Page 165 of Forbidden Forget-Me-Not
Guards were positioned subtly at every corridor intersection. I noted them all.
“I’ll show you to your room. You’ll want to freshen up and change before dinner.”
His subtle way of saying lose the hoodie, but I was tempted to fashion it into a dress and wear it anyway. My pettiness was seeping out.
“I’ll come with you,” Father offered.
I leveled him with a hard stare.
“Thanks, but I don’t need you anymore.” I turned my eyes to Sven. “Sven can come as my personal guard, but I don’t want to see the rest of your men near my room.”
The air shifted around us.
Dimitri looked ready to snap, but he pressed his lips together and gave a curt nod.
“She has spirit. Definitely a Mikhailov.”
Julian chuckled lightly, as if my behavior was amusing. Father didn’t seem to agree.
Before I walked away, I turned to my father and held out my hand. He stared at it.
“I want a phone to text Mother. I assume she doesn’t know where we are.”
“I’ll notify those who need to be made aware of our location.”
His voice was low and authoritative, leaving no room for argument.
“Great. So I’m a prisoner bride. I traded one cell for another.” I tossed my hair over my shoulder and turned my back on my father, dismissing him.
Julian was quiet as we walked through the house, Sven following a few strides behind. We stopped in front of two tall, ornate doors. Julian opened them with theatrical flair, and we stepped inside. Sven waited in the hallway.
The room was larger than any bedroom I’d ever seen before. He pointed out the bathroom and closet with a smile that meant nothing. I drifted to the window overlooking the sea, wishing I could ride the waves and leave this place.
“Did you hear me, Kaylani?”
“No.”
“Dinner will be in two hours.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“Well, that’s not really the reason for the meal. You’re meeting my parents and my brothers. Don’t eat if you don’t want to, but I expect you to be there.”
I didn’t bother to reply or even turn around.
“It would be wise not to try my patience.”
I still didn’t acknowledge him.
Finally, Julian sighed and walked out. Sven closed the door. The sound of the lock turning pierced the silence like a warning.
It felt final. For the first time since the limo pulled away in Vegas, I felt the cold bars of my new cage, and a single tear trickled down my cheek.
Chapter
Forty-Three
KAYLANI
