Page 2 of Adored By Them
It’s true.I feel way too goddamn much.I’m fucking furious.I shouldn’t have fallen for her.None of this should have happened.The first time I even looked at her, at that party all those months ago, I should have thought about what would come.Nothing good.
“It was a mistake to trust the Laytons with security.”Sergey’s tone is cold, clinical.“We’ll find my granddaughter, and the wedding is off.”
“You were welcome to bring your own security,” my father says.Does his face have any expression other than disdain, ever?I don’t think it does.It’s a wonder Caleb’s mother can stand looking at that curled lip, those angry eyes.
“Why should we, when you said you had it handled?”Sergey doesn’t wait for a response.He strides away, making a call.No doubt, he’s gathering allies to help him find Danica.
“This entire arrangement was ill-conceived.”My father speaks to no one and to the group at large.
My grandfather stares at Sergey’s back.“Perhaps you are correct, son.”
So it’s back to that, I guess.The two families bickering, fighting, maybe even killing each other.
“I’ll follow up with the guards.”Troy’s tone is neutral, but I know him too well.I can hear the panic underneath.
“No need.”Father waves a hand in dismissal.“The Aseyevs can take care of their own.The alliance is over.”
“That’s what Vorsong Circle wants.”Those are the first words I’ve spoken in several minutes.Everyone turns to look at me.I clear my throat and consciously unclench my fists.“Vorsong Circle took her because it would cause us to fight with each other.If we want to lose San Esteban, we’re on the right track.”
My father scoffs.“We aren’t in danger of losing anything.Go home, Edmund.Let the Aseyevs deal with their own problems.”
Taking a step forward, I get ready to tell my father exactly what I think about his carelessness, his cruelty, the way his lack of feelings borders on psychopathy—but Troy’s phone goes off.
The Backstreet Boys.“I Want It That Way.”
“Sorry, sorry,” Troy rushes to say, sounding embarrassed.
He isn’t embarrassed.He did it on purpose, again.
I squash down my feelings of rage and fear, then turn on my heel and nod at Troy.“Let’s go.And turn off that fucking music.”
We climb into his truck, still wearing our tuxes.I tear off the jacket and loosen everything that can be loosened.Troy starts the truck and pulls onto the street.
“We aren’t going home, are we?”I ask.
He takes a right on Washburne.“I told Caleb to meet us at his.”
Only now do I see the panic in his eyes.He feels just like I do—he’s just better at hiding it.
“We’ll get her back.”I stare hard at the road ahead.“I know she’s going to be okay.”
“Yeah.”His voice is gruff.“I know.”
But the truth of it is, neither of us really knows.
* * *
Danica
The trunk opens, letting in light.I wince at the brightness and open my mouth to scream.
A rough hand connects with my face, brutal in the hit, then immediately covers my mouth.
The pain in my jaw is blunt and begins to throb.I blink several times, trying to clear the stars from my vision.
My attacker has sandy brown hair, cruel blue eyes, and a disconcerting smile on his face.
“Danica Montrose.”He stares as I struggle beneath the weight of his hand on my mouth.“I didn’t expect you to wake so soon.Up you go.You can try to scream, but it won’t do any good.In fact, it will probably annoy me.”
