Page 12 of Bound Bride
"It's simple, Rose. Make him get you pregnant. That's all we need. It's your fucking duty so even you shouldn't be able to screw this up. You get pregnant with his kid and I'll let your sister go. Then you'll be free in nine months." He casts adisgusted eye on me. "It's the easiest fucking thing you'll ever do."
Mathew returns to the stall and closes the door, but the fact that he's there sends me into a spiral even as I turn to the mirror and fight to collect myself.
My hands shake, redness blooms across my throat, and mascara trails down my flushed cheeks as the tears finally escape.
I can do this. One night of sex and this nightmare is over.
I run the tap and splash water over my face and neck, then force several deep breaths to calm the urge to give in to the tears lingering behind my eyes.
There are more important things at stake here than just my feelings.
Once calm, I step out of the bathroom to Calvin, who barely hides the concerned gleam in his eye as he looks me up and down. "Are you alright?"
I nod quickly. "I'm peachy! I think I've just had a bit too much to drink and with the excitement and everything… could you take me home?" I pause and wince. "Or… I suppose I can't go home, I'll be going home with Kon, right? Sorry. I'm not sure…" Forcing a wide smile, I shake my head and tuck a curl behind my ear. "It's a little confusing."
"I can take you home," Calvin says gently, and he offers me his elbow to lean on.
I take it and let him guide me out of the hall and into the foyer, where a cold wind rushes in through the open doors.
The rain isn't as torrential as before, and I enjoy the splatter of cold raindrops across my shoulders before they vanish as Calvin covers me with an umbrella.
No… not Calvin.
Turning to thank him, I find myself face to face with Konstantin—who holds the umbrella over me and walks me silently to a waiting limo.
He opens the door for me and remains silent until I'm inside, and then he joins me.
"Are you alright?" Kon asks as he settles in his seat. "Calvin mentioned you were unwell."
"Not unwell," I correct with a smile. "I think the excitement and the wine and the champagne just mixed a little too hard. I was a little dizzy."
Kon's gaze is unwavering as he looks me over. "Do you need a doctor?"
"Oh goodness, no," I laugh. "But you don't have to leave just because I am. I don't want to take you away from a good party."
"That is not a good party," Kon replies. "That is a business deal."
The limo hums to life and drives so smoothly that the only hint of movement I get is the slight lean each time we turn.
Kon leans across the limo aisle, removes a bottle of water, uncaps it, and offers it to me.
I take it just to have something in my hands while my mind drifts to my sister.
Knowing Mathew and his scumbag brothers have her and my mother is the only thing keeping my focus on track.
Whatever their problem with Konstantin is, it's not my business.
I just need to do what they say, give them what they want, and then my family and I will be safe.
I tell myself that for the majority of the ride through the quiet, rain-soaked streets of New York.
Outside the window, the gray buildings eventually give way to trees and bushes, dark roads with only a scattering of streetlights, then a tall wall and a black iron gate that opens onto a winding driveway.
By the time we reach Konstantin's mansion, my dizziness has faded and I've pushed away the lingering fear Mathew left in me.
Kon exits the limo first and then holds out his hand for me to follow.
I take it, finding comfort in how firmly he holds me, then I step out onto a pebbled driveway and gaze up at my new home.
