Page 19 of Wicked Knight 2

According to Belinda, the kitchen had access to the outside, or at least a way to get to Friday’s delivery truck. I still had a chance to leave. Tore escorted me across the courtyard and back into the main house. Past the vestibule and the living room, he took the stairs on the right, which led to the lower level.

The kitchen, like the rest of the house, was massive with a rustic vibe to it. The tall cabinets, lining the walls, were painted in a deep green color. Cookware hung from the suspended pot rack over an oversized wooden table in the middle of the room. As soon as we walked in, the three women standing around the counter rolling dumplings stopped to stare at me.

“She’s eating here,” Tore explained and set my tray on the far end of the table.

“I served that plate an hour ago.” The older woman frowned at Tore, then turned to me. “Let me get you a fresh plate.”

“Thank you.” I took the chair Tore offered me. “It smells amazing.”

“Galina is our head cook.” Tore gestured toward the older woman. “These are her daughters, Irina and Sasha. They work in the kitchen too.”

“Nice to meet you.” I smiled at the group.

“I’ll come back when you’re done.” He made to leave.

I shot to my feet. “I’m not going back to that cell. I need to speak to Papa. He can’t keep me like this.” I pointed at my scrubs covered in soot.

Tore glared at me for the longest minute before he turned around and left. I plopped myself down on the chair. I had to think of something to get Papa to let me stay in the house. Otherwise, I was afraid I’d lose my mind down in the dungeon.

“Here. Eat.” Galina placed a bowl in front of me.

I took the first spoonful of the stew and let out a little moan. “Hmm, so good. Thank you.”

While I ate, I scanned the kitchen for exits, but there were none. Was the way we came in the only way out? I had no idea how Belinda thought I could get to the delivery truck from here. Hopefully, that was still her plan. Keeping Maxim asleep only stopped the wedding. If she wanted him to marry her instead, I had to disappear.

After I finished my food, Irina took away my plate, eyeing me as if I were some rare animal. “Maxim will be a good husband.”

“I don’t need a husband. Good or otherwise.”

“You’re so lucky.” She sighed with stars in her eyes. “He’s handsome and kind.”

“Kind?” I scoffed. “The man had me kidnapped. Did you know that?”

They looked at each other as if they didn’t understand the words. What did Papa tell them about me? Why were they okay with keeping me here against my will?

“It’s for the good of the Brotherhood.” Galina beamed at me. “You’ll see. In time, you’ll learn to love Maxim. He’s very handsome and a good kisser. It’ll be easy.”

“I don’t care about his face or his kissing.” My gaze darted between Sasha and Irina who chuckled at the mention of kissing. “You can’t fall in love with someone just because they’re hot.”

Irina and Sasha giggled a little louder. They didn’t get how fucked up this entire situation really was. I thought of Luca and his beautiful face. In the time we’d been apart, I tried hard to get over him. I went out with a few guys. But the truth was, Luca ruined me for other men. The sex wasn’t the same when it wasn’t with him.

I didn’t care how handsome, or kind, Maxim could be. He wasn’t Luca. I only wanted Luca.

“There you are.” Belinda strolled into the kitchen with a big smile on her face.

Maxim should be awake by now. If the wedding wasn’t happening tonight, it was because Belinda did her part and drugged Maxim to keep him asleep. Did she even know how much to administer?

“What are you giving him?”

Her eyes went big in surprise as her gaze shifted between Galina and me. She puffed out a breath, then pulled me by the hand. When we were alone just outside the kitchen, she let me go.

“Anatoli is helping me.” She whispered.

“What is Anatoli giving him?”

“How should I know? Everything is going fine. You’ll be out of here in two days. Then, we’ll let him wake up.” She beamed at me.

“You need to get me out of that cell.”

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