Chapter 42
Chapter
Forty-Two
KAYLANI
Ihadn’t spoken a single word to my father since climbing into the limo. He’d tried multiple times to engage me in conversation once we were on the plane, but I simply got up and moved to the back.
It didn’t help that he had one of his goons take my phone like I was a naughty toddler in time-out.
Our destination remained a mystery, but wherever we were headed, it wasn’t with Goran, and that was all that mattered.
As soon as the plane rolled to a stop, I grabbed my purse and followed the line of men in suits. The jet doors opened to sunlight so bright it felt violent. I lifted my arm to shield my eyes despite my dark sunglasses and caught sight of the sign above the private airfield hangar.
Mallorca. We were in Spain.
The island was stunning, and nothing like Vegas. The air carried salt and citrus instead of desert dust and the constant hum of activity. The Mediterranean stretched endlessly beyond the runway, glittering like something meant to entice.
Descending the stairs, I held my head high, not caring that I was in jeans, running shoes, and a hoodie that said, “Ride a horse save a cowboy.” It was nearly ninety degrees outside, and I knew that looking deliberately casual annoyed my father, so I kept it on anyway.
Dimitri was just ahead of me, and I had never been more tempted to push someone down a flight of stairs.
Guards moved around us like a swarm of wasps. Always there. Always irritating.
I had never been a fan of my father’s security team. Sven was the only exception. I’d caught him glancing my way more than once, his eyes quietly apologizing.
If this was to be my cage, then Dimitri would watch me walk into it like I owned the place.
A black convoy waited beyond the tarmac. Every car gleamed in the sun, polished like gems and absurdly expensive.
I sighed and rolled my eyes. If this wasn’t a wagging of cocks, I didn’t know what was.
Julian stood beside the center vehicle.
White linen shirt. Tailored trousers. Sunglasses. He looked like an advertisement for wealth and leisure, trying hard for casual as he leaned against the Lamborghini. Harmless at first glance. But only if you didn’t look close enough.
I always looked closely. Alex had taught me that valuable lesson.
Julian removed his sunglasses and extended his hand to my father, though the smile on his face never reached his eyes.
“Mr. Mikhailov, so good to see you.”
“Call me Dimitri. We’re going to be family after all.”
The urge to vomit all over them was tough to ignore.
Julian turned, his gaze sliding over me from head to toe.
“Mallorca suits you,” he said smoothly, kissing the air beside my cheek instead of touching me. “You look…rested.”
“Are you implying that I looked tired the last time I saw you?”
He paused for a beat.
“No, of course not. I just meant you look radiant today.”
“Thanks. I’m sure it’s the blackmail, the arrest, and being forced into this marriage that’s giving me such a natural glow.”
A few of the guards snorted before disguising it with coughs.
“Kaylani,” Father growled.
Feigning innocence, I shrugged.
“What? Is it not the truth?”
“Do not be rude.”
“I didn’t realize speaking the truth was considered rude nowadays.” I crossed my arms. “Or is that only when fragile male egos are involved?” I would cherish the wide-eyed look on my father’s face forever. Before he recovered I gestured toward the line-up of cars. “Which one am I in?”
“You can ride with me,” Julian offered, pointing to the shiny black sports car he had been posing against.
“Great. Let’s get going.”
I marched straight to the car and opened the door myself instead of waiting for someone else to do it. The men stared at me as I got in and pulled it shut.
My father gave me a death glare.
Too fucking bad.
He told me to marry Julian. I never agreed to be happy about it.
“Do you have a music preference,” Julian asked as he slid into the driver’s seat, and the car rumbled to life.
“No.”
I turned away, staring out the passenger window, fingers absently playing with the gold ring on my necklace.
“Would you like to talk about the wedding?”
“Is it my sunny disposition making you think that’s acceptable conversation?”
He sighed, gripping the steering wheel a little tighter. He reached into his suit jacket and pulled out the ring box I’d given back to him.
“Here.” He held it out.
Is this guy thick?
“If I didn’t want to talk about the wedding, what makes you think I want to put on that ring?”
When I didn’t move to he sighed and put it back in his suit jacket. Which was the smartest decision since I’d planned on throwing it out the window if he forced me to take it.
“Okay…what would you like to talk about?”
“How far is the drive?”
“Close to forty minutes.”
“Great. Wake me when we get there,” I said, closing my eyes.
Sleep wouldn’t come. I found myself staring at the world as it passed. The road wound along cliffs high above the sea. White villas dotted the hills. Olive trees lined the properties’ walls.
It was beautiful, a complete contrast to how I felt. Everything inside me was dark, as if someone had snuffed out my light. Every time I shut my eyes, all I saw was Goran chasing after the car.
Julian tapped my shoulder, and I jerked, my head whipping in his direction, ready to hit him if needed.
“We’re here.”
That didn’t help me relax. The car slowed and turned into a driveway.
The gates here were twice as tall as the ones at our home in Cali.
They opened silently, like the jaws of a monster ready to swallow us whole.
I spotted the guards immediately, their dark uniforms standing out against the bright, lush, and colorful landscape.
The mansion rose above the coastline. Stone facade. Terracotta roof. Endless glass windows reflecting the ocean. Masculine dominance carved into architecture.
Thirty million euros at least, I estimated silently, possibly more, with the land and the sea at its edge. This was not a temporary, peaceful escape. It was a statement.
We rolled to a stop beneath a covered entryway, supported by thick columns. Staff waited in quiet formation on the front steps.
“Do you live here?”
The estate appeared as if it could fit two hundred people easily and still feel empty.
“Most of the year. I divide my time between here and two other homes.”
“I bet. And which one houses your mistresses? Or are they kept separate?”
He didn’t flinch.
“They will never cross your path.”
“I see. Well, at least you’re honest about being unfaithful. Better than most, I suppose.”
He glanced at the ring I was rubbing between my fingers.
“I don’t think either of us is faithful.”
I dropped it inside my sweatshirt and turned to face him.
“Here’s the difference. It doesn’t matter if I want to marry you. The moment I do, I’ll remain true to the vows we make. Men like you are only loyal to one thing.”
“Oh, and what is that?”
Opening the car door, I exited before looking back at him.
“Your bank account.”
On my way up the front stairs, I paused to speak to the staff. They seemed shocked I had even acknowledged them.
Julian stepped up beside me, his arm circled my waist. I tensed, but he didn’t care.
“I thought you’d appreciate the beauty and privacy of this location for the wedding.”
“I definitely appreciate knowing where the exits are,” I said, almost letting a smirk show on my face.
“Kaylani,” Father snarled.
I hadn’t even realized he had come along and was standing behind us until now.
“It’s fine, Dimitri.” Julian brushed a strand of my hair off my shoulder, and I shot a glare at his hand. “I admire her fire. Means she will give me strong children.”
I shivered unable to stop myself. His eyes held something cruel that made the cold pool in my gut. Dangerous. That was the only word that came to mind. Then his expression softened, replaced by a flash of charm.
“Of course you do,” I drawled, under my breath.
“Everyone, this is Kaylani, soon to be the lady of the house.”
I tried to hide the revulsion I felt but sensed that I had failed spectacularly.
“Please make sure that all her needs or desires are met.”
Julian dismissed the staff and led us into the mansion.
The ceilings soared, swallowing sound and throwing it back as echoes. Cream walls. Marble floors. Dark wood beams. Art, worth more than most people’s homes, hung from every available space. Fresh flowers in expensive vases lined the hallways, their scent rich and overwhelming.
Guards were positioned subtly at every corridor intersection. I noted them all.
“I’ll show you to your room. You’ll want to freshen up and change before dinner.”
His subtle way of saying lose the hoodie, but I was tempted to fashion it into a dress and wear it anyway. My pettiness was seeping out.
“I’ll come with you,” Father offered.
I leveled him with a hard stare.
“Thanks, but I don’t need you anymore.” I turned my eyes to Sven. “Sven can come as my personal guard, but I don’t want to see the rest of your men near my room.”
The air shifted around us.
Dimitri looked ready to snap, but he pressed his lips together and gave a curt nod.
“She has spirit. Definitely a Mikhailov.”
Julian chuckled lightly, as if my behavior was amusing. Father didn’t seem to agree.
Before I walked away, I turned to my father and held out my hand. He stared at it.
“I want a phone to text Mother. I assume she doesn’t know where we are.”
“I’ll notify those who need to be made aware of our location.”
His voice was low and authoritative, leaving no room for argument.
“Great. So I’m a prisoner bride. I traded one cell for another.” I tossed my hair over my shoulder and turned my back on my father, dismissing him.
Julian was quiet as we walked through the house, Sven following a few strides behind. We stopped in front of two tall, ornate doors. Julian opened them with theatrical flair, and we stepped inside. Sven waited in the hallway.
The room was larger than any bedroom I’d ever seen before. He pointed out the bathroom and closet with a smile that meant nothing. I drifted to the window overlooking the sea, wishing I could ride the waves and leave this place.
“Did you hear me, Kaylani?”
“No.”
“Dinner will be in two hours.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“Well, that’s not really the reason for the meal. You’re meeting my parents and my brothers. Don’t eat if you don’t want to, but I expect you to be there.”
I didn’t bother to reply or even turn around.
“It would be wise not to try my patience.”
I still didn’t acknowledge him.
Finally, Julian sighed and walked out. Sven closed the door. The sound of the lock turning pierced the silence like a warning.
It felt final. For the first time since the limo pulled away in Vegas, I felt the cold bars of my new cage, and a single tear trickled down my cheek.