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I turn before he can say anything else and walk toward the restroom.

When I’m done, I wash my hands, then lift my gaze to the mirror.

My cheeks are still flushed, eyes slightly glassy, lips parted. God.

I know exactly what he was doing back there. Punishing me. Teasing me because I refused to tell him how I feel.

If only he knew… If he knew I’m already head over heels in love with him. I’m going to tell him. When we get home, I’m going to say the words. I just wanted to mess with him.

I open my handbag and carefully touch up my lipstick.

I can’t wait for us to get back home. He can finish what he started. I don’t care how badly I wanted to eat at this restaurant. Right now, all I want is to go home so my husband can fuck me, and so I can finally tell him how much I love him.

Just as I cap the lipstick and slide it back into my purse, I hear the restroom door open behind me.

Something prickles at the back of my neck. The tiny hairs there stand on end. A sudden unease curls in my gut. I turn quickly, frowning, not sure why my body is reacting this way—

And then I see him. A huge, dangerous-looking man dressed in black steps inside, his presence filling the room. He looks straight at me and sneers.

“Hello, Rosie.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Rosie

I have no idea who this man is.

But whoever he is, every instinct in my body screams that he isn’t here for anything good.

He looks me up and down slowly, a sneer curling his lips. “You’re even more beautiful in person.”

I take several steps back until my backside hits the cold marble countertop behind me.

I look to the stall I just came out of, I can try to make a run for it and lock the door. But with the gun he’s currently waving at me, I doubt if I’ll make it inside before he shoots me with it.

“Who are you?” I try to keep my voice steady. “What do you want?”

He takes another step closer, like a predator closing in on prey. “Who I am isn’t important. I’m here to take you with me.”

“Take me?” I stammer. “Why?”

My eyes flick toward the door. If I can stall him long enough, maybe someone will walk in. Maybe Andrei will realize I’ve been gone too long and come looking for me.

The man follows my gaze and lets out a low, humorless chuckle.

“No one is coming to help you,” he says, stepping even closer. “I suggest you don’t shout. I don’t want to do this the hard way… but if that’s what you want, then—”

His hand shoots out and clamps around my arm. “Come on,” he snaps. “We don’t have much time.”

I twist and struggle, trying to pull free, but his grip is iron. “Let go of me!”

His hand flashes out and his backhand comes so fast I barely see it. Pain explodes across my face, white-hot and blinding. For a second, everything spins. Stars burst behind my eyes, and a sharp ringing fills my ears.

He starts dragging me toward the door.

“You won’t get away with this,” I gasp, fighting to keep my feet under me. “My husband is going to find you, and he’s going to kill you.”

“That’s if he finds us,” he says. “And if my boss hasn’t killed your husband by then.”