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I frown. “He got back before us?”
“Go.”
I can’t shake this iffy feeling I have, but I go into the mansion and straight to my father's office and knock.
“Come in,” my father’s gruff voice calls.
I enter and smile. “Father.” He stands up, and I rush to give him a hug. “Oh, I’ve missed you.”
“Elena, my darling child.” He wraps his arms around me. “Did that brute hurt you? I’ll have him killed.”
“No, he didn’t hurt me, Father.” I smile at him as we separate. “What did you negotiate with him knowing my brothers were going to get me.”
“I didn’t go to the meeting,” my father smiles proudly. “I wasn’t going to do business with a Milov scum after he kidnapped my only daughter.”
“Father!” I say. “You always do business the right way.”
“The Milovs have their own problems,” he says.
“Father, did you buy the butcher shops under the Milovs' nose?” I ask hotly.
“Butcher shops? What use would I have for butcher shops?” he asks. “Don’t worry about a thing. You go shower and get freshened up. We can have dinner together, and you can tell me about what happened.”
“Father, don’t lie to me because I’m a woman. What are you going to do with those butcher shops? That’s what started all this nonsense.”
“I don’t have anything to do with any butcher shops,” my father says. “Elena, don’t tell me you believe that scum over me?” He frowns. “If I had business to do, I wouldn’t go behind the Milovs' back to do it. I don’t do business like that, you know that.”
I fluster slightly. He takes me by the shoulder. “I hate that the little rat has tried to poison you against me. He clearly lives in a fantasy world. I will still have my revenge against him for taking you from me.”
“No, Father, it’s fine. He didn’t treat me badly even though our families are enemies. He fed and clothed me and even gave me things to do while he made his plans.” I take my father's hand. “No revenge is needed. I’m home safely.”
“Hello,” I hear a voice call from outside. “Anyone home?”
My father leads me to the door, saying, “It’s your cousin, Darius. He doesn’t know about the kidnapping, so don’t say anything.”
We walk out of the office, and Darius sees us and claps his hands. “Hello uncle, cousin. Elena, you look like you’ve been run over by something. Partying too hard?”
“Went for a run in the mountains.” It’s not entirely a lie.
“Elena was just going to shower and get dressed. Why don’t you join me for a drink, Darius?” My father sweeps his arm behind him. “Out on the deck outside.”
“Sure, Uncle, there are things I want to discuss with you. Bye, Elena.” My cousin leans over and kisses each of my cheeks before leaving with my father.
I run upstairs to my room. Everyone is so happy to see me. It still doesn’t feel right that my father stood up Arseny, and he’s not going to be happy when he gets back to that warehouse.
I wish I had some way to reach him.
Chapter 19 - Arseny
When I arrive, I park a block away. I check the trunk of the car, strap a gun to myself, and take three knives, holstering the knives on my belt. I put my suit jacket over everything and walk the rest of the way to the storage lockers where we’re meeting.
It’s quiet, and no one is around to disturb us, which is why I picked this spot.
I keep a keen eye open for anything that could prove to be dangerous. I have Elena as leverage to ensure I’m not hurt in any way. They won’t want to find her dead from starvation.
I glance at the time. They should be arriving now. I pace back and forth and then realize that makes me look nervous, not the look I’m going for at all.
I lean against the wall and cross my arms instead, watching the only entrance to the area. If anyone comes, they have to come through there.
