Forbidden Fantasies

Quite the imagination(1)

KIRA

I have always known seeking refuge by Rhys’s side is a double-edged sword.

[Hand over the Petrov princess or die]

Grisha is out of his mind. I already knew that when he bit the hand that fed him by turning against Father, but it’s still terrifying what lengths he would go to get rid of a competitor. I don’t want anything to do with the Petrov family, much less become its head. But even if I tell him that, he will never believe me. That man will only rest when I’m six feet underground.

Everyone knows about the m******e that befell the Petrov family two years ago, but they all think there’s no survivor. I was barely able to make it out with Father, and Kristof ensured no one caught a whiff of it.

Of course, there was no hiding the truth from Grisha for too long. He has followed me ever since he discovered that I’m alive. After his threat, Rhys will look into the matter as well.

I should run.

Isn’t that what I’ve always done? My backpack has everything I need; a fake ID and passport, enough money for a plane ticket, some clothes, and wigs in case I need to disguise myself.

If I tell the taxi driver to take me to my apartment instead of the location I gave him, I’ll be there in only twenty minutes. Rhys lives much farther from the company than I do. By the time he notices I didn’t go to his house, my flight will have already taken off—it should be easy to get one that leaves within a half hour if I don’t care where it takes me. I just want to be away from Rhys and whatever repercussions I will face when he discovers who I really am.

I imagine all of it playing out; me rushing to the airport, booking the flight ticket, waiting anxiously until it’s time to board, and, finally, entering the plane. It’s all a good idea. Except, as the hypothetical plane starts to speed down the runway, I regret my decision.

Rhys told me to let him know if anything happened, forbidding me from running off without saying a word. What if he is angered by my escape? I will have not one but two vengeful men after my life.

"Ma’am, is everything alright?" The driver asks.

I didn’t realize I was sitting on edge. I recline, blowing out a breath. "Yes."

I should plan my departure more meticulously. It would be more fatal to make an enemy out of Rhys than Grisha. While the latter has the time to threaten and taunt me, Rhys would chop my head off and forget I ever existed.

My mind is foggy as the cab approaches Rhys’s residence. It’s an opulent modern mansion on the outskirts, surrounded by trees so tall that they nearly cover up the perimeter wall. When the driver sees it, he turns to me briefly to confirm, "Is this where we are going?"

"Yes." I hope.

This place is extravagant even for the CEO of a real estate conglomerate. No matter how many late nights he spends at the office, I know Phoenix Industries isn’t where Rhys gets most of his money. He is affiliated with several mafia syndicates, especially the Gallos.

I’m reminded what a dangerous idea it was to hide by his side. It’s a double-edged sword, and I don’t know which side is going to end up killing me; Grisha or the Gallos. If I had a choice, I would rather die by anyone else’s gun. That traitor will never have the satisfaction of wiping out what is left of the Petrov family.

The taxi is stopped at the gates, and a guard the size of a mountain asks what we want. The driver darts his head toward me, breaking into a cold sweat. If I wasn’t used to the sight of intimidating guards, I would be shitting a brick as well.

"Mr. Redmond sent me here." I hand over the paper where he scribbled the address. When the guard lets us through, I know Rhys must have called and notified him beforehand. I wonder how long it would have taken him to catch me if I decided to use the chance to flee. Would I make it to the plane before the airport flooded with humongous men ready to capture me?

The main house stands miles from the gates. As soon as I get out of the car, the poor driver speeds off like a bat out of hell.

Meanwhile, I can’t help admiring the exterior, even if several guards are looming over me. I know they are not just regular guards. They are bloodthirsty mafia soldiers, bloodthirsty men who kill without flinching. If I make the slightest mistake, I’ll have to apologize from the afterlife.

"Where is Mr. Redmond’s study?" I ask the bald, tattooed soldier stationed at the door.

"Second floor, first room on your left," he points at the staircase.

Strange. I would have expected them to follow my every move, making sure I do nothing but exactly what Rhys ordered. In fact, shouldn’t they get the file for me and send me on my way before I so much as set foot in the living room?

I pass a brown-haired, insanely tall man on the staircase. He is wearing pajamas and looks less terrifying than the other soldiers, but I know not to let his looks deceive me. This man appears to be comfortable here, which must mean he is closest to Rhys. That makes him the most dangerous. I offer a quick wave and disappear up the stairs.

Rhys’s study is almost identical to his office at the company. A large dark desk stands at the center of the room, with a high leather chair behind it. There’s a guest chair, a couch that looks like it costs more than my yearly salary, a few simple art pieces on the walls, and a bookshelf.

Just like his office at Phoenix Industries, everything looks perfect and untouched. If it weren’t for his scent lingering in the air, I would think he had never set foot in here. Some people like to decorate their desks with calendars or pictures of their loved ones, but there is none of that in his office. It’s almost as if he doesn’t want anyone to know he lives here.

I wonder if his bedroom looks the same.

While I would love to snoop and find out, I don’t want to bump into any of those soldiers, especially the pajama-clad one. So I quickly find the blue file, ensure there isn’t any other that looks the same, and dash out.

"Wait." The pajama guy says before I can make it far from the main house.

I turn, trying my best to hide my fear. What now?

"I will drive you back to the office. Rhys's orders." He nods toward the black car parked in front of the mansion.

"That's okay. I will get a cab." I wave my hand, not wanting to be stuck in the same car as this person for even half a second. Ignoring my words, he enters the car, waiting for me to do the same.

If Rhys wanted me dead, I wouldn’t still be here, I tell myself, clutching the file to my chest.

I make it through the drive without passing out, even if Pajama Guy spooks the heck out of me by merely breathing. As soon as the car stops, I reach for the door, only for him to turn and shoot me a glare.

"Piece of advice," he says with fake gentleness. "Keep your secrets well guarded. As soon as I discover them, I’ll kill you."