Luka smiles. “I would never go against my brother, Penny. Ever.”
His tone is one of finality, and I know there is no point in trying to convince his family to spare me. No one is going to save me. I only have Asher, and I can’t expect her to risk her life by betraying these types of men.
I reluctantly pick at the fruit before Luka asks me, “Why don’t we take a plate to your room? You can then eat as you get hungry.”
I nod. “Thank you.”
A different maid comes out this time, an older one, and she collects a little of each fruit for me on a tray and leaves ahead of us to go to my room.
“Can I see Asher one last time?” I ask.
“She’s busy,” Luka says quietly. “She has to sign a non-disclosure agreement before she’ll be allowed to leave. It’s standard procedure for anyone who comes here.”
“I’ve been to one of Kervyn’s apartments, and Kervyn didn’t ask me to sign one,” I say bitterly, as though I wish I had one. I don’t really. What I wish is that I can go back to my old life. I doubt Kervyn would even let me work now, considering I tried to run.
Luka walks me back to my room and hovers around while the maid settles things for me and makes the bed. “Am I ever going to be allowed out?” I ask as I stand by the window.
I can see the front yard from here and see Asher being escorted to a car. I raise my hand, but she doesn’t look back. I wouldn’t either if I were her.
A deep sadness envelops me as she’s whisked away. A small part of me wishes it was me, and then I’m overridden with guilt because I’d rather it be me in this position than my best friend.
“Although she signed the non-disclosure, I’m sure she understands the seriousness of betraying a family like ours. She’s a smart girl.”
“How could you treat her like that?” I ask, look at him. “I know you two spent the night together and that you chatted to her in the weeks up until we found out.”
“I know.” He smiles. “She’s a sweet girl, but I’m just not the kind to get settled.”
“That doesn’t mean you can’t protect her a little,” I mutter, crossing my arms.
“You live in a world where you think life is fair. Life is not fair, Penny. Life has never been fair, and quite frankly, it isn’t going to become fair.” I look at him as he stares pointedly at me. “You call my brother a monster, and yes, to some people, he might be. But he doesn’t have to be with you. You can have the world at your feet.”
“It isn’t a world I asked for,” I say, choking up.
Luka smiles sadly. “You think we asked for this. We have taken it and made it our own, as should you. Now, you’re confined to here until Kervyn makes his decision about where you’re officially staying, and then I’m sure you’ll be allowed to roam the house and grounds. For now, I would suggest you eat and rest as much as you can. Fighting with my brother is exhausting, I know.” He bows his head slightly and leaves, locking the door behind him.
I should have told him he doesn’t have to lock it. It doesn’t matter because I don’t want to explore the house and grounds, even if this is supposedly going to be my home. I don’t want this to be my home. I’d rather have my crappy apartment back.
I sit on the bed, but after a few moments, I notice my whole body hurts, so I get into the bed and curl up. I’m tired from the morning and doze off slowly.
When I wake up, the older maid is there again, and I blink. “What time is it?”
“Four in the afternoon,” she says briskly. “Mr. Milov has asked me to take you to the library to see him.”
I frown, but before I can say anything, she puts her hands on her hips. “No, I don’t have the time to argue with you, Miss Winters. Mr. Milov wants you, you go.”
I blush and get up, and I blush further when she walks away, saying, “And stop getting into bed with your dirty shoes.”
I follow her. She’s feisty, and I like her. She probably heads the house or something. I follow her down long hallways to what feels like the opposite side of the house. This place is huge.
We walk into a library the size of, well, an entire library. As in a small building. The ceiling is so high up there are stairs in the library leading to a second story.
“Oh…” I look around as my mouth drops open. I used to love to read in my spare time before I began working. When I worked, it was such long hours I never got a chance to read.
“This way, miss,” the maid says.
“What should I call you?” I ask curiously.
“Mrs. Beth,” she says. “Though you aren’t supposed to address the staff unless you want something, and the guards won’t talk back to you.” As she leads me across the vast space, I spot some ladders on rails that you can climb to reach higher shelves. I nearly squeal because it’s like something from the movies. I compose myself.
I can’t like this. It’s not mine, even if I am being forced to stay here.
Across the room is Kervyn. He is sitting at his desk, going over some papers.
“Thank you, Mrs. Beth, I’ll take it from here. Please ask Leon outside to wait to escort Miss Winters.” He looks up at me. “Hello, Penny.”
“Mr. Milov,” I say politely, although we both know it’s not really to be polite.
“Kervyn is fine,” he says, motioning for me to sit. “I have here our contract to marriage. Now, this confirms you’ve agreed to marry me along with a non-disclosure that you can’t speak about anything you hear or see that’s related to me in any way.”
I frown. “You don’t trust me? Great foundation to a marriage.”
“I don’t trust anyone. It’s how I’m still alive,” he says curtly. “Do you need time to read it?”
I want to say yes, but it doesn’t matter. No matter what I do or if I read it, he’s going to make me sign it. “I have no choice. Even the illusion isn’t appealing.”
He smiles. “You’re learning.” He holds out a pen, and I take it. He shows me where to initial and where to sign, and when we’re done, I sit back.
“Something I forgot to mention,” he says as he stacks the pages together. “There is also a clause confirming you won’t run away ever again.”
