Bound by Love (Russian Connection 2)

She shivered. “I do not trust you.”

“Very wise, but on this occasion I have been commanded to treat you with exquisite care. Always presuming you cooperate.”

“What do you want of me?”

Noticing her instinctive glance toward the house, Josef reached out to grasp her arm and began hauling her toward the open gate.

“I admire your attempt to distract me long enough to be discovered by one of your servants, but I really must insist that you get into the carriage.”

With the gun pressed to her side, Leonida had no choice but to give in to his demands. Even if she could scream for help before the rat could shoot her, she would never put her servants at risk.

They reached the carriage and Leonida had only a glimpse of the large groom, who sat on the driver’s seat, before being shoved into the dark interior. Unfortunately, the glimpse was enough to reveal that the man possessed the hard, detached expression of a seasoned soldier. She would find no mercy from him.

Huddling on the surprisingly clean leather seat, Leonida kept her wary gaze trained on Josef as he sat opposite her, the gun held in his hand but no longer pointed in her direction. Not that she was deceived. One wrong move and he would shoot.

They traveled in silence, the only sound the sharp click of horseshoes against the paved road. Leonida was too terrified at the lingering dread she was about to be delivered to Sir Charles to chatter, and Josef was obviously not the sort to believe in social niceties.

It was at last the realization they were traveling over one of the bridges to the outer islands that shook her out of the strange stupor.

“Do you intend to tell me where we are going?”

“No.”

Her hands clenched, her anger flaring. Was she being taken to a remote spot so no one could hear her scream? Or was it simply more convenient to drop her body in the sea after her throat had been slit?

Neither possibility eased her looming panic.

“It does not really matter.” She forced the words past her stiff lips. “As soon as it is known that I am missing the entire Russian Army will be scouring the city for me. You and your mysterious employer will learn what happens to those who anger the Czar.”

Unexpectedly, Josef smiled. “You do have spirit for a fancy wench.”

She grimaced. “More like stupidity.”

“No, I have seen your courage.” Even through the shadows she could detect the hint of admiration in his eyes. “Not many females would have survived Sir Charles.”

More unnerved than pleased by his words, Leonida cleared the lump from her throat.

“Your flattery will not save you from being executed.”

“You will be returned home long before Alexander Pavlovich can gather his forces.”

“We shall see,” she muttered, far from reassured.

Again a tense silence filled the swaying carriage. Leonida gritted her teeth. It was taking all her effort not to give in to the panic that thundered through her.

She would not lower her pride with futile hysterics.

After what seemed to be an eternity the carriage at last pulled to a smooth halt and Josef shoved open the door to crawl out. Leonida grudgingly followed, her gaze swiftly taking in the three-storied warehouse built of gray stone that was situated along a shabby quay.

At first glance the place appeared abandoned with overgrown weeds and trash piled along the side, but Leonida was not deceived. Even from a distance she could see several large forms outlined behind the numerous windows.

Guards keeping watch.

“What is this place?” she demanded, resisting the urge to struggle as Josef grasped her arm and firmly led her to a side door.

“Follow me.”

As if she had a choice in the matter.