen TV flickers to life as we pass, displaying a breathtaking aerial view of the city below.

"Wow," I breathe, running my fingers over the gleaming mahogany tables. "This is beautiful."

Maron smiles, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. "Wait till you see the rest."

He guides me to the kitchen, and my jaw drops all over again. He could run a freaking cooking show here if he wanted. Sleek stainless steel appliances glint under the soft lighting. I trail my hand over the marble countertops, marveling at the cool, smooth texture.

The bathroom also takes my breath away, with its huge marble tub and rainfall shower. I’ve never been the gold digger type or a sucker for luxury, but dammit, I can't help but imagine myself lounging in that tub, surrounded by fragrant bubbles and soft candlelight.

"This looks incredible," I tell Maron. "I've never seen anything like it."

"Glad you like it," he says, still smirking.

We make our way back to the main cabin, where a dining table is set with gleaming silver and crystal. Maron disappears for a moment, then reappears, followed by a server with a tray of food.

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