Page 66 of The Pakhan's Kidnapped Bride
“Because I wasn’t done with her,” I say calmly, shrugging, as though it’s a simple fact. “You two played with me, so I had to play back in return.”
“What the fuck does that mean?” he’s getting angry. I want him angry. The angrier a person is, the less in control of themselves they are.
The problem is that I’m angry, too.
Chapter 20 - Anya
My heart is beating a million miles an hour.
Standing next to my bed, I stare down at my phone. No, this can’t be happening.
I press play on the voice note again, and my brother’s voice comes loud and clear through the phone speaker. He sounds furious.
“You’ve been lying to me the entire time. I don’t know why you chose to do that. I don’t know if you’re in on this or not, but by the looks of things, you seem very happy there with my enemy. Yes, that’s right, Anya. I know you’re in San Diego. I know you’re with Emmanuil Belyayev. I tracked your phone. You’ve been there the entire time, lying to me every time we spoke on the phone. Well, I’m in San Diego, too. I’m coming to get you. We will discuss this in person.”
I can barely breathe as the panic shoots through me, clenching my throat and making my heart slam against my rib cage in painful, aching beats.
I press my hand against my chest, trying not to have a full-blown panic attack.Kristopher is here in San Diego.He’s angry, and he’s coming for me.
Is he going to come to the mansion? Does he know where Emmanuil lives? Of course, he can track my phone. Shit. I don’t know what to do.
I hurriedly dial my brother’s number, my hands shaking as I hold the phone up to my ear. Each unanswered ring thickens the nausea building in my stomach.
I dial again.
No answer.
Again.
I can’t handle this suspense.
Where is he? Why won’t he talk to me?
Where is Emmanuil? Will Kristopher go straight to him? Will he hurt him? If they come face-to-face after years of hating each other,because of me,they might end up killing each other. The fears inside me go pitch-black.
That’s when I almost lose myself to a panic attack. I let out a sharp scream and run from my bedroom.
I leap down the stairs, almost falling, rushing into the garage, and grabbing the keys for the jeep. I jump into the car and tailspin as I speed off the property.
While I’m driving, I dial my brother again, but again he doesn’t answer.
I dial Emmanuil, wanting to warn him of what’s happening, but he doesn’t answer, either.
What the hell is going on? Where is everyone?
Am I too late?
I slam the car down a gear, and the engine revs as I skid around a corner.
My only hope is that Emmanuil is at his office and Kristopher hasn’t gotten there yet. And if he has, I hope I can get there in time to stop them both from doing something stupid.
The car skids to a halt right outside the entrance of his office. I leap out of the jeep and run through the doors, straight into the elevator. I’m so scared I want to throw up, but I swallow hard and fight the fear, holding it deep inside myself, staying in control so I can focus. I just need to stop anything bad from happening.
I love him.
I don’t want to lose him a second time.
The elevator moves agonizingly slowly as it carries me to the top floor. In the mirrored silver walls, I catch a glimpse of my own reflection. My eyes are wild with surging emotions. I look away, unable to bear the sight of myself.
