Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 114584 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 573(@200wpm)___ 458(@250wpm)___ 382(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114584 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 573(@200wpm)___ 458(@250wpm)___ 382(@300wpm)
“I need to go to the bathroom,” I whisper under my breath. It’s only half a lie. I don’t need to pee, but I really need to get out of here, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
“I’ll take you,” Julian growls. He finishes his drink before slamming the empty glass down. He shoves off his seat and motions for me to get up too. His eyes are dark, feral, and I wonder if simply asking to go to the bathroom is the final nail in my coffin.
Apparently, I don’t move fast enough because, in the next instance, he is grabbing my hand, tugging me from the stool, giving my wobbly legs and unbalanced feet no time to adjust. One step is all it takes for me to lose my footing, causing my body to collide with his firm back, my cheek resting against the smooth material of his tux.
His entire body tenses, vibrating with rage or maybe something else. I wouldn’t be surprised if he truly did decide to sell me at this point.
At least he gives me a moment before he starts walking again. Looking down at the ground the entire way to the bathroom, I make sure not to trip over my own feet again. When he comes to a stop, I realize we’ve reached the restroom.
He releases my hand and gives me an impatient glare when I look up at him. The coldness in his eyes chills me to the bone, and I walk into the bathroom on unsteady legs, doing my best to keep myself upright.
Sighing in relief, I stand before the huge mirror, resting my hands on the edge of the expensive-looking sink. The bathroom is completely empty, not that I expected there to be many women in here, not when the entire place is packed with men.
Taking a couple calming breaths, I focus on my reflection. My face is put together beautifully, but everything else about me screams, look at me. I want to burn the dress I’m wearing and toss the shoes on my feet into a river. I hate everything about this night, and even more the way it’s causing Julian to put walls up and push me out. Tears fill my eyes, but I blink them away. I cannot ruin my makeup by crying because then Julian will know I was in here sulking and not going to the bathroom, and with the mood he’s in right now, I don’t doubt he would threaten to hurt Marie over something as small as that.
Straightening my shoulders, I’m preparing myself to exit the bathroom when the door opens, and a petite blonde enters. I’m shocked to see her, but I’m even more shocked when she opens her mouth.
“Elena, your father asked me to give you this,” she speaks low, low enough that there is no way Julian will hear from the other side of the door. Still, my first instinct is to look at the door and make sure he isn’t racing inside.
Glancing away from the door, I look down at what she is trying to give me. In the palm of her hand rests a silver key.
“What is that for?” I whisper.
“The key to your bedroom. Take it.” She shoves the key into my hand, the cool silver metal resting coldly and with the weight of a brick on my palm.
The woman looks back to the door before looking at me again. “Your father wants me to tell you that Julian has been trying to kill him. Ever since you were taken, he’s been trying to find a way to save you, but he worries that if Julian succeeds in killing him, that you will be next. You need to get away now before it’s too late.”
“But…”
“No time. Just get away the first chance you get. Good luck.” And with that, she spins around on her heels and walks out of the ladies room, leaving me standing there with my mouth gaping open.
What the hell was that?
I look down at the key in my hand, trying to digest everything this woman just told me. How did my father get a key to the room in Julian’s house? Why is Julian trying to kill my father when he bought me for ten million dollars?
I have so many questions to ask and no one to ask them.
“Elena!” Julian’s gruff, muffled voice filters through the closed door, snapping me out of my own thoughts. I quickly shove the small key into the built-in bra of my so-called dress.
“Coming,” I call out.
Rubbing my sweaty palm down my dress, I take one last look in the mirror. You can do this. Opening the door, I find an angry looking Julian on the other side.
“What were you doing in there?” He pushes the door open further to look inside.