Page 40 of My Highland Fling
Her mother’s last words stuck with her.Obviously, Gabrielle had inherited her mother’s grit.Play by her husband’s rules, and when he relaxed, thinking her broken, she’d carve out his guts with a knife.She would survive this nightmare.
She hadn’t acquired a knife yet, but she would.
Adrik insisted on a healthy diet, so healthy she’d lose weight since her diet comprised fruit and vegetables, lean meats, and a host of vitamin tablets to prepare her body for pregnancy.She followed each crisp edict to the letter.One day, her guards would grow lax, giving her a chance to save herself.
What happened next was a mystery, but first things first.A weapon, then she’d fashion the rest of an escape plan.
Adrik stirred, and every muscle in her body stiffened.Please, no.Her heart beat faster and pounded in her ears so loudly, she wondered if he might hear.She kept her eyes closed when a soft knock came at the door.Adrik muttered under his breath and rose, uncaring about his nakedness.For his age, his body was fit, and he was prideful of this fact.
A murmur floated to her, and Adrik spoke a curt reply before shutting the door with a sharp click.He spat a word in Russian.Gabrielle waited anxiously, her heart still pounding.Goose bumps formed on her arms and legs.Please, no.Please leave.
The rustle of clothing hastily donned, and footsteps then the firm click of the door told her he’d gone, but she counted to five hundred before daring to roll to her back.A groan escaped, but she stifled the next.Adrik hated her for displaying discomfort.The weakness poked at his temper.
Slowly, so slowly, she rose from the bed, sweat forming on her skin.Blood filled her mouth.A lip torn from biting.In the shower, she let hot water flow over her bruised backside and aching back.She kept her opinions to herself and faked enjoyment.She ate the food servants gave her.At least she wasn’t repeating mistakes.Today, she’d plan the dinner party Adrik had asked her to arrange for several business partners arriving tomorrow.
Yes, she was learning how to be the model wife.
Until the day an opportunity arose when she’d use every weapon at her disposal and take her revenge on her sadistic husband.
She’d do this with a smile.
Chapter 20
To The Rescue
“Mycontactsaysthey’reholding a business meeting at the estate,” Isabella said.“That might be our way inside.”
“How?”Saber asked.
“We’ll intercept one guest before they arrive, and I’ll enter in their place,” Isabella said.“That’s not something they’ll expect.”
“Popov will have protection, and his guests will bring their security,” Felix said.
“Ah, but my contact is a guest,” Isabella said with triumph.“He told me each visitor may bring two guards and no more.”
“You couldn’t have led with that?”Saber asked, his tone plaintive.
Isabella grinned.“Now, where is the fun in that?”
“All right,” Saber said once they stopped cackling.“Would he let two of us go as his guards?We’ll intercept another visitor, and Isabella can do her thing.She could take in another two of us as guards.Ramsay, you’d have to stay in the background because your girl will recognize you.Not your preference, I know, but that’s our best ploy.If we get a chance, we’ll let the rest know what’s happening.If gunfire starts, come running.Tilly, we’ll want you to stay with the plane and do first aid once we recover Gabrielle.”
“I can do that,” Tilly said.“What about weapons?”
“We won’t be able to take firearms,” Saber said.
“Yes, they’ll get searched on arrival,” Isabella confirmed.“We need to use fists.Teeth and claws.”
Everyone apart from Tilly understood.She pursed her lips but didn’t ask further questions.
“When will we know if your friend will cooperate?”Saber asked.
“I’ll call him once we land.I think he’ll be fine.He dislikes Popov.My assumption is that’s why he’s helping us.”
Henry shrugged.“As long as we get the job done.”
The closer they got to the private airfield, the more nerves jittered in Ramsay’s belly.The others ate, but he couldn’t.His mind stuck on Gabrielle in the clutches of this monster.He’d stopped reading the information Isabella had amassed because it sickened him.Isabella had discovered proof of the rumors, and that Gabrielle was suffering through this made Ramsay want to strike out.Although he couldn’t have done anything more, it didn’t lessen his guilt at failing his mate.
“Everyone try to grab sleep,” Saber said.“We’ll fine-tune our plan when we’re half an hour out.”
