Page 17 of Tangled Roses
“What’s happening?” I ask fearfully as he casts his cruel gaze the length of me.
He says abruptly, “Get ready. You are allowed one hour.”
“For what?”
“A party.”
“Excuse me.”
I never expected that, and he nods, a strange gleam in his eyes as he smirks, “What’s the matter princess, don’t you like dressing up?”
I think I hate this man. Really hate him because the arrogance surrounding him is cold and unappealing, so I stand and face him with matching energy and fire back, “No. I don’t because I’m not really feeling like partying in the middle of my abduction and surely the whole point of me hiding out here is in the title—to hide, not flaunt myself in public with a laser light trained on my head.”
He actually laughs, and that surprises me more than anything. This man has a sense of humor, or is it something else? Am I being used to tempt the assassin out into broad daylight so they can, well, I’m unsure what they want to do to him and I am rather curious about that.
He shakes his head as if he’s sharing a private joke with himself and then says in his deep voice, “Actually, you don’t have a choice, so go and do what you must, but this is what you are wearing.”
He snaps his fingers, and another man enters the room carrying a suit carrier and I stare at him in shock as he thrusts it into my hand and doesn’t even catch my eye.
Luka smirks as I stare in astonishment and then says dismissively, “Boss’s orders. Don’t keep him waiting.”
He spins on his heel and leaves and I am so tempted to fling this garment carrier after him, but I’m curious. What is happening and why am I excited? Is it because I’m bored as fuck, or is it because I get to see him again?
Arman Romanov.
The beautiful stranger who has locked me in the tower and now wants to play with his toy. Is that his intention, or is it something else entirely?
I’d rather die than not find out.
CHAPTER 10
ARMAN
It’s been one hell of a day and heading to this party is the last thing I want to do, but its importance isn’t lost on me. Everything I did today to secure our investments rests on making a good impression tonight.
It may also be because I’m interested in seeing my captive once again. For some reason, I have thought of her all day, resisting the urge to spy on her because the last thing I need is to become obsessed with the woman. No. Tonight I will use her to gather information and then fuck her out of my system.
I have done my homework and know that many of the women accompanying the men tonight come from the same agency. Burning Roses. The creation of Gabrielle’s mom.
I wonder if she will be there. If anything, the game has just got interesting because if she is and I walk in with her daughter, I’m interested to see if she recognizes her because I’ve been told she last saw her when Gabrielle was five years old.
I dress for the occasion. My usual black suit paired with a black shirt. The jacket concealing my weapon that I never leave home without. It’s doubtful I will use it, but I never take chances because tonight we go there alone. It’s one of the rules. Only the invited get to stay and any drivers, bodyguards or staff are required to wait outside.
These men are the most powerful in the country and it’s a closed environment. Their main aim is to cement their alliance and engage in acts that remain inside the establishment.
I make my way into the living area and reach for my customary shot of vodka to set my mood according to the situation.
Business.
Romanov business and my thoughts turn to my father and his reasons for these same visits. Was he having an affair for my entire life and did my mother know about it? Four times a year, he traveled to these parties with only one woman on his arm. An employee of Burning Roses. Veronica Scott-Stanley.
When Mikhail discovered her identity and Valentin sought out her niece for answers, all it did was raise many more questions.
Will I be the one to find the answers? I’ll certainly give it my best shot.
Luka heads into the room and says abruptly, “Your escort has arrived.”
I raise my eyes and his arrogant smirk causes me to roll my eyes.