Chapter 2 The Devil's House

My knees buckle beneath me. I snatch the phone from Nikolai, taking in the picture. It really is Adrian. Another woman curled against him.

"N.. No," My voice cracks with emotions. "He loves me. This is fake."

I pinch and zoom the photo, looking for anything that hints towards it being photoshopped. But, I find nothing. The photo is seamless.

No.

It can't be real. Not my Adrian. He wouldn't.

"You see?" He asks in a slow, honeyed drawl. "You were about to marry a cheat."

"Shut up," I snap, shoving the phone back to him. "You know nothing about Adrian. You have no right to judge him."

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, Mrs. Volkov."

I frown. Volkov?

I look around, half expecting Adrian to show up and deny everything. But he's gone. Notwithstanding, I don't believe that photo. He wouldn't do this. Adrian would never. I need to speak to him. My phone must still be with Dad. I just have to go back inside. My legs move forward, walking away when Nikolai snags my wrist from behind.

"What—"

A sharp sting pierces my neck. My vision begins to blur but through the haze, I see him toss an empty syringe to the ground.

"No.." My voice is a rasp.

"Sweet dreams," he whispers. "Mrs Volkov."

My body hits the ground with a thud. And everything goes black.

..

My eyes flutter open to the sight of an unfamiliar ceiling. A surge of adrenaline shoots through me. Where am I? My gaze drops to my now wrinkled and heavy dress. Oh no. Everything flows back in. The wedding, Nikolai and—could I be at his place?

I lurch to the door, pulling the knob. Locked.

"Hello?" I bang my fist against the wood. "Anyone? Please open the door."

Silence meets my words. I fall to the floor, a deep ache settling in my chest. Adrian. How would he be putting up with all of these? Does he even care?

No. I can’t think like that.

I'm never going to spend my life with Nikolai. I don't care what deal my father made. My heart beats for only one man. Adrian Calloway.

I rise to my feet, searching the room and my eyes are quick to pick up an antique telephone. Perfect. I dash to it and quickly punch in Adrian's digits which are etched in my memory. He picks up at the second ring.

"Adi," I breathe, tears pricking my eyes. "It's me. Li—"

"Liora," the joy in his voice is palpable. "Where are you? Is Nikolai there?"

"I'm not sure," my eyes dart around the unfamiliar space. "I think I'm in his house. Can you get me out? We'll figure out a plan and get me away from him."

"Yes baby," he replies and my face lights up. "Hold on. I'll see if I can track this number."

"Okay," A sob catches my throat. "I love you Adi. I love you so—"

The sound of the door unlocking pauses me cold. My throat runs dry and I quickly drop the phone back in its place, facing the door. It opens wide and Nikolai steps in, his lips curling into a knowing smile.

"Who were you speaking with?" He asks quietly. His shoe makes a clicking sound as he walks to me, disheveled hair framing his chiseled, handsome face.

"Nobody," I lie, biting my lower lip. He walks towards me, pinning me with his gaze.

"I didn't know this relic still works," his eyes move from mine to the telephone, his fingers wrapping around it. "Calling the lover boy?"

"Stop calling him that," my jaw clenches in irritation. "He's my—"

"Spare me," he interrupts with a scoff but then something shifts in his expression. Amusement, and he chuckles. "You're calling him to come rescue you. From me? Pathetic!"

"Maybe not him," I reply, folding my arms across my chest and meeting his gaze without flinching. "But the police can. You'll be arrested for abduction and—"

Another chuckle escapes his lips. A richer one this time, as though I had just told a bedtime story. I frown. What's so funny?

"You amuse me, Little Bride," he says, leaning perfectly against the wall like he owns both the space and the air I’m breathing. "More reason I'm going to keep you with me."

"Even if my heart belongs to someone else?" My voice wavers, but I push on. "You're keeping me against my will. What do you even want from me? Name your price and my father will pay."

He sighs, a small smile tugging the corner of his lips.

"Aside from your hospital bills," he starts. "I gave Mr. Reynolds a lot of money. Made him the man he is today.”

My world tilts. That can't be true. But the pieces click into place. I remember the sudden wealth after my sickness. The story about an investment finally paying off. He.. he lied. It was all Nikolai. And I was the price. I still am.

Nikolai pulls out a pack of cigarettes from one pocket and a lighter from another. He ignites a stick and sucks air from it, slowly puffing the smoke out.

"Tell me, Little Bride," he speaks, voice casual but filled with something darker. "What do you want?"

My stomach knots. Is this a trick question? A test I can't afford to fail? Or is he going to taunt me again? Still, I respond.

"I want out. I want to be with Adrian Calloway and not you."

"Even after the photo?"

"He didn't cheat," I respond firmly. "I believe it's a misunderstanding."

He smirks. "Interesting."

"How did you get it?" I ask. "The photo."

"How did I know about your marriage and the venue?" He counters, blowing another ribbon of smoke. "I dug deep. You family. Your lover boy. Everything."

I press my lips together. He really did some homework.

"I believe everyone should have a choice," he says with a shrug, as if discussing the weather. "I'll send your father and Calloway this location. When they arrive, I'll give you a chance to choose who you want."

What...? I blink, stunned. Is he being serious now? His tone and facial expression gives nothing away. If anything, I think he means it. But why all of a sudden?

He turns to face me, a faint smile creeping on his face.

"I'll leave now and come fetch you when the arrive," he turns to leave. "Until then, you remain locked in here. I don't want you trying anything.. stupid. Like running away."

He shots the door and it makes a click from the outside. Is he really going to let me go once they arrive? I feel something brewing but I can't seem to place my fingers on it. A shaky sigh escapes my lips. I just have to sit around until they arrive and see what this is all about.

The clock ticks and in exactly, one hour forty three minutes later, the door clicks open with Nikolai standing there, a smug smile on his face.

"They're here, Little Bride."

Stop calling me that. I bite the words back into my mouth. There's no need to speak back. Instead, I need to focus my mind on whatever is going to happen. He leads me through the mansion's corridors until we step into a spacious living room. Dad and Adrian are already seated. On seeing Adrian, I run to him, wrapping my arms around him. He places a kiss on my forehead, squeezing me tight.

Behind us, Nikolai steps in and shuts the door. "Mr Reynolds."

"Umm.. yes?" Dad asks, wary. I pull back from Adrian.

"You might want to explain to Liora," He replies, smiling softly. "And I mean explain everything."

A frown creases my forehead. Dad rises from his seat slowly.

"Let's.. let's speak outside, Li."

I find myself following him. Something is wrong. Something I haven't been told. We shut the door and Dad offers a small smile. I try to return it but my lips feel stiff.

"Has he said anything?" He asks and I shake my head.

"No," I respond. "Only that he's going to let me make my choice when you both arrive. Is there something going on?"

"The contract. At first, it was a loan," Dad explains, his expression solemn. "I was desperate to pay your bills and pay off some debts I owed. So, I staked my life. I told him if I didn't pay back in three years, he could kill me."

He pauses and I freeze.

"But after seeing you lying on the hospital bed, he was smitten," Dad continues. "He told me to forget everything he gave me and give you out to him instead. I promised I woul after you got better. But then.. he vanished. Until today."

A pounding headache hits my head. And suddenly realization dawns on me. What..? No. No, no, no.

I suddenly run back into the room where Nikolai is sitting comfortably while Adrian looks to be on the edge.

"You cunning bastard," I curse, stewing in anger. "I get it now. According to the contract, if my father doesn't pay back what he owes you, you kill him."

Nikolai smirks, levering himself up. Dad rushes in behind me.

"Very good, little bride," he slaps his palm together. My veins turn to ice. "And you.. you're what he owes me. So, if you choose the lover boy over me, Mr Reynolds dies."

My face loses its color immediately. I now understand.

He was never going to give me up.

Nikolai Volkov. The devil in a tailored suit.

A scheming bastard through and through.

"So what will it be, little bride… him or me?"