Page 74 of Arranged with Twins
“You don’t know him as well as you think.”
“I worked under him for years, little girl.” Adrian’s voice turns hard. “He trained me and groomed me to take over parts of his empire. I know exactly how his mind works and which pressure points will break his resolve. Getting one of your fingers will certainly get his attention.”
The casual way he refers to torture makes my skin crawl, but I refuse to let him see my fear. “If you hurt me, he’ll kill you.”
“If he tries, you’ll die first.” Adrian moves closer again, still holding a knife. “Leo has many strengths, but he’s predictable. His need to protect you will be his downfall. He lost his parents, and he won’t risk losing someone else he cares about again.” He trails the knife along my collarbone, just hard enough to scratch the skin without drawing blood. The cold metal raises goosebumps across my shoulders and arms.
“Please.” The word escapes before I can stop it. “I’m pregnant.”
Adrian pauses, the knife hovering near my throat. “Pregnant?” His voice carries surprise and calculating interest.
“Twins.” I force out the words, hoping this information might make him reconsider his plans. “I’m carrying twins.”
“How interesting.” Adrian’s expression shifts, becoming more predatory. “Katherine failed to mention that particular detail.”
Relief floods through me briefly. Mother didn’t know about the pregnancy, so maybe there’s some part of this betrayal that wasn’t completely calculated. Maybe she didn’t know she was condemning her own grandchildren. “She doesn’t know.”I watch Adrian’s face carefully. “Neither of my parents know about the babies.”
“Then you’ve just made yourself considerably more valuable.” Adrian’s smile widens. “Leo’s weakness for protecting people extends even further when children are involved, and I imagine especially his own children.”
My hope dies. Telling him about the pregnancy didn’t earn any mercy. I just handed him another weapon to use against Leo. I close my eyes and think of his face when he saw the ultrasound images, the wonder and fear and love that transformed his features. Then I think of the nursery he built with two cribs, the careful way he touches my growing belly, and the future he’s planning for our family, drawing strength from each.
“He’ll come for me.” The words come out stronger than I feel.
“I’m counting on it.” He removes the knife from my throat and returns to his chair. “First though, we’re going to have some fun while we wait.”
Two men enter the room. They’re both large, armed, and look at me like I’m prey. One carries a video camera.
“Smile, Sienna.” Adrian’s voice carries mocking warmth. “We’re going to send your fiancé a message.”
The man with the camera sets up a tripod while the other moves behind my chair. The coldness of metal makes me shiver when one of them presses a gun barrel against the back of my skull.
“Tell Leo you’re safe,” Adrian says, positioning himself where the camera can capture both of us. “For now.”
The red recording light blinks on. I stare directly into the lens, refusing to look away despite my terror. “Leo, if you’re watchingthis, don’t give him what he wants. Don’t trade your empire for me.”
The gun presses harder against my head. “That’s not the script I had in mind.”
“I don’t care.” I keep my voice steady even as my heart pounds. “Leo, remember what you told me about your parents. Don’t let him destroy what they built for you.”
Adrian’s expression darkens. “Cut the camera.”
The recording stops, but the gun remains pressed to my skull. “You’re going to regret that defiance.”
“I already regret trusting my parents.” The words come out bitter and raw. “Everything else is just details.”
“Katherine warned me you had a stubborn streak.” He signals to his men, who step back but remain in the room, weapons visible. “She said you’d need firm guidance to cooperate.”
“Mother said that?” The betrayal cuts deeper each time I learn something new about their planning.
“She was very thorough in her assessment of your personality.” He shakes his head. “She suggested several methods to ensure your compliance.”
I think about all the conversations I had with my mother growing up, and all the ways she criticized my independence and tried to mold me into her vision of the perfect daughter. Now those same observations have become a manual for breaking me.
“She provided quite detailed intelligence about your schedule, your security detail’s routines, and even your emotionalvulnerabilities.” Adrian examines the blade with professional interest. “Your mother is remarkably good at strategic thinking when her lifestyle is threatened.”
The scope of her betrayal stuns me. Mother didn’t just hand me over to Adrian. She gave him a roadmap for using me most effectively against Leo.
“Leo will find me,” I repeat, needing to believe it’s true.
