Page 108 of Enthrall Climax
Trying to steel myself against what was to come, I huddled in the backseat of the car and attempted to calm my chaotic thoughts.
We drove for what felt like an hour and though it was useless trying to remember our entire route, I took mental photographs of landmarks like church steeples and quaint stores.
Nausea welled up in me as we swerved along twisty country lanes surrounded by lush green trees and tall hedges on either side that made me feel claustrophobic. Oncoming cars zoomed by way too close.
Finally, to my left, a sweeping field opened up to reveal rows of grapevines stretching all the way to the horizon. The beauty of it wrecked my heart because it reminded me of my father’s vineyard in Napa Valley, the place where he had denied he even knew me.
That experience had left me so wounded that I’d been vulnerable to the men of Chrysalis.
No, don’t do this…
Cameron and Richard were the only ones who truly understood me, who were kind to me. Despite all their kinkiness they were good men. It was fear that was making me question everything.
Cameron had saved me that day at the vineyard, too. He’d whisked me off to some exclusive hotel with Richard and Lotte and they’d all comforted me, trying to help me forget the nightmare of that disastrous reunion.
My chest hurt from the agony of missing Cameron. His reassuring smile always soothed and his strong arms had made me feel safe. His words of comfort had made things better when my day had gone south.
All those worries felt trivial now.
Helete had powerful friends, because I’d landed in a country without facing a customs officer. This didn’t seem possible with the heightened security present at every airport. What if these people were transporting weapons, or drugs, or even women? The thought of human trafficking was too horrifying to ponder.
This kind of favor came from men in power, the kind with access to traffic control towers and private jets. This was the pull of someone in European politics with an interest in a certain lifestyle that meant he had secrets to hide.
Every time a car came toward us I cringed. I’d never get used to driving along such small lanes.
Focusing on what I could control, I memorized our chauffeur. He had a scar on his chin and a boxer’s nose that proved he wasn’t adverse to a fight. His tweed jacket and corduroy trousers making him look like he’d tried to dress up for the day. He’d wanted to impress the Russian lady.
On a hilltop in the distance rose an intimidating white manor with cathedral spires peeking over a wall. It seemed like we were heading toward it.
I thought of how isolated the place was, and shivered.
Sizable trees arched over a long road and ended at a wide wooden gate that swung open to let us pass through. The car idled outside the front door of the enormous manor. Ivy crawled up the exterior and across the arched windows.
My door was flung open.
“Out,” ordered a rugged-looking man.
Galina wrapped her hand around my arm and led me toward the house.
“Do what they say. Understand?”
“I’m not staying.” I eyed the men behind us.
“Listen,” she snapped. “Tell Cameron I had no choice.”
“Fuck off.” I tried to pull away and she dug her fingernails into my arm.
“You can’t say no to people like this.”
My forearms prickled and my chest tightened as I tried to breathe through a haze of denial. I knew how to find this woman again. It would be through Helete. I only hoped Cameron had figured out what had happened to me by now. I hoped he would be able to find me here.
“Don’t mention Cameron’s name.” She gave me a thin smile.
“Why?”
“That’s me being kind, Mia.”
“Kind?” I repeated bitterly.
