Page 8 of The Pakhan's Kidnapped Bride
“You know your way around, Anya, but let me make it clear from the moment you set foot inside: you are a prisonerhere. You are not to leave the grounds, you are not to attempt any escape. You are to do anything I ask, and I suggest you stay out of my way.”
I glare at him, anger bubbling through me. “Fine.”
He shoves me through the front door and into the massive foyer.
The place is cold and dark and void of anything that might make it feel like home. It’s as though his house reflects him. Empty of emotion. It’s different from the last time I was here. Back then, it felt safe and warm. Welcoming. It reflected our connection, and I never wanted to leave.
An unwelcome ache of regret and tension sits in the pit of my stomach.
Emmanuil turns to the three men standing just inside the door. “Show her to her room,” he snaps, then walks away.
Logan steps forward and pushes me towards the stairs. “Come on,” he sighs, annoyed to be tasked with me.
The other two men stay behind, muttering to themselves.
“It’s the wrong fucking girl,” one of them whispers.
“So, Logan was right? That’s not Georgie?”
“No, that’s the guy’s sister.” Their voices are low, but I hear them clearly enough.
They hadn’t intended to take me. They wanted Georgie. Emmanuil was after my best friend, not me. No wonder he looked so horrified to see me when they removed the hood. No wonder he asked Logan if he knew who I was.
But what does he want with Georgie?
Logan pushes me along the passage towards one of the guest bedrooms.
“Don’t be difficult. Get inside.” He huffs.
I do as I’m told because my head is racing with this new knowledge.
If Emmanuil wanted Georgie, there’s only one possible reason for it.
He wanted to hurt her in order to hurt my brother. That’s it. It’s the only thing that makes sense.
I bite my lower lip as I watch Logan walk away. He doesn’t even lock the bedroom door. I’ve been warned, and they expect me to simply obey.
I walk over to the bed and sit on the corner, mind racing, trying to figure out what to do. Is he going to go after Georgie again? Seeing as they took the wrong girl the first time.
Was he going to marry Georgie to hurt Kristopher?
I have to protect her. I have to protect them both.
I’m the reason Emmanuil is so angry at Kristopher. They were always enemies, of course, but I made it a hundred times worse by allowing Emmanuil to think that Kristopher was responsible for what happened five years ago. He blames my brother, and I never corrected him.
I lie down on the bed, and the last thought I have before falling asleep isI have to keep them safe.
I’ll come up with something.
***
In the morning, I wake up with bright spring sunshine splashing over my pillow. The morning air is chilly, and I pull the blankets up over my face, groaning as I run through the memory of what happened last night.
I already know what I need to do.
But I’m terrified to face him—the man that I’ve spent years avoiding, years trying to distance myself from.
I need to go and negotiate with him for the safety of two people I love dearly. It’s strategic now. There are no feelings left between Emmanuil and me. This is a plan, and I have to make this sacrifice for my brother and my best friend.
