The Bastard's Betrayal (Scandalous Scions 1)

Rose settled in as best she could and focused on breathing slowly to calm her racing thoughts. Except, apparently, she calmed herself too much because the next thing she knew, she was jolted awake by the car stopping.

She blinked into the darkness, but there wasn’t any indication of how long she’d been out or where they were now. It would be ideal to be able to spring into motion the moment Dante opened the trunk, but her legs were cramped, and she was pretty sure her back would never be the same again. She’d be lucky if she could walk immediately after standing, let alone fight her way free and run.

Damn it.

She barely had time to tense when the trunk clicked and light streamed in. Dante lifted her out without a word and tossed her over his shoulder. Apparently she wouldn’t even be pretending to fight. She hung there like a sack of potatoes as pins and needles shot through her legs. Ow. Rose bit her bottom lip to keep from making a sound and tried to take in her surroundings.

She’d hoped he’d find somewhere to hole up with her. A penthouse would be ideal, but even a remote cabin would be better than all this asphalt and the distant roar of engines. The second she placed her location, she went cold.

No.

An airport. Specifically, a private hangar without a single person around.

Dante took the short stairway up to the door into the private plane and ducked down just enough to prevent her back from dragging along the top of the entrance. Inside wasn’t overly spacious, but it was plush and extravagant. The Romanovs didn’t have a private plane; they simply chartered one on the rare occasions they needed to travel. Was this owned by the Verduccis, or was it chartered? The former wouldn’t help her, but she might be able to work with the latter.

Dante dropped her onto one of the chairs and casually grasped her throat, pinning her to the back of it. He wasn’t choking her, but the threat was there all the same. He leaned down until their faces were even, his dark eyes cold. “You have a choice, Rosa.”

Hearing her name in Italian on his tongue made her stomach do strange things. She dragged in a breath, trying to focus. What was her best play right now? If she gave in too easily, he’d suspect something was going on, but if she fought him, she risked him tying her up and gagging her for the entire trip to…wherever they were headed. She couldn’t offer the pilot double what they were making with the Verduccis to turn the plane around if she were bound and gagged.

She finally settled for neutral. “I’m listening.”

He studied her expression for a long moment. She still couldn’t get over how different this man was from the one she dated. He was so cold, she honestly expected frostbite from where his palm met the sensitive skin of her throat. As if sensing her thoughts, he gave her throat a squeeze. A clear warning. “You can play nice and enjoy a comfortable plane ride.”

“Or?”

His lips curved the barest amount. “Or I will take you into the back room and tie you to the bed there.”

Fury flared, so strong, she had to close her eyes to keep it contained. “It’s beneath you to threaten that.”

“Threaten what, Rosa? Keeping my woman from harming herself?” Another squeeze. “Or from attempting to bribe the pilot to turn the plane around?”

She opened her eyes before she could control herself. “What?”

“Give me a little credit. You might have played the clueless co-ed, but you’re not a fool.” He chuckled, the sound dry and mirthless. “Choose.”

“I’m twenty-seven. Hardly a co-ed.”

“Choose,” he repeated.

Ultimately, she wasn’t doing anything that would make him decide he was justified in tying her to a bed. “I’ll be a good little captive.”

“Smart girl.” He released her and straightened. “Don’t move.” He turned and walked to the door at the front of the plane. It opened just enough for her to catch sight of a thin Black man at the controls, but they spoke too softly for her to pick up the words.

She carefully massaged her legs, easing the last of the pins-and-needles feeling. The door was still… Except no, it wasn’t still open. Even as she watched, it made an automated sound and eased closed. She was well and truly trapped.

Fuck.

She looked around the plane slowly, keeping one eye on Dante. It was posh and generic, and there wasn’t a single thing that didn’t seem to be bolted down. There certainly wasn’t a conveniently placed phone for her to call out with. Even if she’d been able to, she didn’t know where they were going or what waited for her there. Attacking Dante once they were in the air wasn’t a great plan even if she succeeded in taking him out; she didn’t know what kind of situation they’d be landing in. If he was taking her to LA, then showing up with his head bashed in was a good way to get herself shot.