Chapter 6 – Vanessa
Chapter Six
Vanessa
All I want to do when I get home is cuddle in the makeshift nest in my closet. That gets cut short when Victor comes to let me know the makeup artist and hair stylist will be here within an hour.
I force myself to shower, shave, and do my skin-care routine, but the feelings of hopelessness get a little scary.
I’ve never felt so defeated before.
Under normal circumstances, I’d spend a few days feeling sorry for myself before scraping myself off the floor and making a plan.
I’ve got nothing.
No backup plan.
No last-resort kind of options.
Grigoryan will announce our engagement tonight, along with the details about when we’re to be wed. I have no idea about the exact time frame he’s planning, but I do know I’ll be returning here tonight. It would be inappropriate for me to live with him prior to us being married.
It’ll be soon, though.
My father had the housekeeper throw away my suppressants yesterday while she was deep cleaning my bathroom. She even found the backup pack that was in my tampon box under the counter.
Dr. Calderon was supposed to give us an estimate of when my heat would hit, but since I didn’t see him… I have no idea when to expect the symptoms to start.
My life might be in shambles, but I’m going to look hot as fuck while I watch the pieces fall.
By the time the hairstylist and makeup artist leave, I look fierce.
I step into the bathroom to get myself into the tight black lacy dress that I bought for just this occasion.
Not quite appropriate for a funeral, but hopefully the color signals my distaste for the event I’m being forced to endure.
The straps are lace, flowing down over my chest to my belly button.
The cups have an additional liner, so they’re not see-through.
That liner also covers the sides of my stomach down to a few inches past my vagina.
The bottom hem goes a bit longer with more see-through lace.
It’s a shame I have to waste such a gorgeous dress on such an unfortunate occasion. Maybe if I look hot enough, I can tempt one of the bachelors in attendance to toss his hat into the ring.
It won’t happen, but a girl can dream.
As I step out of the bathroom, a hand clamps over my mouth. I toss my elbow back, trying to twist out of the man’s hold like my trainer taught me. Well, I assume it’s a man based on the giant calloused hand and the person’s height towering over me from behind.
He releases an oomph, but his other palm flattens on my stomach, trapping me in place as his forearm digs into my hip. “Shit, princess. Your elbow is vicious.”
The voice is familiar, and I freeze, my nostrils flaring in a desperate attempt to pick up his scent.
Lemon and honey.
Holy fuck.
“I was expecting a warmer welcome,” he says, chuckling softly. “That dress is a nice distraction from my bruised kidney.”
I smile against his palm and spin around in his hold.
“What are you doing here, Magnum?” I whisper, praying my door is locked. Even if it is, it wouldn’t keep out my father’s men if they wanted to get in. That thought sends another crashing through my mind. “Wait, how did you get in?”
“I’m a thief. It’s what I do.” He wiggles his blond eyebrows, and a lazy smile crosses his face. “I’ve yet to meet a building that I can’t get into, but I’m here to check on you.”
My fingers dig into the material of his hoodie. “Why?”
“Why do I steal things?” He chuckles. “Because I’m very, very good at it.” The cocky confidence in his tone threatens to distract me, but I stamp that down and stay focused.
“Why would you come here to check on me?” I ask as my heart races.
We only spent a few hours together, and that was weeks ago.
I’ve thought about him a lot over the last two weeks, but I assumed I would never see him again.
After the altercation at the warehouse, Moretti told him to leave Boston that night. “I thought you left town.”
“I did.” He shrugs. “And I stayed long enough for my older brother to get things in line with the MC, but he kept trying to rope me into running for VP—”
My mind spins, and I take a step back. “I thought you said the O’Connors killed your brother in the explosion at the motel.” In reality, I know I heard him say that.
“They did.” His eyes rake over my face, and his hand tightens on my lower back.
“I’m also guessing they killed my father.
He never found his way back to Jacksonville, and to be fair, I did tell them to keep him.
Before this bullshit, I had two older brothers.
The one who stayed in Florida when Blade brought us up here to finish his vendetta is the one who took over the club.
He’s the president now. He and my mom aren’t exactly pleased with me, since I didn’t warn them about what was going down, but the Jacksonville chapter of the Demons is practically endangered.
He wanted someone he trusted at his side to help rule. ”
“How did that end with you back in Boston?”
“Fuck if I know,” he says softly as his head shakes. It makes the long blond hair on the top of his head fall into his eyes. “I needed a change, and I couldn’t stop thinking about what you said. I thought I’d stop by and see how things panned out for you.”
A lump forms in my throat, making it hard to swallow. I never should have told him about my predicament. Growing up, it was impressed upon me the importance of keeping one’s mouth shut. Blabbing about family business is a great way to get yourself killed.
“Well, shit.” The backs of his fingers brush over my cheek, and his scent bursts in the air. “You still engaged, princess?”
“To an entirely new someone,” I say, keeping my voice low. “And this guy is way worse than the original family I was promised to.”
“And that sexy little number is for him?” Magnum asks, sliding his hand around my lower back.
“This? It’s just something I had in my closet,” I lie. “I picked it for me.”
“I won’t complain about reaping the benefits.” He smirks, and my lady bits take notice.
Dammit.
I love confidence in a man.
“I’ve never gotten off on knowing a woman is taken, but it’s kinda hot that you have a fiancé, yet my hand is on your ass.” He slides his hand down, cupping my lower butt cheek, going slow enough that I could object. “Is that a cheating fetish, or does it mean I’m into you?”
I snort, but he did come all the way back to Boston to check on me.
Unless he’s just planning to kidnap and ransom me a second time…
Shit.
Growing up the way I did has messed with my head. Then again, he did help kidnap me, and despite being born into organized crime, that was a first for me.
“Are you going to kidnap me again?” I ask, studying his face.
“I hadn’t planned on it,” he says in a low, gravelly tone. “If you need me to toss you over my shoulder and get you out of here, I’m game.”
“Is that an option?” I ask, almost afraid to get my hopes up.
“Do you want it to be?” His pointy canines dig into his lower lip as his eyebrows rise.
“I mean…” My shoulders bounce. “Yeah, I wish I could get out of here, but I also know my family will hunt me down if I try to leave.”
“Eh, they could try.” His hand tightens on my backside, and he brings the other to brush over my cheek. “I’m not planning to go back to Jacksonville, at least not for a while. Traveling alone is boring. We could give it a go and see how things work out.”
The loud, echoing sound of someone banging on my door makes me jump. “We’re leaving in five minutes,” one of the twins calls through my closed door.
My eyes widen, and I swallow thickly.
“You hear me, Vanessa?”
“Yeah, I’ll be ready,” I say, projecting my voice so they’ll be able to hear.
Someone walking in right now would be disastrous.
Focusing back on Magnum, I whisper, “I have my engagement party tonight, but I’ll be coming back here afterward.
Can you get back in later tonight? Or stay and wait for me? ”
“You’re serious?”
I nod. “The man they’re trying to sell me to has had three wives. All of them have died under unusual circumstances. I’ll do anything I can to keep myself from being the fourth.”
“Jesus,” he mutters. “I remember you saying something about that. I have a few things to take care of, but I’ll stop back by in the wee hours of the morning. You’ll need to pack light.”
“I’ll leave with the clothes on my back if we can shop as we go.”
“Can’t use credit cards, princess. They’re too easy to track,” he says, but his tone isn’t condescending. It’s just very matter-of-fact.
A bright smile crosses my face. “I know, but I’ll need that bag space for the cash I plan to bring.”
“You’re going to be a fun partner in crime.” His head dips, and he pushes his thick lips to mine.
My nostrils flare, breathing in his lemon and honey scent as he captures my lower lip between his teeth. The light scrape makes me shiver, but he pulls away all too fast.
My nerves are shot as we walk into the warehouse. The party is taking place at the same location where the O’Connor brothers had their engagement party and claiming ceremony.
There are people everywhere, but I beeline for the first server I spot with alcohol on their tray.
I’m so panicky that I’m afraid I’m going to give away that there’s something more going on.
Grabbing a glass of champagne, I take a long swig.
I will be utterly heartbroken if Magnum doesn’t come back for me, and at the same time, I’m scared that he could be caught.
That, or we could be spotted on our way off the property.
Grigoryan is nowhere to be seen, and that’s a small gift considering how frazzled I am. My brothers keep their eyes on me at all times, but they give me space. They probably don’t want to have to listen to me bitch and complain.
I should give them hell, just to keep up the ruse.
No one will believe that I’ve simply accepted my fate.
I need tonight to go smoothly so I can make it home and disappear with Magnum. Under normal circumstances, it might seem crazy to contemplate running off with a man who technically kidnapped me, but I’d take my chances with him over Grigoryan any day of the week.