Page 55 of Captive Vows
Silence was our soundtrack.
The rumble of the engine felt as throaty as ever, but it was a comforting purr because it meant this expensive vehicle was speeding us further away from the danger.
Danger.
Life-or-death danger.
Trying to catch my breath and not wheeze from the adrenaline rush, I curled my fingers in the front of Luka’s jacket.
Life.
I’m alive.
It’s okay.
It was only okay that a group of thugs burst into my private audition with guns blaring because of this strong, powerful man keeping me in his embrace.
Luka. My God, Luka. Thank you.
I struggled to swallow, wishing my heightened senses could fade and I could relax long enough to think. To be coherent for more than a second. Too jumbled up and racing along this ride of a trauma reaction, I couldn’t slow my thoughts. I couldn’t force my heart to take it down a notch. Air just couldn’t fill my lungs fast enough.
“Gabriella.” Luka shifted only to put his gun away. He kept me in his arms, practically draped over his lap as we sped away.
I had no reply. I could only snuggle in closer, tucking my face against his shirt so I could inhale deep pulls of his scent.Authority and testosterone. They didn’t make sense together, but it was justhim. I was familiar with how he smelled. I was getting more used to his hot, callused hands on me. And I was tuned in to the sound of his husky timbre, always full of command.
“Gabriella.” He repeated it as he reached to get his buzzing phone out of his jacket pocket. As he moved, he tipped my chin up. “Are you hurt?”
I shook my head, too off-kilter to speak yet. Besides, he was directed to his phone.
Seeming content with the gesture that I wasn’t harmed—all thanks to him and his brave men—he urged me to lean against him for the rest of the ride while he spoke to his men. Ivan. Allen. Others I forgot the names of. Emil, too. I wasn’t listening in. He didn’t say much, either, more like he was being reported in to.
All I focused on was him holding me close. Anchoring me. Grounding me. Securing me until we reached his fortress of a residence. The tall walls didn’t seem foreboding and looming too tall. The guards at the entrance didn’t look threatening. The thick material of this massive mansion in the city only gave me the impression of safety, of security, and my heart beat steadier with the fact that I was here again. That I would be sheltered and safe within these walls once more.
But nothing calmed me as much as Luka’s touch did.
Without my having to say anything, he seemed to understand. The door was opened for us in the garage, and he got out first, only to extend his hand to me and help me out. Then as we entered the building, he clutched my hand in his big one, not releasing me one bit.
Inside, he nodded at Allen who rambled a summary of whatever must have been pertinent for Luka to know now.Towing me with him and keeping me at his side, Luka seemed on the go, not ready to slow or stop for anyone.
Sticking with me, he led me straight up to his private wing.
I was still in my dance apparel, my tights, shoes, and leotard. My hair was still up in a tight, unforgiving bun. Makeup still coated my skin. Sweat, not from the dance but from the fear, slicked my flesh.
Throughout it all, this escape from the theater didn’t truly register with me. I was there. And now I was here.
My audition was done—prematurely. Yet, I couldn’t summon the stubbornness to care right now.
All I could feel and experience was the soulful gratitude that Luka saved me.
He’dkilledto save me.
Questions would haunt me. I didn’t know why that had happened if it was guarded and secure. I wasn’t sure why I’d be targeted, what those men wanted to accomplish, who they were and who they worked for.
Nothing made sense.
Only being here with Luka did.
“Are you all right?” he asked, checking again as he loosened his tie with one hand. With his other, he steered me into my room, almost as if he counted on my getting in the shower.
