Page 61 of Vendetta Vows

Hannah's laughter comes through the speaker. "Welcome to the world of Loro Piana, where basic is beautiful and expensive as hell."

"This is insane." I pinch the fabric between my fingers, half expecting it to turn into gold. "And it doesn't even fit me right! It's too big in the shoulders."

"Oh honey," Hannah's voice drips with amusement. "Ruslan can probably have someone tailor it for you if you really want. Something tells me he can afford it."

I can't help a giggle, and I hear Hannah muster up a tiny laugh on the other end as well. Suddenly, I feel some of the tension of the past two days melt away just a little bit.

This tiny bit of normality is a welcoming breath of fresh air in place of all the death and insanity.

"So, a real tower? Like an actual fucking princess tower?" Hannah asks.

"Complete with a call button for service." I laugh. "I press it and this woman named Daria appears with whatever I want."

"Look at you! Just living your best Rapunzel life while I'm down here eating leftover Chinese food."

"The bathroom has heated floors, Hannah. And one of those rainfall showers that hits you from like six different directions."

"Oh my God, I've never been more jealous in my life."

I smile despite myself. "I'm half expecting him to present me with a bill for services rendered when I leave."

"Or demand your firstborn child," Hannah quips. "VeryBeauty and the Beast."

"If getting waited on hand and foot makes me Belle, I'll take it," I say, feeling some of the tension ease between us. "Temporarily, of course."

Hannah goes silent for a moment, and when she starts talking again, gravity seeps back into her voice.

"Look, Aurora, I know this all seems nice right now." she says. "What with the luxury, the services, and the ridiculously expensive clothes. And I'm glad you're safe right now. But be careful, okay? Nothing in life is free. And things can change fast with men like him. He's holding all the cards, and that tower he's keeping you in can turn into a prison real quick."

Her words sink into me like a boulder plummeting in the ocean.

"I know, Hannah."

I twist a loose thread on the expensive blouse between my fingers.

Ruslan has power over everything right now.

Including life and death.

The image flashes in my mind. One moment my attacker was alive, knife raised above me. The next, he was nothing but dead weight crushing my body.

I shudder at the memory of warm blood spraying across my face.

"I just don't want you to get hurt," Hannah continues.

"I'll be careful," I promise, meaning it. "I know what I'm getting into."

Do I, though? Do I really?

"Good," Hannah says, but I can tell she's not convinced. "And don't be a stranger, okay? Keep me updated. I want to know you're safe."

"I will."

"I mean it. Text me. Call me. Send me stupidly expensive selfies from your princess tower."

I laugh, though there's an ache building in my chest. It feels like a goodbye, even though neither of us is saying it.

"Alright," Hannah continues, her voice softening. "Go enjoy those heated floors and six-headed rain showers. Don't let all those seven-thousand-dollar blouses go to waste."

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