Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 78264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
“You have something my son wants,” Damien replies.
I’m yanked farther back and stumble, almost falling on my ass.
“Yank her again, and I’ll rip your fucking arms off,” Nikolai growls, his expression so dark and dangerous it makes a chill skitter down my spine.
“Let go of me,” I hiss before I manage to pry my arm free from my father’s biting hold. I rush forward, and Winter grabs my hand, pulling me to her. When her arm wraps around me, I feel emotional from the relief of being with the Vetrovs.
I take the ring off my finger and throw it at Antonio’s feet before clinging to Winter.
“You’re going to be okay, my baby,” she coos.
Feeling her motherly love, I bite my bottom lip, so I don’t start crying.
How can a woman I’ve only known a week feel more like a mother than the one who gave birth to me? It’s insane.
“I should never have left the island,” I whisper.
“It’s okay. We’ve come to take you home,” she assures me.
“Abigail belongs to me,” Nikolai declares with so much authority it has Antonio scurrying into the group of guests in an attempt to blend in with them.
“She’s my daughter,” my father barks. He lets out a burst of incredulous laughter. “Does Viktor know you’re here?”
“The bratva has nothing to do with this,” Nikolai mutters. “Viktor has no authority here. This is between you and me, Sartori.”
The confident expression on my father’s face wavers.
My mother downs her glass of champagne before helping herself to another while she watches the drama unfold with little interest.
What an empty life she must live. That would’ve been my future had I not met Nikolai.
Nikolai lets out an impatient sigh, then asks, “How do you want to handle this?”
“Everyone leave,” my father barks at the guests.
They all rush to get away as fast as possible, Antonio running with them.
Coward.
When it’s just the Vetrovs, Sartoris, and D’Angelos left, my father says, “Abbie is a valuable asset.”
My eyebrows lift, and I shake my head at the man who calls himself my father.
“How much?” Nikolai demands.
I can’t believe what I’m hearing, but understanding Nikolai is trying to avoid bloodshed, I can’t get upset.
My father’s eyes flick to me, and all I see is greed. “I would’ve obtained fifty million euros from Antonio on their wedding day.”
Say what?
Winter’s arm tightens around me as if she’s trying to comfort me because my father is selling me.
“How much do you want, Sartori?” Nikolai shouts, rage brimming in his voice.
“Double.”
Jesus Christ. One hundred million euros. That’s a shit-ton of money!
My eyes dart between my father and Nikolai. The tension builds until I expect one of them to pull out a gun.
“And, of course, an invitation to the wedding,” my father adds. “You don’t want an asset like Abbie to be free for too long. Another man might make me a better offer.”
Nikolai darts forward, slamming his fist repeatedly into my father’s face.
Damien moves quickly to pull Nikolai back, then whispers, “Stay calm. Focus on getting Abigail out of here.”
My father wipes the blood from his nose, sneering at Nikolai. “You should listen to your father, son.”
“I’m not your fucking son.” Nikolai glares at my father. “The money will be in your account by midnight.” He turns around, and grabbing hold of my hand, he drags me toward the mansion.
“I look forward to seeing the infamous Vetrov island,” My father taunts him. “It was nice doing business with you, Nikolai.”
“Keep pushing me, fucker,” Nikolai growls under his breath.
“Just keep walking,” Damien murmurs.
All the Vetrovs are on high alert as we rush through the house and out the front door. I’m bundled into an SUV, and Nikolai and Winter slide in on either side of me. Damien climbs in behind the steering wheel while Grandpa Cillian takes the passenger seat.
When we pull away from the mansion and drive through the gates, I glance over my shoulder and release a relieved breath. “I expected bullets to fly.”
Grandpa Cillian lets out a chuckle. “Enough money can stop any war.”
Right.
I was just sold to Nikolai.
As the thought crosses my mind, I’m yanked into my man’s arms and squashed to his chest. His breaths are harsh, as if he’s run a marathon.
“Thank you for coming for me,” I whisper.
“I’ll always come for you.” He holds me for a few minutes before he pulls back to look at me, his eyes drinking in the sight of me. “Did they hurt you?”
I shake my head and try to joke to ease the tension in the vehicle. “Damaged goods don’t sell for as much.”
I’m pressed to his chest again. “I was so fucking worried.”
I hold Nikolai tight, glad there wasn’t any blood shed today. I really don’t want anyone to die because of me.
After a while, I ask, “What happens now?”
“Now, we go home,” Winter answers.