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Alek shrugs, unfastening a button on his shirt as it seems he is having trouble breathing. “No, I don’t think so. They are safe. For now. That was very noble of you to ask for their clemency.”
“Did…did you really do what he said?” I know I’m treading dangerous waters, but what have I got to lose?
Alek turns to look out the window, but he eventually replies. “Yes. I was wrong to do what I did. Ingrid was not mine, yet when she slipped into my bed, I didn’t say no. Oscar has every right to hold a grudge.”
“What kind of world is this?” I whisper, so broken and alone. A tear runs down my cheek.
“Please don’t cry.” He sighs heavily. “I’m…sorry.”
Sorry? He’s apologizing for what, exactly? He’s done so much.
“When will this end?”
I’m expecting Alek to give me the same spiel I’ve heard a million times before—that this is how they do it here—but he doesn’t.
He doesn’t say a word.
Day 60
THE MASQUERADE BALLis in two weeks. That’s all I have. Two fucking weeks to get the hell out of here if Saint doesn’t pull through.
I’m proud to say I have finished decoding the journal, but now, the question is, what am I supposed to do with this information? I could blackmail Alek because the dirt on him spans for years. But after he came to my “rescue,” doing that feels almost…wrong.
Compared to the other game players, Alek’s crimes are far less callous. Yes, he’s Russia’s number one drug lord, mafia boss, and all-round bad guy, but unlike Oscar, whose cruelty I witnessed firsthand, Alek’s crimes are all about power and money.
The people he’s in possession of came to him either voluntarily or they were used to settle a debt, like me. But apart from Sara and me, it seems after a while, these people don’t want to go. Look at Zoey. She did everything in her power to stay.
Because he will worm his way into your soul.
Her words still echo loudly because when they were first spoken, I scoffed, believing that would never happen to me. But I can’t deny that being around Alek doesn’t…repulse me like it once did. He’s almost pleasant at times, making it hard to plot his demise.
However, I only have to remember why I’m here, and such nonsense soon disappears.
When I hear a knock on my door, I quickly hide the journal in its usual spot and wait for whoever to enter. It’s Alek.
“Hi, I haven’t caught you at a bad time?” he asks. I’m standing in the middle of the room not really doing much of anything.
“No, it’s okay. I was going to read.” I gesture with my head to the newspaper on the nightstand. “But it’s in Russian, so you know…I don’t read Russian.”
Alek’s lips twitch. “I was wondering if you’d like to accompany me for lunch. I have some business to attend to in town.” He looks a little casual for a business meeting in khaki pants and a white button-down shirt.
I arch a brow. “Business?”
He nods but doesn’t disclose what that business is.
The last time he had business to attend to, I witnessed a lot of bloodshed. I can’t stomach a repeat performance.
He must read my apprehension. “It’s a business meeting with the mother superior who runs the local orphanage. I am a benefactor and like to check in from time to time.”
My mouth hinges open as I can’t hide my utter surprise.
Alek laughs in response. “Thought I was just a bad guy, right? I know what it’s like to be hungry. And to not have a home.”
I’m speechless because I wouldn’t expect him to do something like this. Giving money to an orphanage is thoughtful, kind, and generous, and I would have never associated those qualities with Alek—until now.
“Sure, I’ll come. Thank you for asking me.”
Alek smiles, catching me off guard again. “I’ll wait for you outside. Take your time.” And with that, he closes the door, allowing me to get ready.
