He veered abruptly off the highway to a side road, heading toward the distant mountains. The road was rough and bumpy beneath the wide tires of the race car as they flew through the forest. As the rain soon changed to sleet, she stared out the window in a panic as the Ferrari went faster and faster, sliding on the icy, rocky road still covered with scattered snow.
Xerxes, she thought, closing her eyes. Please come for me.
Then she remembered the promise she’d forced on him and nearly wept. Perhaps he’d have immediately forgotten Rose from the instant he had his sick half sister back in his arms, desperately needing his care. But the promise Rose had forced him to give her had been the nail in the coffin. Xerxes now couldn’t come save her, even if he’d wanted to. She’d made sure of that. And now it would destroy her.
You were right, she whispered silently. The one time Rose had been hurt enough to try for revenge, it had caused her more pain than she’d ever imagined possible.#p#分页标题#e#
Turning to face Lars, she choked out, “Where are you taking me?”
“A private cabin where we can be alone. For days. Weeks, if necessary.” Lars gave her a sensual smile that made her shudder as he purred, “I’ll make you remember your love for me. I’ll enjoy your silky body. And when I’ve cleansed you of that Greek bastard’s memory, you will give me everything and marry me.”
Chapter Fifteen
“WE’RE still running tests, Mr. Novros, but we’re optimistic.”
Xerxes sagged in relief against the white concrete wall of the medical clinic. “Thank God.”
“We’ll keep you updated.” The doctor looked at him with concern. “But you should get some rest. Before we have to check you in here as well.”
“I’m fine.”
The doctor clapped him on the shoulder encouragingly. “Don’t worry. She’s young and strong. Her chances are excellent for a full recovery.”
After he’d left, Xerxes closed his eyes, feeling the fresh drizzle of rain on his face. His sister was safe. Laetitia was now receiving the best medical care possible. For the first time in a year, he did not have that driving fear inside him, the fear that he might fail her, the fear that she might die after he’d promised to always look out for her.
He should have been overcome with relief and joy. And yet he found himself still hunched over with grief. He looked up to see a blond woman coming out of the mist in the parking lot.
“Rose,” he whispered, his heart in his throat. Had she read the letter? Had she changed her mind?
Then he saw the blonde embrace another man, a male nurse who’d just come out of the clinic. Looking at her more closely, Xerxes realized the woman looked nothing like Rose. His vision was playing tricks on him.
She’d told him she loved him. And for his answer, he’d traded her. He’d given her into Växborg’s hands.
Had she read the letter yet? Would she keep her promise?
His hands clenched into fists as he rubbed his stinging eyes. All he wanted was to have Rose in his arms, to share his joy about his half sister’s prognosis. For Christ’s sake, to even tell her that Laetitia was his sister!
Instead, he’d made a promise he never wanted to keep. He was powerless to pursue her. And now he was a prisoner of his own word.
Maybe it was for the best, he told himself wearily. God knew Rose deserved better than a man like him. She deserved a husband with an open, loving heart, an equal partner who would share everything with her—not a closed-off, vengeful man with a scarred heart like Xerxes.
But I can change, his heart cried. I already have changed, because of her.
All he wanted was for her to be happy. And the last time he’d seen her, her face had been so wan and pale, her eyes so sad, as she’d driven past him in the Ferrari with Växborg at her side. The baron, on the other hand, had looked smug and satisfied.
And something more.
Xerxes blinked. What had been in the man’s eyes? He’d been too distracted by worry and grief to pay much attention to Växborg at the time, but now there’d been something in the man’s expression. He’d dismissed Växborg as a weakling. But even a weakling could be vicious when cornered.
Trying to tell himself he had nothing to worry about, Xerxes reached for his cell phone. His hands shook as he dialed the number of her parents’ house an hour to the south.
But when Vera answered on the third ring, she sounded bewildered at his questions. “Rose? No, we haven’t seen her. No, she hasn’t called. Why? What’s wrong? We thought she was with you!”#p#分页标题#e#