AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I should get to the point and ask Andrei about the money. Tell him what Talia said. Put him on the spot. But I’m afraid of what his answers will be. I’m so scared I will hate him if he confirms my suspicions.
Because I know it won’t change anything in the end.
Andrei shifts in his seat and stares straight ahead, refusing to acknowledge I exist. He should be furious. He risked a lot to save me, but I’ve shown no gratitude. The growing argument subsides, and the rest of the ride home is spent in bitter silence.
I can’t help thinking about what Talia kept telling me.
I think about what my father said at the hospital.
Is my father still alive? Is Talia? I’ll get answers from someone … one way or another.
Chapter 9
Paige
Nothing else is said, and soon the Rover pulls into the driveway in front of the mansion. Andrei jumps out before me and walks away from the Rover.
Dmitri meets my gaze in the rearview mirror. “He has done a lot for you,” he says. “But he is hard to reach. Maybe you’d appreciate what he has sacrificed if you could make him talk to you?”
“It’s not your business,” I snap. “I’ve had enough advice.”
“He’s my pakhan, so it is my business,” he replies stiffly. “Behave for the next few days, Paige Geraldovna, please. For all our sakes.”
Dmitri doesn’t wait for a response, and I don’t have one. He gets out of the car and heads toward the house. Every day, he must wish he had pulled over when Andrei first snatched me and dumped me out on the sidewalk instead of taking me here.
I sit in the Rover, and my emotions overpower me. I didn’t ask for this. If he had just left me alone, neither of us would be in this mess. I don’t even know how to make Andrei confide in me.
I breathe in deeply and finally step out. The gates behind me open, but I’m too tired to run. I’m tired of running for my life, and I miss home. My real home. A nurse comes out of the mansion, and I watch her get into her car and drive through the open gates. What’s she doing here?
The front door opens for me, and Eva pulls me into her arms. The warmth of her hug transforms me. Sonya stands close behind with a luminous smile beaming on her face. She takes her turn and also hugs me tight.
“Paige, I’m so happy you are safe,” she says. “I was worried when I heard the news.”
“Of course she’s safe,” crows Eva. “Your brother would stop at nothing to get his wife back.”
I’m thrown off balance by the warmth of their greeting. Knowing someone missed me and wasn’t worried that I wouldn’t be around to serve their greater goal.
“I’m happy to see you both.” The tears I held back come out in a sloppy, ugly cry. I don’t give a shit. Let them see me cry. I’m not weak. I’ve been strong, and I still am. I’ve seen hell, and I can handle it. I always do.
Eva holds me until I pull away and rub my face dry, taking in a slow breath. Only then do I become aware of another nurse walking into the mansion and heading upstairs. That makes no sense. The other men arrived after us, and no one was carried in. Andrei said they lost no men, so why do they need a nurse?
I snap out of it. I’m clear-headed, as if I’ve gotten eight hours of sleep. “What is going on? Why is there a nurse here?”
Eva looks over at Andrei, who stands in his office doorway. His cold gaze makes me brace myself for the worse. “Your sister is here, along with your father. He is receiving treatment.”
I’m caught off balance, not expecting to hear this. At first, I’m delighted, but then the truth hits me like my world is caving in. My family didn’t come here by choice.
Andrei has my family. Clearly, there’s something else in his plans. He still needs me. But why?
“I want to see them.”
“Perhaps you should rest first, my dear.”
I shake Eva’s hand off my shoulder. “It’s my family!”
I head toward the stairs, surprising myself with my swift movements after my ordeal. I head toward the room where I was held when I was first brought here. A tall beanpole of a boy is standing outside the door. Charcoal black hair hangs in his eyes as he watches me. Ignoring him, I head to the door.
“Nyet,” he says, blocking my way.
