Of course it had to be the one on the third floor of a building so far from the main campus that I’d have to wake up a half hour early just to walk to classes on time.
I shuffled past her into the room, surprised at how spacious it was for a dorm room.
“Don’t I have a roommate?” I turned back to David and my mom after noting only one large bed in the room and a flat screen TV already mounted to the wall. A microwave and mini fridge sat on a small counter, completing the look. The bed already had a fluffy, purple comforter and pillows on it. It couldn’t be dorm room standard.
“I paid for you to room alone, Bianca.” David fixed me with a dark stare. “You’re an engaged woman. You need privacy for you and your fiancé.”
I snorted and quickly looked away, not wanting him to think he’d done me any favors.
“I also had this bed sent in and done up for you.” He was far too close to me, his arm winding around my waist and squeezing me to him. His warm breath blew against my skin with his next words. “You also have a private bathroom. Only the very best will do for you.”
/> I shimmied away from him and went to Mom, who was staring into a small walk-in closet.
“Your uniforms are already here.” She nodded at all the crisp, white shirts and navy plaid skirts.
I let out a groan at how cliché it all seemed.
“Bianca.” She gave me a warning look as I flopped onto the large, soft bed. OK. So the bed was awesome. I’d never admit it to David, of course, because he’d let it go to his head and probably offer to try it out with me. I gagged a little at the thought.
“I have everything I need. You guys can go.” I sat up and stared pointedly at Mom.
She glanced at David before offering me a shaky smile. “Bianca, there’s no need to be rude—”
“Dana, why don’t you step outside and give me a moment alone with Bianca.”
I widened my eyes at Mom whose shaky smile tilted into an earthquake.
There. I knew she wasn’t as dumb as she acted.
“It’s fine. Really. Mom can stay—”
“Dana. Out.” David’s eyes darkened as Mom cast a quick look at me before giving David a curt nod.
“I’ll see you soon,” she murmured, her voice trembling as she gave me a quick squeeze. “Be good. Listen to David.”
“Mom, wait.” I moved to pull her into me so she wouldn’t be able to leave, but she untangled herself and ran her hands down her expensive beige pant suit, offering me another of her fake smiles.
“I’ll see you soon” And with that, she spun on her heel and left me with David, the door clicking closed behind her.
“I’ll be brief, my darling daughter.” he said in a gruff voice, his eyes narrowed at me. “Bolten is a place of prestige. You’ll find your kind and stick with them. Mikhail will guide you. You need people with connections—”
“No, you need people with connections. I only need to survive.” I got to my feet and folded my arms over my chest as we stared one another down. “I’m not marrying Hail. You’ll have to kill me and drag me down the aisle.”
“Trust me. You will marry him. And you won’t last a minute here without friends,” he shot back, his gaze sweeping over me in a way that made my skin crawl. “Besides, if you upset Mikhail, it might just end in your death. The Ivanovs won’t be humiliated, nor will I.”
“Then I eagerly await my end.”
I flinched as he leaned in and brushed his knuckles across my cheek.
“Don’t say such horrid things. You don’t even know what awaits you if you fuck this up. I’m a very powerful man, and I won’t hesitate to bury you with the rest of the trash.”
I swallowed thickly and dared to stare into his dark eyes. “What do you want, David?”
A soft chuckle escaped his lips. “What’s owed to me. Trust me. You’ll be paying up.” And with that, he took a step away from me. “You turn eighteen in a few days. That doesn’t mean you’re free. It means exactly the opposite. Do as you’re told if you want to survive. If you want your mom to survive. I’d hate to see her hurt over your antics. I’ll start with her first.”
“If you hurt my mom—”
“You’ll what?” David cocked his head at me, a twisted smile on his lips.