Page 81 of Deceptive Vows

23

Natalia

Iglance at the clock on the wall for the millionth time, and my lungs constrict when I realize it’s close to ten o’clock.

Night fell a few hours ago, and Mikhail still isn’t back yet.

I haven’t seen him since last night. Another two hours will make it a whole day since he’s been gone.

I’m not certain about his usual habits, but with the exception of the one night I didn’t see him, he’s been home well before this time every night this week.

That call Mikhail got at minutes before midnight broke the spell I was under and placed me in a different one.

One that had me wondering how I changed from being the terrified woman who was looking for a way out, to the woman who was worried about her captor’s safety.

No one has said anything to me, and they’ve all gone about their day-to-day activities like normal. Maybe everything is normal, but I don’t think it is.

It’s bad enough I gave myself to him over and over again and the lines between us have blurred so much I can hardly see them. Last night, I forgot who he was, and I allowed him to take me in ways I never imagined.

I’ve spent the day flitting between thinking about how I lost control of myself and my thoughts when I was with him to worrying about where he is.

It’s clear something is going on.

Something bad that’s a continuation from Mexico. I don’t think it all ended with Raul’s death or taking me.

I have a feeling it’s either to do with the cartel or the repercussions of taking it.

Or it could be something bigger. Something Bratva related.

I have no idea because I have no details other than what I’ve seen and heard so far.

Whatever is going on has me on edge.

I told myself I was obviously worried about what’s going on because now that I’m Adriana Alvarez, I’ve set a bait on myself. Anybody could claim me and do the same thing Mikhail is doing to me. Maybe I’d just prefer the devil I know until I have a plan to escape him.

That’s what I told myself, although I knew deep down it wasn’t entirely true.

There was a moment when he opened up and didn’t seem like the beast anymore. It was as he spoke about his sister and what he did to go to prison. I’ve had people who’ve loved me, but they were taken away from me in a way to show me they could never protect me. Mikhail seems to be a man who would die protecting the people he loved, and if he could, he would have died trying to save his mother and sister.

The only good thing to come of last night was talking to him about things that were true. I knew I was dancing close to danger, but it gave me an ounce of myself back.

He knew the marks on my back were whip marks, and things are playing out to look like Raul was the cruel father. A sort of blessing in disguise.

I don’t know how long I can keep this up, but if he believes things like that, it will help me, especially during times when I can’t act like the pampered princess I’m supposed to be.

“These shoes would look great with the dress, dear,” Sophia says as she walks into the kitchen. I almost forgot she was here.

We were sitting in the sunroom looking through wedding shoe brochures when I came in here to get some water.

I needed a break. I got the water and got lost in my worries.

She gives me a smile as she sets the brochure on the countertop and points to a pair of delicate-looking embroidered three-inch heels. They look like an elaborate version of Cinderella’s glass slippers.

I agree. The shoes would look amazing with the dress I’ve chosen, but so would all the others she picked.

“I like those, too.”

“We have too many to choose from.” She gives me an exasperated sigh. “Here, have a look at the ones I circled, just to make sure you’ve seen everything that might be suitable.”