Page 34 of Wicked Embers

Heat creeps up my neck as memories of last night and this morning flood my mind. “I… uh, let’s just say I’m not an old maid anymore.”

There’s a pause, followed by Sabrina’s gasp. “You slept with him?”

“Yeah. More than once.” My voice is barely above a whisper. “And before you say anything, it wasn’t like I had much choice.”

“Fuck Leigh…” Her tone is a mix of concern and disbelief. “Did he… did he rape you?”

“No, no!” I interrupt, trying to find the words. “More like he seduced me.” I swallow hard. “He was… I don’t know how to explain it. Gentle, thoughtful even. And he made me feel things I didn’t think my body was capable of feeling.”

“Goddamn,” Sabrina mutters. “I always pegged him as the dark, sexy type who’d know his way around a woman’s body.”

A surprised laugh escapes me, cutting through the tension. “Yeah, well, you were right.”

Her laughter joins mine for a brief moment before we both fall silent, the weight of reality settling back in.

“Just hang tight, Leigh,” Sabrina says finally. “I’ll think of something. In the meantime, don’t do anything reckless, okay?”

“Okay,” I promise, even though I know it’s a lie. “This place, from the little I’ve seen so far, is like Fort Knox. Every layer of security reminds me just how outmatched I am, but I’ll figure out a way.”

“Then please, don’t try anything, Leigh.” Sabrina goes quiet for a few seconds. “Don’t alert him that you’re thinking of an escape, or he’ll double down on security. Especially if he’s not willing to let you go.”

After a few more words and my promise not to do anything dumb, we hang up. I find a new hiding spot for my phone, take a deep breath, and unlock the door. Determined to keep my cool, I step out.

Glancing out the windows, I decide to take a tour of the grounds and get a feel for the layout of the land. I walk through the large, masculine room, deliberately avoiding the sight of the big bed dominating it, or the vivid memories it stirs about a similar bed. I yank the bedroom door open.

Outside my door, Fredrik stands like a sentinel—not that I’m surprised to see him there.

“Oh, hello,” I say, arching an eyebrow. “Are you my human pit bull now? My very own Bratva guard dog!”

The corner of his mouth twitches with a hint of a smile. “Something like that.”

“Awesome!” I start to walk down the hallway, and Fredrik follows closely behind me.

He tilts his head. “Where are you headed?”

I shrug and start to turn back toward the room. “If you give me a minute, I’ll write up an itinerary for you.”

He rolls his eyes and shakes his head. “I’m with you regardless of where you’re going. I just thought I’d ask. You know, making conversation.”

“I’m going for a walk around the gardens,” I tell him.

“Let me guess. You’re staking out weaknesses to escape?”

My heart skips a beat, but I recover quickly, forcing a laugh. “As if. I wouldn’t even know where to start in this fortress.”

Fredrik chuckles, his knowing look saying more than words could.

“Actually, I was going to map out a running route,” I lie, then frown. “As my shadow, you might as well make yourself useful and give me the grand tour.” I grin sweetly. “Maybe you even know of a good running path. You look like a fit guy.”

Fredrik leads me through sprawling, movie-worthy grounds—manicured gardens, sunlit fountains, and timeless sculptures. There’s an outdoor heated pool surrounded byluxury cabanas, equestrian stables with sleek, powerful horses, and even a private vineyard.

But it’s the security that catches my attention. Discreet cameras are tucked into the corners of the grounds, and motion sensors blink faintly along the pathways. Guards patrol the perimeter. Their presence is subtle but undeniable.

“So, this is how the other half lives,” I mutter, more to myself than Fredrik.

“Well, the Bratva other half.” He grins. “While the other estates dotted around this area have good security, I can assure you they’re not as heavily guarded as this place.”

“Is that a subtle warning, Freddie?”

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