Chapter 3 - Bardil
She put up a decent fight, but she's so freaking tiny I could have used one hand to subdue her. The feisty confidence doesn't match the small stature.
She's sitting next to me, her hands bound on her lap, and her lower lip jutting out.
The hotel bar is fading into the distance behind us as I drive through the city, heading out of town.
Next to me, I hear a quiet giggle.
My eyes narrow as I steal a glare in her direction. "What the fuck is so funny?"
To my surprise, she giggles again and lifts her feet onto my dashboard, sitting comfortably with her legs up as though she owns the damned car.
"Let me guess," she grins. "Bardil Popov?"
My stomach knots in surprise. I've never met Nikita in person. Not that I can recall.
"Perhaps," I snap.
"It's ok. I already know it's you. So, where are we going?" she asks, her voice a sing-song melody of cheerfulness despite the predicament she's in.
My eyes trace up and down her perfectly shaped legs. The dress is too short for her to be sitting like that, but she doesn't seem to care. Her black sneakers are unexpected. Aren't girls supposed to go out in high heels? Oddly, the sneakers seem sexier, though.
In the dim light inside the car, I can see she's beautiful. Far more beautiful up close than from afar. I've been watching her for a while. Of course, I already know she's gorgeous, but being this close to her is… It's different.
Annoyance spikes in me. Who the fuck cares if she has great legs or bright blue eyes that could lure a man to his death? I drag my gaze off her.
"Get your feet off my dashboard," I growl.
She ignores me. "What did you think of the opening night?" she asks.
"What are you talking about?" I snap, confused and annoyed.
"The party. The one you just ruined," she laughs.
"I… I don't know. Uh… "
"The music was great. I've been dancing since I got there. It's the perfect way to blow off some steam. Hey, did you tell me where we are going?"
"No," I huff. "Why the hell would I tell you that?"
"I know your brother. Both of them actually. Marlen is really cool. When last did you speak to him?"
"That's none of your business!" What the hell is up with this girl? She's acting like we're old friends having a catch-up.
My grip tightens on the steering wheel, and I groan inwardly. I wasn't expecting this. I was expecting crying and begging.
"He's doing great. He seems really happy, you know. Everyone deserves to be happy. It's nice that he's doing well for himself. And Simon."
I bite down, clamping my jaw. Why is she so friendly?
Who in their right mind is cheerful during a kidnapping?
"Aren't you scared?" I ask, muttering.
"Pardon? I didn't hear your question." She perks up, smiling at me.
"Nothing," I grumble. She narrows her eyes for a second before her grin gets wider and her blue eyes shine beautifully. Hardly skipping a beat, she carries on chatting about my brother, and I listen with fascination.
It's good to hear how he's doing. I miss my family. Even though they betrayed me, they still mean the world to me.
"I saw Marlen last week, actually. Usually, we all get together at these big family events.
Like pool parties and barbecues or pizza night.
But last week he just popped in to say hi to my brother.
It wasn't a big thing, so everyone else wasn't there.
Because usually it's all the Abashins and the Shevchenkos and your other brother, Simon… "
I was happy to hear about Marlen and Simon, but now she's talking about those other assholes that I despise.
Why the fuck did she have to start talking about them?
"Can you shut the hell up for two seconds. I can't even hear myself thinking," I snarl at her.
I let out a loud huff of frustration, waiting for her to either do as I told her to do or pick a fight with me and tell me to go to hell.
But she does neither.
Instead, she pouts her lips and sighs softly. "Yeah, I guess I understand," she says quietly. "I'd be pretty pissed off, too. It must feel like everyone is against you."
I glare at her. "What the hell do you care?" I snap.
She shrugs. "I'm just saying I get it, that's all.
I'd feel pretty lonely if I were you. Kind of out of the loop.
I'm just saying that I understand why you'd be upset…
Especially toward my family. It must feel like they stole your family from you.
" She speaks with warmth in her heart, and I realize it's the first kindness anyone has shown me in a very long time.
I don't know what to say.
She's fascinating. And confusing. And beautiful.
A low chuckle rumbles through me, and I shake my head. She's actually sympathizing with me. What the hell is going on?
Use it to your advantage, Bardil.
"What?" She grins at me.
"You're just not what I expected," I muse.
"That's hardly a fair comment. How can you expect anything if you don't even know me?" she challenges me, lighthearted and cheeky.
"Alright, ok. But in a typical situation like this, most people would be freaking out."
She scrunches her nose. "Most people are boring and predictable," she counters.
"Most people are," I agree, nodding as my eyes wander over her. She definitely isn't anything like most people. That's for sure.
"It's rude to put your feet on other people's dashboards," I tell her, unable to hide my smirk. I don't give a shit about the dashboard. I'm about to ditch this car and swap it out in case someone spotted us. But I am fascinated by her audacity.
"Do you know what else is rude?" she scoffs. "Kidnapping people."
This remark entices a loud burst of laughter from me.
"Touché," I nod, accepting that she won that round.
"What music do you like?" she asks, reaching both tied hands up and flicking the radio on, then immediately turning the knob off the station I might have been listening to. This girl has no boundaries. Why do I like that so much?
I grab her wrists and set them back on her lap. "I certainly don't listen to the shit on the radio," I tell her, switching to Bluetooth so my phone can connect to the system.
Linkin Park comes through the speakers, and she shouts, "In the end! I love this song."
"You know them?" I scoff.
"Oh, please, everyone knows them." She rolls her eyes, shaking her head at me.
We talk comfortably and easily for almost an hour.
I'm smiling, enjoying the drive, until I realize I've been so distracted by her that I've missed my planned stop.
"Fuck," I snap, annoyed with myself.
"What?" she asks, sitting up straighter.
I ignore her, scouting ahead on the GPS. Ok, the gas station isn't far.
I didn't want to stop for gas or be seen by anyone. But in my conversations with her, I missed the turn off where I left the second car waiting. I was just supposed to stop, swap cars, and keep driving. I guess I won't be doing that anymore.
But if we're getting to where we're going, I'll need to fuel up.
When we pull into the gas station parking space, she perks up, pulling her legs off the dashboard and sitting up straight.
"Oh my word, yes. Can you get me one of those chocolates with the marshmallow goo inside?
It comes in a purple packet. Do you know which one I'm talking about?
Or maybe popcorn. I love popcorn. I just think I should eat something.
I get pretty grumpy when I'm hungry, and I'm sure you don't want to have to deal with that," she says.
"You? Grumpy?" I muse.
"Oh yes, it's Jekyll and Hyde when I don't get fed on time," she teases. "And you're already cutting it close. We've been road tripping for hours."
"I guess I'd better feed you then. Just chocolate and popcorn? Can't I get you a toasted sandwich or something? We've still got another hour or two of driving ahead."
If food is going to get her to soften up to me even more, then I'll get her whatever the hell she wants.
"Mm. Maybe a pie. Spinach and cheese? Feta?"
"Please don't tell me you're a vegetarian or something," I grumble, thinking about all the special meals I'll have to make while she's my prisoner. It sounds like a lot of work.
She laughs, shaking her head. "Nope, but they are the best pies. Especially if they're homemade."
I breathe a sigh of relief. "Ok, I'll be right back. I'll get us some snacks and fill the tank."
Before I get out of the car, I glance at her wrists. We're in the middle of nowhere now. There's literally nowhere for her to escape to. She'd be stupid to make a run for it out here.
I swipe my card against the panel and type in how much fuel I need.
The end of the nozzle is resting in my gas tank.
While I'm standing there, I'm thinking about how unexpectedly this has all been going as I watch her through the car window.
I wonder how the rest of it will go. So far, it looks like she's going to be an easy prisoner. Maybe even pleasant.
When the tank is full, I click the spout back into place and tap on the window. "I'll be right back," I call out. She smiles at me. Damn, she's really beautiful.
The cashier is ringing up my purchase and shoving it into a bag for me.
The guy looks bored out of his mind, and I can't help feeling sorry for him. I'd go crazy in this job too. Nothing happens around here. The monotony would kill me.
"You can tap your card here," he grumbles, gesturing toward the machine.
It beeps to acknowledge the payment and spits out a slip of paper.
"Thanks, man," I say, picking up the packet of goods and smiling at him. He doesn't smile back.
A bell rings above my head when I push the doors open and step outside.
Walking back toward the car, I'm musing again over her personality. She's funny, sweet, feisty…
I tug the door open and lean in. "I found the purple chocolate. I hope you like butter pop… "
The car is empty.
"Fucking asshole!" I shout angrily, dropping the bag of goods onto the floor on the passenger side.
She fucking got away. This whole time, I thought she was just friendly and sweet, but she was actually playing me. Manipulating me until she got half a chance to fucking escape.
Again, I've been played for a fool, and I swear this is the last time it will ever happen.
I step out of the car and slam the door in anger.
She clearly didn't think this through. There is literally nowhere to go, and within a minute of looking around, I spot her down the road, running. A shadowy figure in the distance. There isn't anyone else it could be.
Climbing back into the car, I start the engine and move in her direction. It's a long stretch of road with wide open fields of nothing on either side.
They call me the fool, but she chose to be out here instead of trying to hide inside the gas station somewhere.
Not that it would've made any difference. I would've found her either way.
I pull the car to a harsh stop right next to her. She screams and bolts into the field, but I'm out in the blink of an eye and running after her.
She's fast, but not fast enough to outrun me. Each of my strides is two of hers, and within a minute, I've caught up.
I reach out and grab her around the waist, lifting her right off her feet as she kicks and screams.
"Scream all you like, no one cares out here," I snarl, then lift my face to the night sky and scream as loud as I can.
The shock of my sudden and very loud outburst snaps her into silence.
Carrying her under one arm, I head back to the car, grumbling about wasting my time and playing me for a fool.
She's quiet, sulking by the looks of things.
When we reach the car, I throw her inside and slam the door closed behind her.
When I'm inside, too, I lean over and grab her face, tugging it toward me.
"That was your one and only chance, little rabbit. You should have run faster. From now on out I won't be taking it easy on you. You've fucked yourself over."
For the first time, I see fear flashing in her eyes. Her eyes flare wide, and she bites her lower lip.
For a second, I'm distracted by her wide-eyed stare and her beautiful, full mouth.
I shove her face away from me, growling in anger as I start the engine and pull away. Making a U-turn in the middle of the empty stretch of road, I turn back into the direction we were driving. This time, there is no conversation. No laughter. No lighthearted banter.
The air between us is thick with my anger.
I won't let anyone fool me again.
Not ever.