Chapter 7 #2
She wrapped her arms around his waist, her anxiety lessening a bit. “I trust you more than I’ve ever trusted anyone. I’m just scared. You don’t know him or my father, like I do. You don’t know what they are capable of. You’re a good man, they are not. Not by a long shot.”
He rested his cheek on the top of her head as he enclosed her in his arms. “I’ve known evil men, but they didn’t get the best of me and these two won’t either.
We stand together here. No matter what happens, you have to promise me the you will trust me and not do anything that I don’t tell you to do. Understand? No playing martyr.”
“I won’t. I promise.”
The day of the barbeque arrived. Millie made a pan of cheesy hash browns, also known as funeral potatoes, and a large bowl of coleslaw. “Adam!”
He walked into the kitchen from the dining room, followed by Benjamin. “You called, wife.”
“I need someone to carry these dishes out to the table where the other sides are being dropped off.” She looked over Adam and then Benjamin. “I think you two will do. Okay, pick them up and take them outside. Come on. Chop. Chop.”
From outside she heard a familiar voice. “It’s very nice to meet you, Mr. Sullivan. I had hoped to meet Mrs. Sullivan, too.”
“Oh, I’m not married. You must mean my sister-in-law, Millie,” said Gabriel. “She’ll be around shortly. In the meantime, please enjoy yourself.”
Inside, Millie’s stomach churned so much acid she was surprised there wasn’t a wound on her back leaking the acid. “You promised.” She turned on Adam when he returned from taking the food out. “You said there was no way he could be here. You lied.”
“Millie, I didn’t know. Please believe me. Go up to the bedroom and don’t come out until I come to get you. No one else, just me. Understand?”
She nodded, and her chest heaved as she ran for the stairs. Millie had just reached the top when she heard Ricard from the kitchen. She stopped to listen and see if she could see anything without being seen herself.
“Ah, there is no Mrs. Sullivan here either. Where are you hiding her, Mr. Sullivan?”
“Why are you so interested in my wife,” asked Adam.
“I simply thought we might have some things in common. Like perhaps coming from the same city.”
“I doubt it. My wife is a country girl.”
“I would still like to meet her. Janine has told me so much about you all, including that you married quite suddenly.”
“Well, Janine, has been known to be wrong. My wife and I dated for a long time before deciding to marry.”
“So, why can’t I meet her?”
“She’s taken to bed with a migraine and I’m afraid she won’t be joining us this afternoon. You’ll just have to make do with Janine.”
“I’ll lay it out for you, Mr. Sullivan. I won’t be leaving until I see Milena Ivanov for myself.”
“That’s where you are wrong, Mr. Sokolov. You and Janine will be leaving right now.” He snapped his fingers.
Millie’s pulse raced and her heart beat a rapid tattoo. She knew at least two security officers were in the house. They would probably have been drawn to the conversation, and so responded to the snap of Adam’s fingers.
“Please escort Mr. Sokolov and his friend off the property and see that they don’t return,” said Adam.
“Yes, sir,” responded one of the security officers.
Millie walked to the bedroom. Her whole body shook, even as she walked to the window to see him leave.
No mistaking Ricard for anyone else. He was tall with blond hair and green eyes.
He wasn’t muscular like Adam or any of the Sullivans for that matter.
He was slender and his personality could only be described as oily.
And now, even though it was a barbecue, he still wore a suit.
Typical. He never cared about anything or anyone, other than himself, enough to try to fit in.
A knock sounded.
“Millie, it’s me. Open the door, please.”
She unlocked the door. Adam entered the bedroom and took her in his arms. “Are you all right? He didn’t see you and everyone knows or will know not to let him on the property again, regardless of who he comes with.”
She looked up at him but stayed in his embrace.
“What will happen when I go to town? I can’t stay holed up here at the house forever.
That’s no kind of life to live…it’s not even living.
It’s surviving, and I want to do more than just survive.
I want to live.” Millie pulled out of his arms and started to pace.
“I want our children and grandchildren to be free. Isn’t that what you want, too? ”
“I do.” He ran a hand through his hair. “You know I do.”
She huffed out a breath. “I know. I’m sorry, Adam but Ricard being here, so close, really has me on edge.”
“If I’d known Janine was bringing him, then I wouldn’t have invited her.
He probably targeted her directly or maybe her family knows him, I don’t know.
They are Russian, so I guess it’s possible her father knows him or of him.
Vlad has always been a good friend. I’ve known him most of my life.
His daughter, Janine, is Daniel’s age. She’s never been married, so coming here with a handsome date would have appealed to her.
She’s had crushes on all of us except Gabriel, at one time or another. ”
“Why hasn’t she married? She’s not ugly and would probably be a great help around a ranch.”
“Her father. He’s never approved of any of the men who have wanted to date her.”
“But she’s an adult. She doesn’t need his permission to date.” And I let my father dictate who I could date and then marry. But I’ve fooled him and married who I wanted to, regardless of the initial circumstance. I’m falling in love with Adam, if I haven’t already.
Adam crossed his arms over his chest. “This coming from a woman whose father sold her to the highest bidder? I think you and Janine have more in common than not.”