“Mom, I already told you, I’m fine.”
Her voice comes through hazily. I know it’s because she’s not holding the receiver to her mouth properly. She’s always been this way, buzzing around the house, cell phone held to her cheek with her shoulder while she tidies up or folds laundry. It drives all of us nuts.
“Mom,” I chide for the billionth time, “you have to speak into the receiver. I can’t hear you.”
“What?” Her voice is still soft before she readjusts the phone. “How’s this?”
“Jesus, Mom. Not so loud.”
“I thought you couldn’t hear?”
“I couldn’t hear when you weren’t holding the phone right. Now, you are, and I’m deaf.”
“How can you tell?”
“Because I can hear you,” I say, trying hard to hide my laughter.
“Oh, okay… so I can talk normal?”
“Phones are not a new technology, you know.”
“This phone is,” she complains. “I don’t know why your sister insisted on getting me a new one. My old phone was working just fine.”
“You had a Nokia flip the size of a brick.”
“Mhmm, and I miss the flip,” she retorts. “I miss the keyboard, too. I hate all this tap-tap-tapping.”
I snort with laughter. “Welcome to the twenty-first century, Mom. You’re only a little late.”
It feels nice to chat with her like old times. At least for a minute, I can forget how messed up everything is.
“Oh, stop that. I’m not old. I just like what I like,” she says. “And besides—your father gave me that phone.”
“Oh.”
And there it is again. The reminder bringing me back down to Earth.
“You keep asking me if I’m okay,” I say, “but… are you?”
“If my children are fine, so am I. Except my children are all in danger right now,” she says testily. “So no, I’d say not.”
“I’m not in danger, Mom,” I reassure, wincing at how forced and rehearsed it sounds. “I promise. I’m being treated well.”
“Where do you sleep?”
“In my own room,” I tell her. “He hasn’t tried anything, if that’s what you’re worried about. It’s the only question everyone else cares to ask.”
“Nor should he! I don’t understand why we can’t just get you back. Your brother’s an FBI agent, for crying out loud.”
“His hands are tied, Mom. And anyway…” I trail off before I can finish my sentence. Mom doesn’t need to know about the strawberry scarf or what that means to Rob. “Anyway, it’ll all work out. Trust me.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because I am.”
She sighs. “I have to admit, talking to you helps. You do sound like you’re doing well.”
“I am doing well.” As well as can be expected under the circumstances, at least.
“But what about your job?”
“He let me contact the agency yesterday. I spoke to Chadwick to let him know I’m taking a leave of absence, and I’ll contact him when I want to start work again.”
“Won’t that hurt your career? You’ve worked so hard to get to where you are.”
“I can’t concentrate on anything right now as it is, so it all works out fine,” I tell her. Mostly true, although Aleks’s walls would beg to differ.
“I suppose he wouldn’t let you work anyway.”
“I actually think he would. I’m the one who made the choice to stop.”
I frown, wondering why I feel the need to defend Aleks, even though he’s the reason I have to make all these hard choices in the first place.
“If you say so, dear.”
I decide to change the subject. “Have you been going to your book club meetings?”
“Not since… all of this,” she says rather vaguely.
It was the same way after Dad died. Mom still talks around it to this day. Well, when your dad… you know. As if it won’t be real if she doesn’t say the words aloud.
“You should go back.”
“I can’t just continue on with life as if nothing has happened.”
“That is exactly what you should do,” I fire back. “I told you, I’m living well here and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t do the same. Go to book club. Please. For me?”
She lets that sit for a moment. “I suppose I can think about it.”
“Good.”
“Are you still talking to her?” I smile when I hear Mia’s voice from the other side.
“Hold on, honey. Mia wants to talk.”
“Okay. Take care of yourself, Mom. And don’t worry about me.”
“I’m your mother, dear. I always worry about you.”
She passes the phone over. I can hear Mia panting slightly as she walks through the house. “Hey, you,” she says, between labored breaths. “How ya holding up?”
“Good enough, I guess. A little better.”
“Forced isolation has left you with plenty of time. I hear people in jail get really good at push-ups.”
“So we’re onto jokes now?” I roll my eyes. “I wouldn’t say I’m totally isolated. I see people.”
“Like who?” she scoffs.
“Um, well, the maids. Some of his men. And, uh…”
“Him?”
“Not often,” I say quickly. “Not if I can help it.”
“What’s it like?” she asks curiously. “Being around him?”
“It’s fine,” I say, careful to choose my words so she doesn’t revert to Big Sister Who Knows Best mode. “I mean, I really don’t see him much.”
“And he hasn’t tried to slip into your bed at night?”
“Mia!”
“What? It’s a valid question.”
“It’s a repetitive one. He’s not that type.”
“For someone who claims not to spend a lot of time with the man, you seem to have a pretty good handle of his character.”
“It’s just a feeling.”
“Mhmm.”
“Don’t do that,” I snap. “I’m not—”
“Stockholm Syndrome is a thing, you know?” she cuts in. “Especially when the guy who kidnaps you looks like Paris.”
“Paris?”
“You know, Paris, from Troy? Orlando Bloom?”
I snort. “I think you mean from The Iliad, you uncultured swine. And no, not like Paris. Aleks is more of an Achilles if anything.”
“Wasn’t Achilles gay?”
“Not in the movie, he wasn’t.”
“But that was the Brad Pitt one, right?”
“Yeah.”
I’ve watched that dumb movie like a thousand times. And it wasn’t for Paris.
“Well, obviously because they cast the wrong man. Orlando Bloom is not my type. Paris was supposed to be beautiful.”
“So you think Aleks is beautiful?” I tease, turning it around on her.
“Objectively speaking, yes,” she says. “But he kind of ruined the effect when he took me and my family hostage.”
I cringe. “Ah. Yeah, that’ll do it.”
She’s quiet for a moment. Then she says, “Liv,” in a tone I don’t like.
“Yeah?”
“I feel like you’re not telling me something.”
I frown. “Not true. I’ve told you everything.”
“Really? Because whenever we start talking about Aleks, you sound… different.”
“Different how?”
“Like you’re guilty about something.”
Jesus. Talking to my siblings is dangerous. They know me way too well. Mia can’t even see my face and she still picked up on my guilt.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“C’mon, honey. You’re running with the big dogs now. You’ve got to learn to lie better.”
I move towards the window and look past the garden towards the lake. I learned only yesterday that the lake is situated inside the compound, which means I can walk down there if I want.
“Tell me what it is,” she urges.
“There’s nothing to tell.”
“Olivia May.”
Uh-oh. She pulled out the middle name. Now, I know she means business.
I bite my lip, thinking about how to answer, but I get distracted when I see Aleks’s broad silhouette moving down the paved pathway that cuts through the garden. Demyan is right next to him.
Even from this distance I can’t help but admire the physical perfection of his body. The easy, arrogant walk. You can spot his confidence from space.
They bypass the garden and head down to the lake.
“… Hello? Earth to Liv. Where’d you go?”
“Uh, nowhere.”
Like I could tell her the truth. She’d skin me alive.
“Hey, munchkin,” Mia says, her tone growing softer. “You remember who I am, right? I’m not some random friend or colleague. I’m your big sister. You used to be able to tell me everything.”
I sigh. “Guilting me is usually Mom’s job.”
“Mom retired early. Now, it’s my turn.”
It’d be so easy to tell her. I’m feeling something and it terrifies me. But for whatever reason, I can’t bring myself to admit it. Maybe I’m more like Mom than I’m willing to admit: too afraid of the truth to say it out loud.
“You need to get out of the house more,” I tell her instead. “You need to meet someone.”
“Men my age are so damn boring. They don’t interest me.”
“You haven’t dated in a long time,” I point out.
“What’s happening here?” she asks in a teasing tone. “You’re married now, so you want to marry me off, too?”
We both laugh as I watch Demyan walk back up towards the house. Aleks stays by the lake, cutting a brooding figure against the metallic sheen of the sunlit water.
It feels like the perfect moment to go down there and start up a conversation. I have no idea what I’m going to say, but I have to earn his trust. I have to make him think I’m on his side so that he feels comfortable enough to tell me what he’s hiding.
“Listen, Mia, I have to go.”
“Go?” she asks incredulously. “Where? Is it time for your daily walk around the prison yard?”
“Umm, downstairs. I want to stretch my legs.”
“Oh, wow, you weren’t kidding. Well, walk after we’re done talking.”
“We are done, aren’t we?” I ask.
“Wow. My feelings are hurt. I really didn’t expect to be playing second fiddle to your damn kidnapper.”
“Will you stop?” I scold. “I just… I have to go.”
“So you and Rob are up to something,” she says shrewdly. “I guessed as much but he refused to tell me what.”
“We’re not up to anything.”
“It’s a little insulting to be kept out of the loop, you know.”
“We just want to protect you, Mia.”
“Is that it?” she ponders.
“Come on, what other reason would there be?”
She sighs. “Just be careful, Liv. He may look like Paris or Achilles or whatever, but the man can and will burn you. He already has.”
“I know. I’ll be careful.”
“Call me later, okay? I love you.” She sounds like she isn’t sure I’ll actually do it. Like this might be the last time we talk.
“I promise. Love you, too.”
I hang up and race to my walk-in. I stare at myself in the mirror, entirely unimpressed with what I’m seeing. I strip off my clothes and scan for the perfect outfit.
Too dressy and it’ll be obvious I’m up to something. Too casual and he’ll think I’m the same person I was when I walked in here.
I finally settle on a baby blue cotton halter dress. I pair it with flip-flops and keep my hair loose. Hopefully, it will strike the right balance. Breezy. Innocent. The kind of person you tell secrets to regarding your various kidnapping adventures.
I hurry through the house and head straight for the lake. But he isn’t there when I walk out.
I move to the edge of the lake, trying not to look too obviously like I’m searching for him. Still nothing, though.
Disappointment pools in my stomach, and it’s not just because my plan has been botched.
I try to take solace in the beauty. Failed plan or not, the water looks amazing. It’s a deep turquoise blue with emerald green moss growing along the fringes of the bank. I slide out of my flip-flops and step into it.
It’s warmer than I expected. I’m half-tempted to jump in and soak.
Maybe more than half-tempted, actually. My mission was a bust. I might as well enjoy myself, right?
I glance around surreptitiously, making sure I’m still alone. I could go for a quick dip and have my clothes back on before anyone noticed.
I reach back and start to unzip my dress—when I hear movement just behind me. I glance to the side without actually turning my neck and I see what I missed before, standing amongst the trees.
It’s definitely Aleks. Nobody else has shoulders that freaking broad.
I freeze, wondering if I should let on that I know he’s watching and zip myself back up. Or…
Seduce him.
The voice in my head is growing louder, more confident.
Seduce him. That’s how men like him operate. If he thinks you want him, then maybe he’ll give you something in return.
I feel the adrenaline pump through my body as the voice in my head gets louder. Resisting it is probably in my best interests.
Instead, I do the opposite.
I close my eyes and pull the zip down further.
It’s not a conscious decision. I follow my body’s urges. Instincts that I didn’t even know I had. And once I’ve made the decision, I commit fully.
I pull my dress down and strip until I’m standing at the edge of the water naked. I know he’s still watching, but I pretend to be unaware.
I step into the lake quickly and immerse myself in the water, basking in its silky touch. The sun is warm and the air is soft, quiet, expectant.
When I pop up again, I feel more adrenaline lance down my spine. I didn’t expect to feel so… empowered. I’ve never done anything this brave before, and I’m finding the high to be more than a little addicting.
Maybe that’s why, when Aleks steps into the light, I meet his eyes without the slightest bit of self-consciousness.
He moves forward, his eyes locked on mine, and leans against the big ash tree crooked over the edge of the lake.
“I couldn’t help myself,” I explain in a sultry voice like a 1960s detective movie dame. “The water looked irresistible.”
“I don’t blame you,” he says. “I’ve done the same in the past.”
“Well, sorry to encroach on your sacred space,” I say sarcastically. “I’m sure you have fond memories of all the girls you’ve brought to skinny dip.”
“Apology accepted. I like this view the best of them all.”
I wince as an uncomfortably intense rush of exhilaration powers through me. The way he’s looking, the way he’s licking his lips… he’s twenty yards away and it’s still the most erotic thing he’s ever done.
But I can’t show him that. Keep up the act. Play your role.
So I look around at the water and crinkle my nose. “Well, then maybe I’m not so sure I should be in here. I bet there’s unspeakable things floating around in these waters.”
“I wish I could deny that.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “You’re disgusting.”
“Don’t worry, moya zhena,” he says. “I haven’t brought anyone around since I married you.”
He’s teasing me. I can’t take anything he says seriously. But for some reason, those words comfort me.
“I’m sure that’ll change.”
I wait for more reassurance, but he gives me none. I shouldn’t care. We’re not really married. This isn’t real.
But my heart beats angrily even as I think about the possibility of another woman.
“Got you worried there, darling?”
He’s looking at me with his crooked smile and one wickedly arched eyebrow. That smirk conveys his intentions perfectly: he’s toying with me. He’s having some fun at my expense.
Well, fine. He wants to play?
Let’s play.
