Destination Wedding Read Free Page A

never been strong. This man would break her spirit, and then her health would go downhill. But could he even get Eden? Dad probably had her locked up at the estate. Still, if there was a chance of Eden’s getting kidnapped, Camille had to protect her.
    When she gave a little nod of acquiescence, he continued in a satisfied voice. “I’m glad you’re being pragmatic. And of course, I’ve thought of your every need. The closet is full of clothes that are perfect for you. And you’ll love the facilities here. It’s like your father’s estate, but on a far more luxurious level. You’ll love the pools, the gardens, the food. Our chefs are excellent. You can have the best of any cuisine you like, although I hope you’ll want to try some of my Russian favorites like black caviar and chicken Kiev.” He paused and gave her a considering look. “And as for the intimate aspects of marriage, you’ll find I am an excellent lover. I’m looking forward to teaching you some pleasures you might not have encountered before.”
    The words and their wealth of meaning struck her like a dagger in the chest, and she fought not to scream that he was the last man on earth she’d want to make love with.
    Maybe her expression warned him that he was going too fast. “I’ll give you some privacy now. You can get dressed—or if you’d like to make love with me before the wedding, you can stay in bed. Either way, I’ll be back in forty-five minutes.”
    When the door closed behind him, she was alone again—and struggling not to scream.
    She could feel tears stinging the backs of her eyes, and she took a moment to will them away. She would not cry. Crying would do her no good.
    She had to stay focused—on escape. Maybe she couldn’t do it before the wedding. And, oh Lord, maybe not even before the wedding night. Would she have to let him rape her? Because that’s what it would be. Her whole body clenched as she imagined Victor Zanov’s hands on her breasts, his mouth covering hers.
    He wasn’t a bad looking man. He was smart—or perhaps cunning was a better word. She knew he’d taken advantage of the chaos in Russia after the breakup of the Soviet Union to make millions. Now he obviously kept himself fit, and his features would have been pleasing if they hadn’t concealed what she knew was a ruthless determination. In the safety of her home, she hadn’t understood the depths of that determination.
    She tried to dredge up what else she knew about him. It wasn’t a lot because she hadn’t really been interested in him. Dad had met him at an international energy conference, and they had been friendly in the way of men who had business interests in common. Zanov had access to sources of oil that her father wanted to use in some of his European manufacturing plants. They’d struck a deal for the oil, but Zanov had pressed for a personal relationship.
    When he’d broached the subject of marrying Camille, he’d probably expected her father to let his new friend have the daughter. After all, hadn’t Victor made an honorable proposal? But Dad was not the kind of parent who would force his daughter into a loveless marriage for business considerations.
    She glanced toward the door, remembering her captor’s words of warning before departing.
    Throwing back the covers, she swung her legs over the side of the bed. But the knockout drug was still having an effect, and a wave of dizziness struck her as her bare feet hit the tile floor. If she hadn’t braced her hands against the bed, she would have fallen over. When she was feeling steadier, she crossed to the door and tried the knob. It was locked from the outside.
    Turning she hurried to the window and pulled the drapes aside. The expanse of glass was large, but the panes were covered with bars.
    Next she stepped into the bathroom. It also had a window, that opened into a walled courtyard completely surrounded by the house. To get out that way she’d have to somehow get up to the