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“Oh, my God, Elena,” I gasp. My stomach churns just thinking about the unimaginable pain she must have gone through, but she continues.
“A few days before they were going to ship us off, I heard shouts. And then, there was shooting outside. That’s when Lev Ivanov, the Bratva leader came. They slaughtered every one of those men who held us captive and caused me so much pain. Every single one of them. I know none of that was for me – Mister Ivanov had his own reasons. But watching the Mexican mafia suffer for everything they did to my sister and me… It gave me hope.” Elena’s eyes are swimming as they meet mine, but there’s triumph in those depths. The triumph of survival while her tormentors died.
“I’m so sorry, Elena,” I whisper. My heart aches for her. I reach out and squeeze her shoulder, wishing I could do more. She tenses and I drop my hand, feeling like I’m intruding somehow.
“You see, Miz Ivanova? This is the only place for me,” she says, then seems to shake off the dark thoughts. “Mister Ivanov offered the other girls and me to start a new life. I had nowhere to go, so I chose to stay here. I owe him everything.”
I’m silent as I dwell on her words. I can barely believe she is talking about Lev. The same ruthless man everyone calls the Devil. Then again, if I’ve learned anything about my husband these past days, it’s his ability to flip personalities in the blink of an eye. You never know what to expect of him. And it’s almost driving me insane, because good or evil, Lev Ivanov consumes me.
“He deserves to have someone like you,” Elena says out of the blue, and I snap out of my thoughts.
“What do you mean?” I ask with a puzzled look, and she nods.
“He has been through a lot. More than he’ll ever let you know.” Her lips press together. “And men like him don’t take time to heal themselves. He needs you in his life. Someone with a good heart,” Elena says, and I allow her words to sink in.
“I don’t know, Elena.” I shake my head. “It’s like he is in his own world. Anytime I feel like I’ve made progress with him, he locks me out,” I tell her.
“Give him time,” Elena says. I give her an incredulous look. “I heard he lost everyone when he was still a child. I know what it feels like to lose someone you deeply care about.” She sniffs, wiping a wayward tear from the corner of her eye. “That man…” She shakes her head. “His wounds run deep.”
“I guess,” I mumble, still not really sure what to say. I’m still under the influence of everything Elena has been through. I have so many questions. So many doubts. But I don’t want to push for more. I know she already shared more with me than what’s comfortable for her. And above all, Elena doesn’t know how scared I am. Scared because I have already gotten too deep into Lev’s world.
So deep, that it just might be my downfall.
***
I feel shameful as I press the doorbell to my mother’s apartment. It has barely been two hours since my conversation with Elena. I can’t get her words off my mind.
As I wait, I smooth a hand over my tousled hair, flinching at the stinging in my palms. I’d had to fight my way through the undergrowth of the woods outside the house. I’d scrambled on my belly to get across the lawn and then shoved through the thick brambles with my jacket wrapped around my hand. It didn’t leave me unscathed. I still had to pluck thorns from my skin as I finally emerged into the clear road beyond the treeline. I’ll never make much of a cat burglar; I’m really not cut out for all this cloak-and-dagger stuff.
I check behind me to ensure that I haven’t been followed. It took everything to leave the premises without anyone noticing.
I frown when my mother doesn’t open the door, wondering if she has stepped out. I press the doorbell once more while I bring my phone out of my pocket.
I’m about to dial her number when the door suddenly opens and her head pops out.
“Aurora,” she greets me with a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes.
“Are you okay?” I ask with a frown.
“Of course I am,” she says, anxiously straightening her dress. “Come in.” She guides me inside before shutting the door.
“I’m sorry it took so long to get here. It was, um…difficult to leave without being noticed,” I explain as we walk to the living room.
“Of course, my dear,” she shakes her head, waving a hand. “Honestly, I don’t think I’ll ever forgive your father for marrying you off to that brute.” I tense at her words. Instinctively, I feel an unexplainable urge to defend my husband.
“Lev isn’t that bad. I mean, he has his days when he’s a bit… complicated. But there are good days, too,” I say. I realize I’m telling the truth as I say it. There may be more bad days than good at the moment. But the good days… Those areeverything.
I snap out of my thoughts when I notice her looking at me strangely.
“You’re defending him?” she says.
“No. Yes… I guess I’m just telling you how things are,” I say with a shrug. I feel the need to sound like Lev doesn’t affect me.
She shakes her head. “There is more to it. I can tell.” Her eyes widen with disbelief. “Are you… developing feelings for him,” she asks.
“I am not developing feelings for him,” I snap.
She raises an eyebrow. “Alright, dear. No need to get upset. I was merely concerned about how this might affect my plans,” she says.
