26. Lindsey
26
LINDSEY
M y skin tingles, my stomach sinking as I watch Maks leave with Lucian’s man. For a moment there, I was so swept up in the fantasy, I could have forgotten why we were even here, but as I stand alone on the dance floor, it sits heavily on my chest. His eyes track me all the way out the door, and like an idiot, I stay rooted to the spot until he disappears around the corner. Only when a couple accidentally collides with me as they dance to the next song do I realize I’m in the way.
“Sorry,” I apologize, scrambling to safety. Then I release my breath as I head toward the quartz-topped counter with shelves of wine and liquor on display behind it.
I shouldn’t let it bother me that Maks still doesn’t trust me. I’ve given him no reason to think I won’t cause problems. I just wish, for our last night together, we might have been able to put our issues behind us. But I suppose that’s too much to ask—especially when tonight, for him, is about Emiliano, even if we managed to have some fun.
Approaching the open bar, I give the bartender a smile when he turns to take my order. “Can I just get a water? Lots of ice, please.”
“Sure thing.” He pours it into a wine glass because everything here is fancy and passes me my drink with a polite nod.
Sipping on the chilled liquid and chomping on the ice, I turn to watch the dancers. Never, in a million years, would I have thought I would enjoy that kind of dancing as much as I have. But being in Maks’s arms, floating across the floor with everyone else? It felt magical. I doubt I could recreate the steps without him, but nothing has ever made me feel more like a princess.
Everything about tonight has me rethink my decision. It’s a good thing Lucian’s man interrupted us, because I came far too close to telling Maks I want to stay with him. Logically, I know that’s a terrible decision, but when I’m with him, none of the reasons I should leave seem to matter. I wonder what he would do if I did say I want to stay—if he would try to convince me to go to New York, if he would stand by his word and be my husband to protect me. I can’t imagine he wants that in the long run, and I know that it would be putting my baby at unnecessary risk, which is why I’m glad Lucian’s man stopped me from doing something I might regret. But still, for one magical moment, it felt like this could be my happy ending.
Shaking my head at my silly, girlish thoughts, I stare down at my glass of water then take another drink.
“Lindsey?”
My head turns automatically toward the incredulous voice, and my heart skips a beat as I realize my mistake a moment too late. I know that voice, and being recognized here at the gala is the last thing I need. But I can’t take it back now, so I force my lips into a smile as I turn to face Claire. Annie’s beside her at the bar, where it looks like they’re getting fresh drinks. Each clasp a tall flute of champagne as they look at me with open interest.
“Claire, Annie. Hey,” I say, discomfort warming my cheeks.
Claire looks beautiful in a gold wrap dress, her delicate gold mask a perfect match for her outfit. Annie, on the other hand, is dressed in a knee-length sage-green sheath dress with a low scoop neck and a cutout that puts the majority of her flat midriff on display. Her black cat mask is just as flirty as her outfit. Both look adorable, and entirely too excited to see me.
“Oh my god, it is you!” Claire squeals, shuffling over to hug me.
“It’s me,” I say less enthusiastically as I cringe inside thinking about how long they probably think I’ve been ignoring them if not flat-out playing hooky. “How are you girls doing? How’s work?”
“I mean, we should be asking you that, shouldn’t we? But you sure don’t look sick. How are you feeling?” Annie asks as Claire releases me and she steps in to give me a squeeze.
“Much better,” I assure them.
“You must be if you decided to come this ,” Claire teases, and my stomach squirms at the underlying implication—that I’m not sick at all, which is closer to the truth than I’m comfortable admitting.
“What are you two doing here tonight? Did you bid in the silent auction?” We might have cushy salaries at Keen Edge, but I can’t imagine either of them make enough to afford a night like tonight. The only reason I’m here is because Maks was willing to pay for my ticket. I had to max out my card just so we could get into the event.
“Claire’s dad got us in,” Annie says.
“Since he’s a manager for the convention center, they give him tickets every year, but he and my mom are in Greece right now, so he let me bring a friend,” Claire adds.
“Oh, nice.” Trying to hide my discomfort, I keep my smile plastered to my face. It really is good to see my work friends again, but I’m supposed to be flying under the radar, and with everything that’s happening tonight, I really don’t want anyone to see them with me.
“So, if you’re feeling better, does that mean you’ll be coming back to the office soon?” Annie grasps my hand affectionately. Then she freezes, her eyes going wide as her arm stiffens, her fingers pressing into my palm. “Um, what the hell is this?” she asks, jerking my hand up to eye level so she can take a look at my wedding ring.
Claire gasps, her jaw dropping as she sees the giant rock on my left ring finger. “You got married ?” she nearly shrieks.
Oh god.
“Lindsey, what the hell! I mean, I’m so happy for you, but where the heck was my wedding invitation?” She’s practically bouncing with excitement, and she throws her arms around me for another hug. “Wait, is this the real reason you’ve been gone so long? Have you been playing hooky this whole time so you could get hitched and go on a romantic honeymoon?”
“I—no—it’s not—” Anxiety surges through me, my skin tingling as I start to go numb. I have no clue what I’m supposed to say right now. I’m so bad at lying, and it’s not like I can tell them the truth.
“I mean, it’s not a bad strategy,” Annie observes. “Since you’re a newer employee, it’s not like you’d have accrued enough PTO for all the time off, right? So if you can get away with working remotely?—”
“No, it’s not like that,” I promise, glancing anxiously around the room.
We are most definitely making a scene now, and I flush as several heads turn in our direction, people focusing curiously on the noise. Running into Claire and Annie is turning into a major problem—not just for my job, which I was going to have to quit anyway, but I had hoped I could continue with remotely until I got settled in New York. But if the wrong person recognizes me, I could ruin Maks and Lucian’s plan.
“Tell us everything. Who’s the mystery man?” Claire presses, her eyes bright and her smile radiant when I turn back to her.
She and Annie look so happy for me, it makes my heart twinge. They really are good friends, and it’s sweet that they care—even if I didn’t invite them to the wedding. But I wish I could crawl into a dark hole right now.
The hair raises on the back of my neck as I get the distinct feeling that someone’s watching me. Fear races up and down my spine, and I fumble distractedly over my words as I glance past their expectant faces. My heart beat kicks up a notch when I spot Maks. He’s back. Relief surges through me instinctually, but unease settles in my stomach when he moves closer and I can make out his expression. His eyes are sharp with intensity, unbridled fear written across his face. I’ve never seen him look scared before, and it launches me straight into a state of panic as cold sweat breaks out across my neck.
“There you are, beautiful. I’ve been looking for you.”
I recognize the sickly sweet voice behind me without having to turn around, and when something cold and hard presses against the base of my spine, revulsion churns in my stomach, threatening to send my Michelin star meal backup my throat. Goosebumps erupt across my exposed shoulder blades as Emiliano Costanzo steps close to me, his lips brushing the shell of my ear. One hand possessively grips my hip, pulling me closer to him to hide the gun between us.
Annie’s jaw nearly hits the floor as Claire gives another excited squeal, clapping her hands and covering her ear-to-ear grin.
“Is this him?” she asks, her voice muffled by her palms.
“The one and only,” Emiliano answers for me, his lips still close enough to me that it makes my skin crawl, but I don’t dare move when I’m sure he’s got a gun against my back. “Why don’t you come with me, love? I have a surprise for you.”
Icy fear hammers through my veins, and I glance behind Annie and Claire, but I’ve lost track of Maks, and I only have a split second to decide what I’m going to do. I’m tempted to refuse to move. He wouldn’t shoot me in front of all these people, right? But if I’m wrong, there’s no doubt in my mind that his bullet would hurt the baby based on where he’s aiming.
“I’ll see you guys later, okay?” I say, my voice breathy and falsely bright with anxiety.
“Yeah, of course. Have fun, lovebirds!” Annie says, giving me a playful wink.
Then she and Claire turn to put their heads together, giggling excitedly. No doubt they’re whispering about the juicy new gossip that I married a silver fox without telling anybody.
Fuck. Now what do I do?
Heart in my throat, I let Emiliano steer me around the dance floor to a side door at the back of the main ballroom. Every instinct in me screams for me to bolt, but he has a firm grip on me now, and the barrel digging into my spine assures me I won’t make it far if I do try to run.
“Make a sound, and I’ll blow you apart,” he warns as soon as we’re out of earshot of my friends. And like he can hear my thoughts, his grip tightens until he’s holding me with bruising force.
“Please, just let me go,” I plead, my pulse quickening as a white-gloved server opens the door for us, and I pump the brakes as I realize he’s taking me somewhere away from the crowd—away from witnesses.
“Don’t fucking push me,” he growls, jamming the gun more forcibly against my spine as he marches me through the doorway.
The door closes behind us with a sharp click, and as we’re thrown into silence, true panic starts to cloud my mind. How did I let this happen? Why did I insist on coming tonight? Just so I could watch this asshole die? Except now I’m the one whose life is on the line. The only hope I can cling to is that Emiliano won’t have much time to get the job done. Maks saw us—and he and Lucian both want Emiliano dead, which means someone has to be coming for me. Right? So if I stall long enough, maybe I can survive this. Maybe I can keep my baby alive. But where the hell is Maks?
“Through there,” Emiliano growls, pushing me toward a door on the far side of the room.
More of the waitstaff watch us, and based on their lack of concern over a man forcibly taking me into a secluded room, I’m going to guess they work for him. But on the off chance that they don’t, I want to make it perfectly clear that I’m in distress.
“Help me,” I implore, turning my attention to the one nearest me.
His eyes slide over me, emotionless and apathetic as he gives the don a nod and opens the next door for him. As soon as we’re inside, Emiliano gives me a hard shove, and I stumble forward on my high heels, bracing against the arm of a couch so I don’t hit the cold marble floor.
“He sure did pick a beauty, didn’t he?” the don purrs, and when I straighten to my full height and turn to face him a shudder ripples down my spine. The way he points his gun at me is so casual, he looks as though it’s a harmless toy. “Maks, that is. Though you’re a bit older than I typically enjoy.” His eyes rake down my body with lewd appreciation.
“You didn’t seem to have a problem with that in your office, you sick prick,” I snap, backing away from him slowly.
His low chuckle is devoid of warmth, and I shudder when he smiles. “Imagine my surprise when he came charging in to rescue you that day. I’ve never seen him throw himself into a fight for a woman like that before. It wasn’t too hard to put two and two together after that, though. All I had to do was watch and wait, because I knew Maks was coming for me. I just didn’t know when.”
“You deserve to rot in hell for what you’ve done,” I say, putting my flight instincts on lockdown as I keep my eyes trained on his gun. I can’t run with him pointing it at me, but I’m watching for an opening, waiting for the first opportunity.
“Feisty, aren’t you? I can see why Maks like you. You’re certainly his type. I don’t mind when girls have a bit of a fight in them, but I think I liked you better when you were pretending to be an innocent little college student, ready to get on her knees for me.”
An incredulous snort escapes me before I can stop it. The guy’s delusional if he thinks I was at all ready for that.
As Emiliano stalks closer, his sleazy silver-fox vibe on high, the door opens once more, and my heart jumps into my throat. For one fleeting moment, I think it might be Maks. Instead, three of Emiliano’s men, dressed in black suits but no masks, step in.
“We can do this the easy way or the hard way, Lindsey , but tonight, I intend to teach that overgrown Russian ape of yours a lesson,” Emiliano says, setting his gun on the coffee table in front of him. Then he shrugs out of his flashy green-and-gold blazer and folds it across the arm of the couch.
My gut tightens at the momentary reprieve from having his gun on me. It’s too far away to grab, and with the three new men barring the exits, I know I don’t have a chance of escape, but my eyes search wildly for a window of opportunity. I freeze, starting to tremble uncontrollably when Emiliano’s gaze returns to me, his desire growing.
“What are you going to do to me?” I ask, dread sinking into the pit of my stomach.
“For starters, we can finish what we began in my office.” Removing the cufflinks from his dress shirt, he drops them on the coffee table with a soft clink and starts to roll up his sleeves.
“You can go fuck yourself if you think I’ll ever let you touch me,” I spit. I know I’m not doing myself any favors, talking to him like that, but I can’t stop myself. I feel like a cornered animal, desperately lashing out to protect myself in any way I can, but my words are all I have.
Emiliano’s low chuckle slithers up my spine, and my stomach curdles at the thought of his hands on me. Where the fuck is everybody? I’m not really interested in being a damsel in distress, but I could really use a bit of help right now.
“Let me?” he asks, wrapping his fingers around his gun once more, and when he picks it up, aiming it squarely at my chest, the blood drains from my face, leaving me dizzy with fear. “How about you take off your clothes, and I won’t put a bullet in you right now?”
“You wouldn’t,” I breathe. “Someone would hear it.”
Emiliano huffs and thumbs the hammer, cocking the gun with a soft click.
“Try me.”