Chapter 8
The next day they travelled up the fjord towards Skjolden. The mist was hanging heavy over the fjord and there was a nip in the air as the yacht glided over the calm surface of the water that appeared more like a pond than a fjord. They weren’t far behind a large cruise ship as he cuddled his wife close to him and the warmth of his Aran sweater on the balcony outside their cabin. Skjolden was his childhood home and he was now enjoying pointing out the steep mountains covered in lush green trees surrounding the fjord and telling her about his home.
“It is so beautiful,” she gushed. “I bet you loved growing up here.”
“It was wonderful. We hiked a lot but there wasn’t that much to do otherwise. I prefer city life now.” He grinned as the yacht began to dock behind the cruise ship. “Come on. I suppose we should get ready. Are you sure you are up for this?”
As they neared Skjolden he had become concerned he was doing the right thing by going to the party. He was worried about putting Fallon at risk.
“Yes. This is the chance you have been waiting for, and I told you I want to help. When your sister is safe with us we can carry on our lives together,” she smiled reaching up on her tiptoes to kiss him. He nodded.
“I can’t wait,” he said taking in a deep breath of fresh mountain air wishing he could have introduced his bride to his parents in their home just outside the small town.
Vettisfossen Manor house was situated just outside the town up in the hills overlooking the fjord and the docks with his yacht and the cruise ships. Vidar got out of the car and took his wife’s hand to lead her across the wide, circular, cobbled courtyard with a fountain playing in the centre towards the pale yellow-gold façade of the manor with two floors and a black slate roof.
He hadn’t been able to tear his eyes away from Fallon since she had emerged from the cabin in her long, black, off the shoulder evening gown with a slit up the side, complemented by some high heeled Louboutin evening shoes. She wore her hair down letting it cascade around her shoulders. She was breathtaking and he knew he would be jealously guarding her from other men all night.
Sven Ericksson was at the party and introduced him to Janis Bukelis. The urge to shake the man and demand where he was keeping his sister was overwhelming but if he wanted to get Janis on his own he would have to play his game.
“I hear you are interested in buying my oil platforms in the North Sea, I am selling off, for Baron Prince Petroleum now that you have acquired it.”
“Yes,” Vidar answered not liking the way he kept sweeping his eyes lustily over Fallon after their introductions.
“You are not the only one after them. I have decided to diversify into other projects and I want to dispense with them. In half an hour, I will be holding a meeting about it. Until then enjoy the party,” he said gesturing at the wide ballroom and buffet at the end of the room.
Half an hour later, one of Janis’ aides came to him.
“Please come with me, Mr and Mrs Alvarsson.”
They were led with eight other couples to Bukelis’ large study which also appeared to double as a library. They were all guided to stand in a semi-circle while he stood in the middle and addressed them with his hands behind his back.
“Gentlemen, you will already be aware why I have brought you here with your beautiful wives. If you want to buy my oil platforms you will have to prove your worth and indulge me in a little game. The four couples who impress me the most will enter the next phase of the competition.”
It was playing out just as Ericksson had foretold. Vidar just prayed the games wouldn’t go too far.
“Strip your wives, gentlemen,” Janis gave the order, quietly, softly, seductively eyeing Vidar’s own wife with lustful eyes. The wives began to protest and were quietly hushed by their husbands. Vidar couldn’t help but narrow his eyes feeling the sweep of jealous protectiveness wash over him with force. It made him tighten his hold on Fallon’s waist as the other men obeyed him without question.
He felt Fallon jump in his arms when they both heard the rip of material and a shocked female gasp. One of the Billionaires had already begun the process, tucking his fingers with force down the front of the revealing bodice of his pretty wife’s silk evening dress and torn at it immediately baring her plump braless breasts. They wobbled on top of her chest as the man continued his task with diligence. The others quickly followed suit but Vidar stood still.
Fallon moved her hands along his arms.
“Vidar,” she whispered. “You must do this,” she urged.
Vidar looked down at her then back at the others tearing the evening dresses from their helpless wives, one of them already ripping his wife’s flimsy panties away to slap her bottom flushing it a light rosy red to keep her in line when she moved away.
Fallon was right. He knew that. If he didn’t act they would ruin what they came here to do. Janis was now looking at them with a wry smile on his lips. Vidar turned back to Fallon and abruptly let go of her waist. He looked down at her cleavage in the black dress and tucked his fingers down the front and began roughly tugging the material down her body. The act was brutal and made him instantly hard. To both his surprise and satisfaction, Fallon gave a loud