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His sesture patient even as displeasure sparks in his eyes “In ti in your best interest”

“My best interest?” I whisper-cry, keeping uards won’t hear They know Alex is kidnapping er to help They don’t need to witness ainstme to abandon my mom” My voice cracks “She’s sick You know she has no one but me”

“Yourthe ar palm warm and dry on my chilled skin “I don’t expect you to fully understand ly for sohten, that spark of displeasure bleeding into so darker “Just know that disobedience isn’t an option, not where your safety is concerned You can throw your little rebellion if itIs that clear?”

I glare at him as painful emotions churn in my chest He’s just told er have a say in ht to ratitude? I’ry and hurt Most of all, I feel betrayed

Tears prick at the backs of my eyes Before he can see that weakness, I turn my face away

Only he doesn’t allow h he doesn’t force me to look at him, the words he whispers over the shell of my ear won’t let me off the hook “I asked you a question, Katerina”

Taking a breath, I find a semblance of calm and forceto hold back “Yes”

“Yes, what?” he asks, brushing his lips over my temple

I lean away from the touch “You’ve made yourself crystal clear”

This time, he lets me escape Not that I have anywhere to run or hide There’s no place to lick my wounds where the many eyes on the plane won’t see All I can do is pull into myself

Unseeingly, I look out theThis is not the future I envisioned when I told hi in love with him I’ve read articles about won lands with love, pretty promises, and luxuries, only to find themselves prisoners of the very h to escape got to tell their stories

You’re such an idiot, Kate You should’ve known

Yes, I should’ve I should’ve learned frons I knew froht this would be my fate, not for one minute