Page 37 of My Highland Fling
“Yes.”Gabrielle didn’t smile.She concentrated fiercely on not crying, but she was sobbing inside.Ramsay.She ached for him, and it was useless because she’d never see him again.
“We will leave now,” her mother said.“You have the traditional items?”
“Yes.”Not that it mattered a whit to her.Given this man’s reputation and age, Gabrielle couldn’t see happiness in her future.
But there was no escape.
She followed her mother from her bedroom, and the guards outside her door stood to attention.Her mother swept past and clicked her fingers at Gabrielle.
Gabrielle halted in the doorway, panic pelting her mind.A tremor swept the length of her body.“Mother, I don’t want this.”
“Too bad.You will wed Adrik Popov and pretend ecstatic happiness.My life and your father’s depend on this marriage.”
“I’m responsible for your safety,” Gabrielle said, not bothering to hide her bitterness.“What about my wellbeing?My wants?”
Her mother narrowed her eyes, her lip curling in harsh severity.Not a shred of sympathy or compassion or caring crossed her face.“We’re your parents.You owe us your loyalty.”
“I don’t want this marriage.If you force me to marry him, I will never speak to you again.”
Her mother sniffed.“I doubt Adrik will grant permission for you to leave his property, so that won’t be an issue for your father or I.I’ll give you some advice I wish my parents had given me before my marriage.Don’t fight your husband.Let him do whatever he wants with your body.Let him think you enjoy every moment, and once you’re pregnant and deliver a healthy child, you’ll become more valuable.Gain power.If you fight Adrik or give him lip, he will kill you as he has his other wives.”
Gabrielle studied her mother’s exquisitely made-up face, listened to her words, and felt nothing but pity.A squeezing sensation around her chest stole her ability to breathe, and she gasped for air.Her mother might think this helpful advice, but she gave away a truth that made Gabrielle uncomfortable.
The bothersome lump in her throat stopped her from commenting, but thoughts dashed through her mind.Her mother had suffered abuse and was now broken and caught in a vicious cycle.All this time, she’d cast herself as a victim and hated her parents for their decisions and power over her.
A single tear rolled down Gabrielle’s cheek as the truth pierced her confidence.She and her mother were both casualties with no chance of escape.
Chapter 18
A Plan
Ramsaywaitedforhisfriends at a private airfield in Edinburgh.He wasn’t sure of the plan, but he had confidence in Saber and Felix.He’d spent the days after Gabrielle’s disappearance with Tilly and her friend, and they’d researched Adrik Popov and his southern Russia mansion.Nothing Ramsay learned had reassured him.The rumors regarding his past wives reeked like two-day-old fish.An obvious conclusion was the man had rid himself of the women when they’d failed to produce the requisite child.
The plane landed and taxied toward the hangar.
“Try not to worry,” Tilly said, patting Ramsay’s hand.“Gabrielle is brave and intelligent.She isn’t like her parents or brothers.”
Ramsay attempted to smile at the older woman, but he couldn’t, not when his gut churned with fear for his mate.He’d tried to talk Tilly out of coming with him, but she’d insisted and he’d found himself no match for her determination.
Tilly clasped his hand and squeezed.He wondered if this was what it was like to have a grandparent—someone who cared and supported and saw you at your worst but loved you, anyway.
The door to the plane opened, and Saber strode down the stairs, followed by Isabella, Leo, Henry, Gerard, and Felix.
Ramsay stared, and when his vision turned blurry, he blinked.They’d come to help him without even knowing Gabrielle.A shudder of fear for his mate almost took him out at the knees.Tilly had discovered through palace friends that Gabrielle’s parents had forced her to marry Adrik Popov.Four days ago, her new husband had taken her to his homeland.Four days to terrorize his mate.Another tremor sped down Ramsay’s back because he hated to think of Gabrielle in that man’s home.His bed.
A growl escaped him, and he forced his thoughts away.Calm.Use your brain.None of thisisGabrielle’s fault.He and the others would find and free her.What she did next was up to her, but he hoped Gabrielle would travel with him to New Zealand.Together, they’d start a new life, but he wouldn’t force her.The decision was hers.
“There, there,” Tilly murmured.“We’ll get Gabrielle back.”
Ramsay nodded, not trusting himself to speak.He strode across the tarmac to greet Saber and the others.
“Thanks for coming.”Ramsay thrust out his hand.
Saber ignored the gesture to pull Ramsay into a tight hug.
“Is there a place to have coffee?”Isabella asked in her crisp voice.
Ramsay stared at Isabella, who usually worked in the café with him.During working hours, she wore shorts, or jeans when the weather grew cooler, and a Storm in a Teacup tee.But now, she wore unrelieved black, and her attitude reminded him of an assassin.
