Page 30 of Savage Truce

Fear floods me, making my head spin, and it takes a lot of effort to cling to consciousness. Fading in and out, his face blurs and I’m only able to make a soft, distressed whimper.

“Shh.” It sounds sinister, only amping up my fear, and when I try to move, Rodian grips me by the shoulders and orders, “Stay still. You need to rest.”

I lose my ability to focus, and when it returns, it’s to feel his lips pressing to my forehead. His voice is low and deep as he says, “You’ll feel better soon.”

When he pulls back and his eyes meet mine, I glance to the side and barely take in the bedroom that’s decorated in cream and burgundy colors.

I swear the man is staring into my soul, and feeling very unnerved, I peek at him again. His brown hair is still up in a manbun, the loose strands hanging in his face that’s older than I remember.

Once more, I find it impossible to accept that the man in the last happy memory I have and the pakhan of the Bratva are the same person.

My dry lips part, my tongue swiping over them before I hoarsely ask, “Did you know… who I was… when we… met?”

Rodian shakes his head. “I wouldn’t have let you walk away from me had I known you were Yegor’s granddaughter.”

When he brings his hand to my face, I flinch. It doesn’t stop him from brushing his palm over my cheek, and I look away again.

“What happened after we parted ways at the theater?” It sounds more like an order than a question.

“Ms. Fedorova was waiting for me… when I got home.” My tone sounds forlorn, and I feel completely broken. “My grandfather rejected me… and I was forced to work as her maid… until your men…”

The past five years hit me all at once. I’ve tried so hard to remain strong through all the abuse and hopelessness, but it becomes too much for me to handle.

I squeeze my eyes shut, and unable to control my breathing, I gasp while it feels as if something heavy is crushing my chest.

Rodian hauls me up into a sitting position, then his arms form steel bands around me as he holds me tightly.

When a painful sob tears through me, I fear I’m going to pass out from the lack of air.

“You’re safe now, Anastasia.” His voice rumbles above my head. “I won’t let anything else happen to you.”

God, what I would’ve given to hear those words before I knew he was the pakhan.

The thought drifts through the panic clouding my mind, then everything goes black.

Rodian

Suddenly, Anastasia slumps in my hold, and her ragged breaths instantly slow down.

Pulling her away from my chest so I can see her face, I realize she’s passed out. I should lay her down again, but instead, I settle her back against me and place my hand behind her head to support her.

Finally holding her after such a long time, I find it next to impossible to let go.

The attraction and love I felt for her settled down over the years, but now that I have her back, they hit me full force. It’s as if they’ve grown in the dark corner I shoved them into instead of withering away.

Just like the first time I got to hug her, it feels like she’s always been meant to be in my arms.

A soft knock on the door pulls me out of my thoughts, and when I glance over my shoulder, I see Miss Zoya coming into the room.

“Your guest has arrived, Mr. Volkov.”

I was so absorbed in Anastasia that I completely lost track of time. Moving slowly, I carefully lay her down and adjust the covers over her.

Leaving the bedside lamp on, I walk out of the room and head down the stairs. When the foyer comes into view and I see Atanas dressed in a tailored suit, I say, “I have to apologize for my appearance. It’s been a busy day.”

The Bulgarian grins as he gives me a once-over. “By the looks of it, you had fun killing people. Who were the unlucky bastards?”

After shaking hands, I gesture toward the dining room, and only once we’ve taken our seats do I reply, “A rogue group who took it upon themselves to kill Yegor’s daughter and other family members.”