Page 52 of Beautiful Secrets

Mika happens to look at me. But as soon as she spots my expression, she straightens again, body stiff as the stool she’s sitting on.

My smile turns into a grin.

19

Mika

The uneasiness in my belly is back. I made Cole angry.

Idiot.

This is what happens when you treat a kidnapper like a friend. It is foolish. Dangerous.

I thought I could make him sympathetic, but I only ended up letting my guard down. And so what if he doesn’t approve of our traditions? He is an outsider. Scottish, not Russian.

What I need to know is what he is planning to do with me. Has he spoken with my father since the last conversation I overheard? Have they reached an agreement and set a price? Or are they still negotiating?

I snort to myself. I can easily speed up those negotiations—whatever Cole is asking for me, it is too high. But when they do agree on a price, Cole will take me home, and Aleksandr will send for me, and I will be taken to a new prison.

I cannot let that happen.

There must be a way out of this. Surely, he cannot just stay in this room all day. Father is hardly ever home—he is always out on meetings and inspections. If Cole isPakhanof his family, then he will eventually have to show his face outside of these walls.

I will just have to wait until he does.

When I glance behind me, Cole happens to be looking in my direction. I quickly look away.

Since last night, I become queasy every time I see him.

Is it the sweets we had last night? I seldom eat so much junk food—maybe it upset my stomach.

My foggy brain and queasy stomach may have caused me to overreact. After all…what happened yesterday was not actually rape.

Even though I was terrified, I did not want Cole to stop.

But would the same have been true if he was just some man I had met? Perhaps even someone I was dating?

I am not even sure if I am a prude, or a slut.

I would have to have dated someone to know.

Is what happened yesterday normal? Or will Aleksandr backhand me and call me ablyadwhen Cole takes me home?

More importantly—would it be a gross exaggeration, or the simple truth?

The skin between my shoulders begins to crawl. Is Cole still looking at me?

I check over my shoulder.

His smile would make the devil proud. My heart leaps into my throat as I hurriedly straighten.

Chyort! What was that look for?

The glass door slides closed, and I bite the inside of my lower lip.

I cannot live in this state of constant fear. I must escape him before I forget why I was even running from home in the first place.

Cole moves to the front of the countertop, pausing opposite me.