Chapter 43 #2
I kept my voice sweet and calm, though all I wanted to do was dump the glass of wine over his head and walk out.
Julian chuckled, but it sounded nervous.
“Well, I wouldn’t put it like that.”
“Oh, really? And how would you put it?”
I leaned back, watching him closely.
“Representing your country in any sport is admirable. But it requires a great amount of commitment, energy, and sacrifice. Those are hard to juggle with starting a family.”
My eyebrows shot up as if I were shocked, but in reality, Julian had handed me the perfect protection for Goran’s child. I hoped it wouldn’t come to that, and that I would be long gone before then, but I had to think of every possibility.
“I see…well, I’ve always enjoyed being underestimated.”
Matteo laughed, cheeks flushed from the bottle of wine he had consumed himself.
“She has teeth,” Luca drawled.
Adriano leaned forward, almost flirtatiously.
“Will you stay in Spain after the wedding?”
“That will depend on my training schedule.”
Julian’s hand covered mine on the table. Not a squeeze, but a reminder to choose my words carefully. His thumb brushed my ring finger, asserting his ownership.
“What is your timeline, Julian,” Arturo asked.
“Soon. There’s no benefit in delaying the wedding.” The dark gleam in Julian’s eyes returned. “I can’t wait to start my life with this fiery woman. I’d like to have our first child as soon as possible.”
“Of course. Stability must be established quickly, along with the shackle around my ankle.” Sarcasm was thick in my tone. I patted the top of his hand. “Isn’t that right, shnookums?”
He grinned. “Your father was accurate in his description. You are special.”
I wasn’t sure if that was a compliment or an insult, but I would bet on the latter.
“This alliance benefits everyone,” Julian said.
“Does it?”
The temperature in the room shifted, and I felt more than one set of eyes on me. Maybe I had gone too far and insulted them. I certainly wasn’t thrilled about joining their family or marrying their son.
Julian’s smile thinned.
“You’ll come to appreciate your position.”
“I know precisely what position I am in.”
I was leverage. Capital. Insurance. A piece used to garner favors and establish connections. A bridge to larger plans.
“I didn’t say understand your position…I said appreciate it,” he fired back.
Julian leaned closer.
“Kaylani, you seem focused on the small picture, yet I took you for a visionary. You’ll have influence, resources, and power. More than you can even imagine.”
“I already had those things and didn’t care for them.”
Julian shook his head.
“It’s a shame to see you so closed off to what we can accomplish together.”
He looked away, and the conversation moved on, but the tension didn’t fade. My father returned and ignored me, choosing to discuss mergers and acquisitions with Arturo. They disgusted me. There was so much more to life than money and power.
Money. Money. Money.
Julian spoke freely as the wine flowed. Arrogance loosened his tongue, and I learned a few interesting pieces of information that I tucked away for later.
Apparently, the Harringtons had enemies.
So, maybe the small army patrolling the grounds wasn’t solely here to block my escape attempts.
What did my father have to gain by getting into bed with a family in hot water?
When dessert arrived, Arturo rose.
“A strong union strengthens both empires.”
A toast. Glasses lifted.
I raised mine last.
“To strength,” Father added.
That one word revealed everything I needed to know about what truly mattered to him.
Not me, not my mother, or brothers. He claimed to love his family and that everything he did was for us, but it was all a lie.
A pretty deception wrapped and topped with a shimmering bow designed to distract us from the truth.
Thankfully, dinner ended soon after.
Julian stood and extended his hand.
“I’ll walk you to your suite.”
“Sven can manage,” I replied flatly.
Julian nodded, but I caught a flash of malice in his eyes before he replied.
“Of course.”
“Thank you for the meal. The food was lovely.”
Sven fell into step beside me once we were clear of the dining room. The hallway felt longer this time as I marched back to my cage. Reaching the door, I stopped.
“Sven?” His eyes met mine. “I need to know something.”
He didn’t ask what.
I wet my lips, unsure if I was revealing too much too soon. But it felt right.
“If things escalate, where do you stand?”
He held my gaze for a long moment.
“I’m your guard. That is my duty.” His words were careful, but I noted the undertone. “And I take my assignments seriously.”
I nodded once.
“Thank you.”
The door clicked shut behind me, and for the first time since arriving in Spain, I didn’t feel completely alone. Dylan had a point that day at his family farm when he mentioned allies. I needed more of them if I was going to get out of this in one piece.
I’d walked into the lion’s den willingly to save those I loved, but men like Julian always underestimated their prey.
Out on the balcony, the air was cool. The dark ocean blended into the night sky. I pressed a hand lightly to my stomach.
“Okay,” I whispered to the stars. “We adapt. We survive. We get back to your father.”
Julian thought this was containment.
My father thought this was obedience.
They had both forgotten something.
I was a Mikhailov.
And Mikhailovs did not stay caged.
Not for long.