Page 31 of Captive Vows
I laughed once, wryly. “Why do you think I haven’t been giving youanyof my words?”
He gave me a hard glare. “No more silence.”
“Fine.” I doubted he’d kidnapped me to hear me talk, anyway.
“What were you saying?” he asked, undeterred. “About not being done.”
I shrugged, sheepish that I’d said anything in my moment of fear. “Just that I’m not ready to die. I’m only twenty-two. I used to think that I had my whole life ahead of me.” I narrowed my eyes. “Which is clearly false. That’s why it’s ironic that you’d tell me that my life isn’t over on your watch.”
“Are you doubting that I will keep what is mine safe?”
Does he even realize how he objectifies me and makes me a thing and not a person?
“No. But it’s bullshit to callthis”—I gestured at the room—“a life. I’m a captive… whatever. Hell, I don’t know what I am. A thing. A possession. A… hostage?”
“I’m not negotiating with anyone to release you,” he stated plainly.
“Okay, then I’m back to square one of having no clue why you’re keeping me here.” Now I stood. Then I took a step away. He was too tempting to lean on and the fact remained that I could only count on myself.
How the hell can I lean on you when you’re the reason I’m here at all?
“I am keeping you because your father owed me.”
“Great.” I flung my arms up. “Great. I’m a transaction.” I backpedaled toward the bathroom, hoping a long, hot shower could reset my head straight again after that scare and Luka’s comfort. “I’m a thing that was traded in a business transaction. Got it. Thanks for clearing that up.”
“What do you want to be?” he demanded, getting to his feet and following me as I beat a hasty retreat.
“What?” I stopped, pissed that he’d tease me. “Don’t be this cruel. You won’t release me. You just said it yourself. What point is there to sharing my dreams with you when they won’t happen?” Before he could reach me, I slammed the door shut and locked it.
He could break in. I knew he could. He owned this big-ass mansion.
But he didn’t. I stood there staring at the door for a moment until I heard him leave.
After starting the shower and getting in, I shook my head and dismissed the possibility that he could actuallycare.
11
LUKA
“Is she okay?”
I turned toward Alexsei as he approached me outside the dining room.
“I heard about Petyr coming back shot up and drugged. He was looking for you to give you a head’s up about the activity uptown, but he found her in her room.”
I nodded. “She was startled.”
“But unharmed?”
I nodded again.
“Good.” Then he furrowed his brow and glanced at me. “Thatisgood, isn’t it?”
I sighed, peeved to be questioned like this.
“Sorry, Uncle. It’s just that none of us can tell what your plan is with her.”
Count me in on that.I was just as confused. “Neither do I.”
