Unbroken (Fighting for Gisele #3) Read Online Free Page A

had to do was stay relaxed. It was a simple matter to go to a safe deposit box. Customers did it every day of the week. Gisele stilled the thoughts in her head, forcing herself to focus on how routine an action this was.
    Staring in the mirror, Gisele saw the worry in her expression. That would not do. She couldn’t go downstairs looking like she harbored as much trepidation as she did. Alek would expect her to be excited. After all, she was supposed to be looking forward to opening the box.
    Breakfast was out of the question, since Gisele felt ill. Her stomach wouldn’t accommodate food, so she texted Alek: I’ll meet you when it’s time to go. I’m fussing with my hair, and won’t make it down in time to eat with you .
    Again, her lack of sociability wouldn’t sound any alarms. Gisele realized with some dismay that she’d been argumentative and disagreeable with her brother more often. He was accustomed to her snippy replies and rebellious nature.
    That would work to her advantage this morning.
    When Gisele could delay no longer, she draped her purse over her shoulder and left the sanctity of her room. It was tempting to turn back and lock the door behind her. But circumstances didn’t allow for that, so she had to face reality.
    Gisele took a deep breath, then assumed the innocent demeanor that she’d practiced the night before. With an easy smile, she got in the elevator, knowing Alek would be waiting in the lobby. And he wasn’t alone. Standing off to the side were two guards, and she didn’t need to ask to know they intended to escort her to the bank.
    In keeping with her expected level of disdain, Gisele glanced at them then frowned at Alek. “What’s all this?” Her annoyance wasn’t a pretense.
    “I’ve asked them to go to the bank with us, for your safety .” Alek straightened his shoulders, challenging her to defy him.
    Her safety? Not likely. The thugs were there to make sure that Gisele didn’t bolt; she had no delusions about that. But she did take secret delight in noting that Alek felt it required two strong men to keep her in hand.
    “This is supposed to be my day . I resent being guarded as if you think some wayward tourist is going to snag me during a visit to the bank.” It was the best quip that Gisele could come up with on the spur of the moment.
    Gisele’s caustic attitude worked its magic. Alek knew that all was routine, since she was as rebellious as ever. “Well, they are coming with us, and that’s final,” he said. “It’s my duty to protect you, so I’ll proceed as I see fit.”
    “You have no finesse.” Gisele rolled her eyes. “Being protected by you is like being protected by a grizzly bear.”
    Alek ignored the insult. “Are you ready to go?”
    In reply, Gisele turned toward the door, and one of the overly muscled guards opened it for her. So far, so good. Alek hadn’t known anything was amiss; Gisele was sure of it. She was nervous as hell, but didn’t show it. She would save falling apart for later, when her brother wasn’t there to witness it.
    On the way to the bank, Alek didn’t say anything, nor did Gisele. The silence was welcome, as it kept her from having to parry any verbal attacks. When they arrived, one guard took care of the car, while the other went inside with them.
    Even though Gisele knew that Micah was watching from some vantage point, she didn’t dare glance to either side. It wouldn’t do to reveal his hiding place, or give any indication that her attention was on anything besides the opening of her safe deposit box.
    Bolstered on each side by burly men, Gisele felt like some kind of royalty with a dark entourage. She didn’t appreciate the gloomy look of her companions. Alek and the guard lumbered forward, one on each side of her, bereft of any hint of lightheartedness.
    “This is an exciting moment for me,” Gisele said, looking directly at her brother. “Don’t look so somber.”
    Alek didn’t react to that. He just headed