arrives, but now that Christian is expecting him, that once again foils our surprise attack. I need to think of another plan and fast, but at the moment, all I’m seeing is being blackmailed by another fucking Macrillo.
Could it be such a small world, after all? I’ve come to learn that yes, it is indeed. No matter how many people you meet in your life, the same assholes tend to linger and resurface over and over again.
I quickly secure my bow tie and slip into my tuxedo jacket. I have no idea what awaits, but I know it can’t be good. We’re stuck on an island with perverts and outlaws, and this is a recipe for disaster. The hidden camera under the light fixture follows my every move.
To the untrained eye, it would go unnoticed, but I once lived in a house such as this.
Christian has separated Ella and me. She’s safe—for now, as he needs her alive.
Running a hand down my face, I exhale. This is a mess.
Make no mistake, this bedroom is my prison cell because a guard mans my door at all times. So when I open the door and see some rent-a-cop standing in the hallway, all I can do is raise my eyes to the heavens.
“Take me to Ella,” I demand, leaving no room for argument.
“My order is to escort you downstairs. Guests will be arriving shortly.”
“Are you hard of hearing?” I question, buttoning my jacket, unimpressed. “You either take me where I want to go, or I’ll throw you from this top railing. You’re replaceable. I am not.”
My threat isn’t empty as I have no qualms about tossing him over the banister, where he can test his landing skills on the hard marbled floor.
With a huff, he leads me down the tiled hallway to a bedroom two doors away. This villa is very Mediterranean, and no expense has been spared. On any other day, I would say this place is quite striking, but now, all I can think about is burning it to the ground.
He gestures with his head that this is where Ella is, but makes it clear he’s not going anywhere.
Knocking on the door with my knuckle, I say, “Ella, it’s me.”
The door opens seconds later, and when I see Ella, I advance swiftly and draw her into my arms.
“Are you all right?” I ask, aware that she may not be able to answer because I’m squeezing her so tight.
“I’m fine. You?”
I chuckle in response, but it’s not filled with humor. “Where are the children?”
“They’re sleeping in the bed. I’ve bathed them. They—” She doesn’t need to fill in the blanks. I can only imagine the state they’re in.
I never want to let her go, but we must get tonight over with.
Regretfully, I loosen my hold on her, and when I hold her out at arm’s length, I can’t help but run my finger along her shoulder. I need to touch her, to make sure she knows I’ll never stop.
“Forgive me, we shouldn’t have come.” I express my regret because if I’d kept on sailing, we’d still be safe.
But she shakes her head, placing her hand to my cheek. “There’s nothing to forgive.”
She may think that, but I don’t. She’s in danger, yet again, because of me.
“Let’s go,” the goon barks, but when he puts his hands on Ella, ready to drag her away, I show him what I think of him and his order.
Without delay, I elbow him in the jaw, catching him off guard. Blood trickles from his mouth as he’s just bitten his tongue. He staggers back, attempting to find his feet.
“Touch her again, and I’ll rip the tongue from your mouth and feed it to you.”
He wipes the blood away with the back of his hand, glaring at me. But the message seems to have gotten through. He marches down the hallway, hinting we’re to follow.
Ella’s eyes are wide as I loop my arm around her, pulling her close to me. “Don’t leave my side,” I whisper as we commence walking.
“What’s plan B?” she says softly.
“I’m working on it.”
She doesn’t press, whether that’s because she knows these walls have ears, or if she knows that’s code for, I have no fucking clue what to do.
As we take the stairs, I’m on high alert, taking everything in, and when we’re led into an alfresco area overlooking the picturesque scenery, my senses sharpen. Before me stands, Galina—a Russian aristocrat who owns almost every nightclub in Russia, which she uses for