Page 35 of Sweet Deception (Savage Vow #2)

ANNA

––––––––

Two weeks had passed, and in that time, Gleb and I had been insatiable, making love everywhere, the kitchen, the pool, the living room, the library, even the damn yard.

I hadn’t known what I’d been missing until now.

He could be slow and deliberate when he wanted, teasing out pleasure until I trembled, or rough and demanding, leaving me breathless and sore.

I thought I might grow tired of it. But I hadn’t. And maybe I never would.

Now, though, I was paying for it. My legs ached, my muscles burned, and even the simplest movements reminded me of the way he had taken me, how many times, how thoroughly.

This morning, he had left early, but unlike before, he told me where he was going and when he would return. A small thing, but it made me feel... valued. No longer an afterthought. No longer left waiting, wondering.

I was pulled from my thoughts by the shrill ring of the house phone. Zoya.

Time for breakfast.

I freshened up quickly before heading downstairs. Just as I reached the dining room, my phone rang. A number I didn’t recognize. I ignored it.

By the time I sat down, it rang again. And again. Frustrating. Finally, I answered, pressing the phone to my ear with a sigh.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Ann... It’s Nate.” The voice was urgent, strained.

I stiffened. Nate? Gleb’s friend? How did he even get my number?

“Nate?” I echoed, frowning.

“Yeah, Gleb’s friend,” he said, his voice strained. “You forgot me already?”

There was a grunt on the other end, as if he was struggling with something.

“I remember,” I said slowly. “Is something wrong?”

“Could you get me a nurse? I got shot. The hospitals here won’t treat me without a police report, and... I’m losing blood.”

My breath caught. Shot?

“Oh my God! Where are you?”

“Vale Hotel. Room 808,” he said, his voice rough with pain.

“Hold on, Nate, I’ll...” The call ended.

I stood abruptly, my pulse racing.

“Zoya!”

She arrived within seconds, her sharp gaze scanning my face. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s Nate,” I said, already reaching for my shoes. “He’s hurt. He was shot, and he needs a nurse.”

Zoya’s expression hardened. “Which Nate?”

“He was here the other day.”

“And why is he calling you of all people?”

I hesitated. “I... I don’t know.”

Zoya folded her arms. “Where exactly is he?”

“Vale Hotel.”

Her eyes narrowed. “So he wants you to come to his hotel?”

“I have to help him...”

“No.” Her tone was firm. “Anna, you can’t. Gleb won’t be pleased when he hears about it, and you know that. Don’t abuse the trust he’s given you.”

I swallowed hard. “But what if he doesn’t have anyone else?”

“He’ll find another way,” she said simply before walking away.

Doubt gnawed at me.

I picked up my phone and dialed Gleb. He didn’t answer, but barely a minute later, my phone lit up with his name.

“Sorry,” he said. “I had to excuse my clients.”

“I didn’t mean to disturb you, but... it’s Nate. He called me. He’s been shot and needs a nurse.”

There was a pause. Then, “I’ll send someone.”

“Did he call you?”

“Twenty-five times,” he muttered. “I was busy. I’ll send a nurse to him. Talk later.”

The call ended before I could say anything else.

Almost immediately, my phone rang again. Nate.

“Is the nurse coming?” he asked, his breathing ragged.

“Gleb is sending someone.”

“Anna, please, I... I’m dying.” His voice was weak.

I tensed. “Nate?”

Silence.

“Nate?”

Panic clawed at my chest. He was slipping. Dying. And I was just sitting here.

I shot up from my seat. “Zoya!”

No answer. She was probably in her room.

I rushed outside, spotting one of the guards near the gates. “I need you to drive me to Vale Hotel. Now.”

The guard barely hesitated before nodding. “Got it, ma’am.”

He opened the car door for me, and as soon as I slid in, he got behind the wheel.

I knew this was dangerous. I knew I should wait. But I also knew that if Nate died because I hesitated, I wouldn’t forgive myself.”

As we pulled out onto the road, I noticed two trucks falling into formation behind us.

“We’re being followed,” I said, glancing at the side mirror.

“That’s our security detail,” he said simply.

I exhaled, forcing myself to relax. Gleb was still being careful. His family was still hunting me. This was necessary.

By the time we reached the hotel, my heart was hammering. I climbed out as soon as the door opened and hurried inside, my guard following closely.

“Do you know how to treat a gunshot wound?” I asked him as we approached Room 808.

“Basic first aid.”

I hesitated only briefly before shoving the door open.

The scent of blood hit me first.

I froze.

The floor was soaked in red.

And at the center of it, Nate.

Face-down. Motionless.

“Nate!” I rushed to him, my hands shaking as I turned him over.

His face was pale. His lips were parted. I pressed my fingers to his neck, searching.

No pulse.

My chest constricted. Oh God.

I barely heard the door open behind me.

I turned, expecting the nurse.

Instead, I found cops.

“Mrs. Romanov, we received a report of an incident in this room. Can you step outside with us for a moment?”

Before I could respond, one of them firmly grasped my arm, yanking me to my feet. Cold metal snapped around my wrists.

“You have the right to remain silent...”

“Wait! What?!” My mind reeled. “I just got here! I didn’t...”

Where were the bodyguards? They had been right behind me.

Fear gripped me as I was dragged out of the room. My breath came fast, erratic. This isn’t happening.

There had to be CCTV cameras, right? Someone would see I had nothing to do with this?

I was shoved into the back of a police car. My panic only grew as the vehicle pulled onto a dirt road, its speed increasing.

This wasn’t normal.

I leaned forward. “Is your station this far?”

One of the men turned in his seat, smirking. “Shut up, woman.”

No.

Their professionalism was gone.

My stomach twisted as realization dawned. They weren’t cops.

The car lurched to a stop in front of an abandoned building.

The door opened.

And then I saw her.

Valentina.

She strolled toward me, cigarette in hand, amusement curling her lips.

“Did you really think we wouldn’t get you?”

I swallowed hard.

“Grandma,” I whispered, shaking my head. “Not again.”

“I’m not going to hurt you, sweetheart. Never again.” Grandma’s voice was soft, almost sorrowful. “But I’m afraid you must return to your father. We’ve renegotiated our terms.”

A sharp pain ripped through my chest. My throat tightened as I whispered, “They will kill me.”

“No, dear.” She walked toward me and brushed my cheek with her warm hands. “They won’t harm you, sweetheart. They only want what’s best for you. You belong with them.”

“No. I don’t want to go back.” My voice cracked.

Grandma sighed, as if I were being unreasonable. “Why? You knew this marriage was temporary. Why are you acting like your parents’ home is suddenly a hell?”

“Because it is.” My voice cracked.

If I returned to my father, that would be the end of me. He would never let me escape him again.

A distant roar cut through the air. My breath hitched as I turned toward the sound. A chopper. My chest tightened as the aircraft grew closer and closer, finally touching down with a violent gust of wind.

“Gleb will not be pleased with this,” I said, desperation curling around my words.

Grandma exhaled, unbothered. “Of course, he won’t. He’ll go mad, maybe even declare war. But it’s already been handled.”

I shook my head. “You’re wrong. He won’t let this happen.”

She gave me a pitying look. “You may think he loves you, but he doesn’t. It’s obvious. He couldn’t even bring himself to touch you.”

“That’s not true.” My voice wavered.

Two men approached, gesturing for me to step forward. I understood immediately, if I didn’t go willingly, they’d force me in.

“Please... Grandma.” I pleaded.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” she said gently. “But if your parents wanted you dead, they would have done it years ago.”

I hesitated, my pulse pounding in my ears.

Valentina scoffed. “He won’t be coming. He doesn’t even know you’re missing.” She smirked. “We have eyes on him.”

I panicked. “I’m pregnant.”

One of them scoffed as he grabbed me. “How? He hasn’t even touched you.”

Rage flared in me. I shoved him back violently. “Stop fucking touching me!”

Valentina’s eyes narrowed, then she lifted her hand, and the men backed off slightly.

“He’s had sex with you?” she asked, suspicion creeping into her voice.

I nodded. It was a lie, a desperate stall for time. I prayed Zoya had already realized I was missing. Maybe, just maybe, Gleb would find me in time.

Valentina stared at me, as if weighing the truth. “Don’t lie to me, sweetheart. I can call a doctor right now.”

“I’m pregnant,” I said again, firmer this time.

Valentina let out a slow breath. “Take her inside.”

I was led into an unfinished house, cold, dimly lit, the scent of damp wood thick in the air. A wooden stool sat in the middle of the room. I sank onto it, my heart racing.

Please, Gleb. Find me.

Valentina strolled in, holding a small bottle. “Doctor will be here soon. In the meantime, he asked for a urine sample.” She handed me the container.

I took it with shaking hands. “Where’s the toilet?”

She smirked. “There isn’t one.”

I froze, glancing around. Several men stood in the room, watching.

Valentina waved them away. “Out.”

Once they left, I still felt exposed, humiliated. But I had no choice. I did what I had to do and handed her the bottle.

She stared at me. “Are you really pregnant, Anna?”

“I guess the doctor will confirm it,” I muttered. Then I lifted my eyes, locking onto hers. “You’re a wicked woman.”

Valentina’s expression flickered. “Excuse me?”

I stood, shaking with anger. “You think you’re untouchable? That you can ruin lives just because yours was ruined?” My voice hardened. “Nate getting shot. Nate calling me. Nate dying, that was all you. You orchestrated everything just to get me out of Gleb’s house. And an innocent man died for it.”

Her jaw clenched.