Furious by Susan A. Bliler Read Free Book Online

realization, Lucia began choking on her sip of wine. 
    “Are you okay?”  Elizabeth questioned with sincere concern.  Lucia’s cheeks were flaming red as the implications of her thoughts set in. 
    Draken quickly stood to gently pat her on the back, “Are you alright?  Do you need a drink of water?” 
    Holding a gloved hand to her mouth, Lucia shook her head and gave a raspy, “No, I’m fine.”  She cleared her throat and stated, “I’m sorry.  I just had a hiccup as I swallowed,” she lied, “but I’m fine.” 
    Draken reclaimed his seat, but kept a hand on her shoulder closest to him.  She met his gaze and he asked, “Are you sure?” 
    Lucia nodded. 
    The remainder of dinner passed quickly.  The main course consisted of roast beef with boiled potatoes and carrots, followed by a crème brule.  Following dessert, the party retired to the library for a nightcap. 
    As the ladies sat on a dark leather sofa in front of the fireplace, Draken and Jace spoke quietly by a window. 
    Sitting on the couch, Elizabeth casually asked, “So, how did you and Draken meet?” 
    Lucia’s mouth opened but nothing came out.  Surely, she couldn’t tell the truth.  The admission that, He’s been holding me hostage for five weeks would make them both sound insane. 
    Searching for the perfect lie, she was relieved when Draken’s voice came from above their heads.  “We met through a mutual acquaintance”, he stated calmly as he walked from behind them to sit in one of the two empty armchairs placed on either side of the couch. 
    As Jace took a seat in the other after refilling his glass of brandy, Draken continued, “This acquaintance introduced us and we’ve been together ever since.” 
    Lucia couldn’t help but smile as Draken spoke the truth knowing it was being misinterpreted. 
    “That’s so romantic,” Elizabeth sighed, “I’ve always believed in love at first sight and here you two are.  Draken did you know you wanted her from the moment you saw her?” 
    Without taking his eyes from Lucia’s, Draken’s smile faded as he repeated affirmatively, “From the moment I saw her.” 
    His gaze and the deception of her newly acquired friend were making Lucia extremely uncomfortable.  Quickly she changed the subject, “Elizabeth, how did you and Jace meet?” 
    That simple question was all the fuel Elizabeth needed to throw herself into a forty-five minute dialogue on her relationship with Jace.  Relieved, Lucia sat only vaguely listening, intently aware that Draken didn’t take his eyes off her for the entire length of Elizabeth’s rant. 
    Finally, Jace announced it was time for them to go and Lucia stood to affectionately hug Elizabeth and bid them farewell.  Lucia was left alone in the library as Draken showed his company out. 
    Lost in her reflection of the lovely evening and the pleasant company, it was moments before she realized she’d been left alone on the main floor.  With Draken gone, she quickly scanned the room for a telephone.  Seeing one sitting on an end table in a corner, Lucia swiftly hobbled to it.  Picking up the receiver, she dialed Warren’s cell. 
    The phone rang once before Warren answered, “Hello?” 
    Before she could respond, the line went dead.  Frantically, Lucia pressed the receiver button and listened. No dial tone.  Looking up, she saw Nikolai holding the end of the phone plug pulled out from the wall jack. 
    With an evil grin, he stepped toward her.  Instinctively, she backed up until she met the wall. 
    “I don’t believe that Draken wants you using the telephone,” Nikolai slurred as he stepped intimately closer to her. 
    Wide eyed, she attempted to brush past Nikolai, but he took a side step to prevent her escape. 
    Fearful, she backed into the corner and stated with a shaky voice, “I’ll take up the matter with Draken.” 
    With the pungent smell of whiskey on Nikolai’s breath and his hands placed on either side of her head