Read Sergei's Stubborn Captive (The Captive Series Book 3) for Free Online Page A

growled. Sergei got up and walked into the house without looking back at her.
    “Okay,” Lana whispered as she watched him walk away.
    ~~~~~~
    The next morning they had breakfast together. Their conversation was short but very personal.
    As much as Lana wanted to build a barrier, she couldn’t help but want to know more about him. “How is it that you and Nikolai became so close?”
    “My mother didn’t work when I was little, and my father took care of all the bills. I didn’t know what he did until I was older, but he happened to work for Vladimir Rykov, Nikolai’s father. It wasn’t until he died in a car accident that I met Nikolai. My mother came to Mr. Rykov for a job as a maid and he brought us into the house. We played together and that started our bond.”
    “So, you grew up for all intents and purposes as brothers?” Lana asked, curious about the closeness of their relationship.
    Sergei smiled, which caught Lana by surprise, making her smile back at him as he responded, “Yes. We were thick as thieves, so when his father sent Nikolai away for schooling, he asked me to come along.”
    “Do you still see your mother?” she asked.
    Sergei took a deep breath, looked down at his breakfast for an instant before lifting his head, pain written on his face. “No. She died of cancer when I was in my senior year.”
    Lana was hit with embarrassment and sympathy. “I’m sorry,” she muttered. Kicking herself was looking like a good idea at the moment. She had known his mother was dead from his file.
    “Don’t be. It was a long time ago and the Rykovs helped me through it.” Sergei tried to play it off, but it was clear it still hurt. “How about yours?” he asked.
    Lana, blanched, but she didn’t answer. Instead she changed the subject and said, “Isn’t it time for you to go to the office?”
    “If you want to avoid the subject, that’s fine. I get it. You’re right. I really do have to get into the office soon.” Sergei seemed put off, but tried to hide it. He had to be at the office to meet with head of the human resources department.
    “Have a good day,” Lana said as he walked out. He turned to look at her and gave her a huge grin.
    “I’ll try, but you know how talking to HR can be a nightmare.” They looked at each other like a married couple. She actually smiled back at him before ducking her head in embarrassment.
    Sergei practically grinned all the way to the office.

Chapter 4
    Three days into her captivity, Lana decided to make her move. It was now or never for her. Truthfully, it was because of her inability to rid Sergei from her thoughts and dreams that she had to go. Lana knew she had to get out of there before she caved to his charm and sexuality; if she stayed she’d give herself to him. They spent every night talking at dinner and laughing about the stupid things he’d say. They both had a liking for English comedies like Shaun of the Dead. He even offered her a trip to London. It was awkward, both considering their situation and the fact that she was tempted to take him up on it.
    He didn’t restrict her to any part of the house. The only thing she couldn’t have was the internet and phone. There was no leaving the property’s tall, manned, rod-ironed fence. It was a fortress if she had ever seen one. Lana had to figure out a different way out of the mansion.
    Sergei was always leaving every morning to go to the office or the actual warehouses. He had daily meetings that he didn’t discuss with her because he said it was boring, but Lana’s skepticism told her that it was for illegal business matters. After all, he had proven her right; he was a criminal. It had been too easy for him to capture her, and none of the people who worked for him batted an eyelash when he had taken her as prisoner. As much as Lana desired him, Sergei was still dangerous to her health. Denial was her best option.
    Lana’s plan was very simple, so much so that it was almost too easy. She had