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“I ran away from home.” She hesitates, like she’s overwhelmed by mentioning that word. I know the feeling. “My parents wanted me to see a tutor so I wouldn’t fail sophomore year. And I didn’t want to.”
Sophomore year? My eyes flare wide. Oh my God, she can’t be older than fifteen!
I’m infused by a brand-new wave of disgust toward Yevgeniy.
Fuck that man. He deserves to burn in hell.
“I snuck out,” she rattles on. “And went to a tattoo parlor to get this. That’s when I was kidnapped. I shouldn’t have run away.” Again, she pauses, her voice growing softer. “I was so stupid.”
“But you’re safe now,” I say soothingly. Picking up her sweater dress, I hand it back to her with a sheepish grin. “And that’s all that matters.”
Madison puckers her lips together. Then, for the first time, she manages a smile. “Thank you.”
“You’re sure of what you saw?”
Arsen is pacing his bedroom. His shoulders are massive knots that throttle his neck. “Yeah, positive,” I say. “It was definitely a three-legged fox. Are you satisfied?”
He pulls up short, staring at me like I said something insulting. All at once he drops his arms and sighs. “I’m sorry; I know I’m being paranoid.”
Seeing how he recognizes his behavior and apologizes, the tension evaporates from my spine too. “I understand. Everything that’s going on … It’s hard to know who we can trust.”
You, for example.
I don’t say it. I never could.
Arsen lets a tired smile cross his face. Ruffling his hair, he approaches me. “Thank you for checking her.”
I let my eyes become downcast. “There’s something else.”
“What?” His voice is back to being anxious.
“She’s only fifteen.”
He says nothing. Lifting my head, I see the lack of surprise on his face. “How do you know?”
“She said something about not failing sophomore year. So I did some quick math.”
Arsen grimaces. “Yevgeniy has always preferred teenagers. The younger they are, the easier they are to break.”
I clutch my stomach so I don’t heave. “Arsen, we have to protect her.”
“We will. I’ll tell Ulyana to set up a guest bedroom for her; she’ll be as safe as anyone under my roof.”
I smile in immense relief. Egged on by my flood of emotions, I move forward, wrapping him in a strong embrace. He stiffens in shock before hugging me back. At first, it’s hesitant, but then it’s firm and solid. He’s eager for my touch.
“Thank you, Arsen.” Mila will be thankful too. My attention shifts to his large bed. Since I returned to the mansion, I’ve been sleeping in my own bedroom. The questions in my brain, my own fears, have kept me from wanting to share his bed.
“Tonight,” I say lightly, “can I sleep here?”
Arsen jerks back, holding me at arm’s length. “You’re serious.”
I nod.
“Galina, I would love nothing more than to have you here beside me.”
I smile shyly at his honesty. I don’t tell him that I’m nervous … that part of me still wonders about the core of his being. How dark are his sins? Can light ever shine on them? But I’m also feeling needy. I don’t want to be alone, especially after listening to Madison. Her tragedy has made me want to seek out a source of protection.
There’s no one more protective than Arsen Isakov.
