Chapter 17

Until now, I haven’t even taken in my surroundings.

Seeing that I’m in a quiet street, lights shining from the houses and smoke billowing from the chimneys, I hurry toward the nearest tree and crouch behind it.

A couple of seconds later, an old sedan drives by. I let out the breath I was holding and check my phone to see if I have a signal.

My heart is beating frantically, and desperation fills every inch of me.

Rising to my feet, I walk as quickly as I can up the street. I keep glancing over my shoulder and pick out hiding spots so I’m prepared should another car drive by.

God, I can’t believe I’ve gotten myself into such a mess. What was I thinking?

I start to doubt my decision to walk away, making my anxiety spike dangerously high.

I should’ve stayed. If Karlin finds me next to the road, God only knows what he’ll do to me.

Shit, I can’t go home. Mr. Aslanhov will be so angry, and I’ll have to face Karlin.

God, what have I done?

Suddenly my phone vibrates in my hand, and seeing I have a signal, elation makes me dizzy.

My cold fingers fumble as I go into my list of contacts and press dial on Armani’s number.

As the call connects and ringing sounds in my ear, a raindrop splats on my cheek.

I glance up as the heavens open, an icy sheet of rain coming down in full force.

Just my freaking luck.

“Hey,” Armani’s voice comes over the line, “I just sent you a message.” “I need help.” The words rush from me, my voice tight with panic. “God, I don’t know what to do. I think I screwed up badly.” My voice strains as tears push to my eyes, and my emotions spiral out of control. “I

don’t know what to do,” I gasp as I start to run.

“Tiana, where are you?” His voice is filled with a world of danger, and there’s no sign of the gentleman I got to know last weekend.

“I’m running toward the city,” I say breathlessly.

“What are you running from?” I hear movement on Armani’s end. “I’m coming to you.”

“Karlin Makarova. Mr. Aslanhov arranged a marriage between us. I tried to hold out until Misha got back from his honeymoon, but I can’t.”

“Send me your location so I can keep track of where you are,” Armani demands. “Go to the nearest hotel and call me from there. I’m on my way.”

Unable to run any longer, I slow my pace to a brisk walk as I frantically glance around me. “I made a mess of things, right? God, they’re going to be so angry. I shouldn’t have run away.”

“You did the right thing, Tiana. Send me your location, find a hotel, and call me. That’s all you have to do right now.”

I nod like a lunatic and quickly go into my map app to send Armani my location. When I put the phone back to my ear, I ask, “Are you still there?”

“Yes, piccola. I’m here. I’ll be in Russia in three and a half hours,” he assures me.

Feeling horrible, a sob escapes me. My voice is thick with tears as I say, “I’m sorry for dragging you into this. I didn’t know what else to do.”

“You did the right thing.”

I hear another car and quickly glance over my shoulder. Seeing headlights beaming through the rain, I break out into a run and duck behind

a car that’s parked in a driveway. “What’s happening?”

“There’s a car coming up the road,” I whisper. “I’m hiding.”

“You’re doing good, piccola. Stay hidden until it’s safe to move again.” Huddled against the tire, I’m shaking so badly my breaths are audible.

The rain is soaking through my coat, making me feel like a frozen block of ice.

“Tiana?” Armani asks. “How are you holding up?”

“I’m scared.” I gasp, and with my free hand, I wipe the rain from my face. “It’s raining, and I’m cold.”

“Cazzo!”

It sounds like a curse, and my wild guess is it means fuck.

When the car has passed and I’m sure it’s safe to move again, I get up and run.

“I’m at the airfield. I have to end the call. If anything happens while you can’t reach me, call Alek.”

“I don’t want to drag him into this mess. It will only create more trouble between him and his father.”

“Tiana,” Armani’s voice is harsh and commanding, “call Alek if you can’t reach me. It’s an order.”

Chills rush down my spine, and I nod even though he can’t see me. “Okay.”

“You can do this, piccola. Just stay safe until I get to you,” he says, the urgent tone making my blood pump faster through my veins.

“I’ll do my best.”

The call ends, and I quickly shove my phone into my purse. I start to run again, and even though my lungs are burning from all the exercise, I keep pushing myself while constantly checking my surroundings.

My nerves are worn thin by the time I reach the city. Even though there are more people out and about, I’m still on guard as I search one street after the other for a hotel.

I have no idea how long I’ve been walking in the rain when I finally find a hotel. I hurry into the lobby and rush to the reception counter.

“I need a room, please.”

The receptionist smiles compassionately at me. “Poor thing. You got caught in the rain.” She types on the keyboard, then says, “Can I have your ID?”

I pull the document out of my purse and hand it to the lady. “How long will your visit be?”

I have no idea how long I’ll be here, so I give her a random number. “Three days.”

“The account needs to be settled in full before you check out,” she warns me.

“Okay.”

I’m given a key and room number, then she smiles brightly, “Enjoy your stay.”

“Thank you.”

Walking to the old elevator, I glance around the lobby, and only when the doors close behind me and I’m taken to the second floor, do I release a breath of relief.

I dig my phone out of my purse and quickly send Armani a text.

I’m at the S7 hotel. Room 2OC.

The elevator doors slide open, and rushing to the room, I let myself in and make sure to lock the door behind me.

I only spare a second to look at the plain furniture before going to the bed. Stripping out of the wet coat, I pull the cover from the mattress and

wrap it tightly around my feezing body.

I glance around me again, feeling terrified of what’s going to happen once Mr. Aslanhov finds out I ran away.

Oh my God! I should’ve stayed and held out until Misha came back.

What have I done?

I sink down to the floor, and bringing my knees to my chest, I wrap my arms around my shins and bury my face in the covers.

What have I done?

Overwhelmed by everything that’s happened, my tears start to fall.