Page 134 of Deceptive Vows

The plan was to escape at the first opportunity, but I can’t do that now, and it should be my number one goal.

I already knew I couldn’t live the lie, so escaping was the only option. It was always theonlyoption.

Of course, the path would have to open for me to have the choice. Right now, I have nothing.

When I first came here, I was worried about death. I was worried Mikhail would find out I wasn’t who he thought me to be and kill me, and José, too.

I’m still worried about that.

But now I’m worried about love lost.

I never factored this in. I never even thought about it because there was no way I thought I’d fall for him.

Now, I don’t know what the hell I’m supposed to do.

Should I tell him?

I shake my head at myself and the craziness of the thought. Telling him would be a terrible idea.

And it’s too late. The time to tell him was long ago, and I’d be in the same danger now as I was then.

I’m stuck in a lie that’s going to become more entrenched with every day that passes. And I can’t go back to where things went wrong. Things went wrong for me long before I met Mikhail.

I can see in his eyes that he must feel something for me. I’m not sure he loves me, and I doubt he’d still love me if he knew the truth. I think the cartel would be more important to him than anything else.

That was my purpose.

My only purpose.

I always knew he could do whatever he wanted with me after we got married.

I glance at the clock on the wall and realize I’ve missed breakfast entirely and it’s lunchtime.

The last few days wiped me out, but it’s not like I have anything to do here.

I get dressed quickly. When I sit in front of the dresser to do my hair, a knock sounds at the door.

Thinking it’s Aleksander coming to haul me downstairs for food, I stand and gear up to tell him I’ll be down in a minute.

But when I open the door, it’s not Aleksander standing there.

It’s Sebastian.

I don’t really talk to him. Mostly because he’s scary. Not as scary as Mikhail, but scary enough for me to be wary. He’s also never said much to me or showed any desire to speak to me other than relay some order from Mikhail.

He looks me in the eye with his dark green ones and straightens.

“Mrs. Dmitriyev, I need you to come with me. Your husband wishes to see you.”

“He’s here?”At this time?Mikhail hasn’t been home at this time in weeks. At least not when he’s left for work for the day.

“Yes, come with me, please.”

“Of course.” I walk out of the room and follow him as he marches ahead of me.

This is odd.

Sebastian has never come up to the room to get me before. Both he and José have been on the grounds of the house for weeks now, and they’ve barely come inside, much less upstairs.