Three

Dani was given a drab grey dress and black tights for her to wear. She looked like a convent nun but it surprisingly fit her well, and it unnerved her that her abduction may have been planned well ahead of time. Elena brought her a tray of biscuits and tea, but despite not remembering when she had last eaten, Dani left it untouched. She restlessly paced in her bedroom, tempted to find Alexei, but what would she say to him?

Ten million dollars in ten days. There was no way her father would be able to cough up that much money so quickly. Dani chose to be oblivious to many things where the family business was concerned, but she knew enough to know her father had to be in dire straits to start dealing with the Russians.

Dani chewed on her thumb. She had to come up with a game plan. Perhaps steal a car and drive far enough to get in contact with her father? She didn’t know a single word of Russian, but it was the largest country in the world, wasn’t it? Surely there were plenty of places to hide…

The door opened. Dani almost jumped as Alexei entered the room. He was still wearing the same suit sans the jacket.

“I see you’ve made yourself comfortable.” He eyed the tray of tea by the window. “How do you find the accommodations?”

“Generous.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “I was expecting to stay in that warehouse or somewhere similar.”

“I’m sure you wouldn’t want that.” He slipped his hands in his pockets. “I’d like to make this transaction as smooth as possible. I expect you’ll be more accommodating when you’re comfortable, which will make things easier for all of us.”

“What if my father can’t pay you on time?”

Alexei tutted. “You should have a little more faith in your father. I know I would like to, for his sake and yours.”

She did not return his humorless smile.

“I know we’re in Russia, but where are we exactly?” She licked her lips in unease. Perhaps if she gleaned some information, she’d be able to come up with a plan somehow.

“We are in the town of Unezhma, which is a 20-hour drive from Moscow.”

Dani bit back a curse. “Do you live here?”

“No, this is only a summer home.”

She looked at the endless patch of snow outside. Some summer home, indeed.

“You will be staying in this house for the next ten days. You are welcome to roam around and order the servants as you please.”

“Great. What’s the wifi password?”

Alexei flashed her a wide grin. “No phone, no wifi. However, there is a library downstairs.”

Dani’s shoulders dropped. No phone, twenty hours from the nearest civilization, trapped in a guarded fortress… How the hell was she going to get out of here?

Alexei straightened his tie and headed for the door. “Enjoy your stay, Miss De Luca. I’ll see you in ten days.”

“What? You aren’t staying here?”

There was a tinge of mischief on his lips when he faced her again. “I didn’t realize you wanted me to stay.”

An angry flush crept to her cheeks at the insinuation. “I don’t. Good riddance then. Maybe when you come back, I won’t be here anymore.”

“The guards are trained to shoot you on sight the moment you set a single foot outside this estate. I would think you should wish to return to your father alive and in one piece.”

His words of warning were eerily calm, as if merely discussing the weather. Her blood ran cold.

“Have a good day, Miss De Luca.”

The door closed behind him. Dani collapsed to the foot of the bed and stared at the window.

She was fucked. Well and truly fucked.