The Agreement (Darkest Lies Trilogy Book 1) by Bethany-Kris (motivational books for men .TXT) 📕

Karine hadn’t taken a single pill—one she stumbled upon on her own, or medication from Masha—in longer than she could remember. Was it that morning—yesterday? At first, she thought she was being crazy, but she wasn’t imagining it.

Masha offered her less than she used to with no explanation. At first, Karine was confused and angry. That was the one way she made it through the day, something she almost depended on. It was a lot to constantly drown in her thoughts and emotions—no longer numbed to it all by a never-ending supply of this pill or that one to keep her perky and happy when needed.

It was a different kind of helplessness and fear. She fought through it—taking it one day at a time, one moment to the next. She might be so jittery she could barely sit still one second, and then she’d be lost to her mind in the next.

And then one morning, Karine wasn’t so angry about it. Maybe that was the moment her mind started to clear of the haze, her random thoughts weren’t just irrational. She started to consider what it would feel like if she didn’t ask for the pills—Masha was still quick to give them when she thought Karine might make a scene, after all. What would happen if she stopped taking them altogether?

What would be left of herself or her mind when the surge of fake chemical happiness and nerve-numbing calm were suddenly missing from her life?

It was scary.

More than she wanted to admit.

Yet, Karine was determined. She could stick it out—she would. Especially now that she had the chance to be able to hold a single thought longer than a few moments at a time when Masha wasn’t offering medication constantly to deal with every little upset. More importantly, since this could be her last chance to have any independent thought before her impending marriage. She wasn’t about to ruin her moment of possible freedom for a couple hours of rose-tinted emotions.

Those few minutes in the alleyway had proved to her it would be more than worth it. Just like that, Karine’s mind drifted to that night with Roman. Something changed in her, then. She felt it click in her brain. Not that she even knew how to begin to describe it.

No man had ever touched her the way he did—none made her want it. Not like he did. She felt safe with him—he’d made her brave and bold.

And she wanted to feel it again.

Be that again.

Masha wasn’t there—on tribute nights, her services were required by her father, more often than not. Or rather, Maxim preferred her over others. Karine usually spent the night by herself, as she was supposed to do.

Now that she stood at the veranda and heard the cars driving to the front of the estate, she couldn’t help the shivering tingle of excitement. It crawled through her veins slowly, with promise. Something she very rarely felt about anything.

This could be it.

Her only chance at exercising her own thoughts and wishes. For once, she could do something she wanted, because she wanted to do it. Her life was about to change drastically—she didn’t want to regret what she hadn’t done.

Besides, what more did she have to lose?

• • •

The big weeping willow tree at the side of the mansion by the rocky wall that outlined the driveway became her newest hiding spot. Karine knew the tree well. She had spent a lot of time under it when she was younger and wanted to stay hidden and unseen.

Tonight, she found herself under the tree again, sitting on a large, exposed root at the back side. The branches and leaves that surrounded her created the perfect canopy against prying eyes.

Besides, as much as her father liked to keep the mansion well lit and imposing, the driveway usually remained dark when the sun set. He preferred to keep his guests and arrivals secret from curious neighbors and cameras. Even Karine could figure that out.

She plucked wildflowers growing in the grass around her, brushing the soft petals along her cheeks. If she pressed her eyes closed hard enough, she could almost imagine Roman touching her again. For a man with a presence as imposing as his, including his size, he had a soft touch. Even in the hardness of his stare, she had found something kind, and curious.

Her eyes flew wide as more cars arrived, driving in and taking their positions at the entrance to the house. The spaces were quickly filling up and still, there was no sign of Roman.

Her heart fell at the possibility he wouldn’t show up. She had no idea if he was even in Chicago anymore—she didn’t really know anything about him at all. What was his life like outside of her world?

Then, she saw a car and there he was, sitting in it. Parked at the very end of the row, it had come in only seconds after the car ahead of it. She hadn’t paid it much mind because it wasn’t Roman driving. Someone else sat in the driver’s seat, and the two men chatted with smiles on their faces. There was an unmistakable camaraderie between them. The way they shared easy laughter made Karine think they had to be friends.

That traitorous heart of hers skipped a beat when she saw Roman stepping out of the car. His friend did the same, except he went for the duffle bags in the backseat.

“Roman!”

Karine froze the second she spoke. She hadn’t even meant to say his name, but it slipped from her lips before she could stop it. An urge she couldn’t control.

Her voice, carried by the breeze, still reached him. She wasn’t standing that close to him, but he still turned like she had reached out, and touched him on the shoulder.

Karine was so sure that nobody would be able to see her, but he looked at her directly. Through the swaying branches covered with thick leaves, he saw her. Like he