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Andrei only pretends because he thinks it makes him stronger to deny any other feeling but hate. He’s forgotten that passion exists in both hate and in love.
“I loved my mother,” he continues. “And love did this to her. What does love do except cause grief? I didn’t mean it, but I was blinded by hurt and, I admit it … jealousy. Only love can hurt in this way. I don’t want to cause this pain again.”
His words chill me. Has he changed his mind about us?
Andrei is the reason why I’m weak. Why I won’t leave. Like a moth to the flame, I’m lured back by the darkness in his eyes. I can’t exist without it—the possessiveness I pretend I don’t want.
But have I only confused that possessiveness with love?
Can I pull away and resist Andrei before I’m the one in an early grave?
“Andrei.” My voice is soft. “You need to rest. I’m safe here.”
Andrei presses my hand to his lips. He closes his eyes tightly, as if he’s praying over my hand. His lips part as if to speak, but he stops. Maybe he realizes now is not the time to say too much.
He already has. I heard remorse in his voice when he claimed that he let love get in his way.
“Paige, it will be all right.” He kisses my forehead softly. “I will find Emma.”
I pull my hand away and clench it into a tight fist. I want to shout and tell him not to race out of here and shoot everything that crosses his path. But I don’t. I don’t say a word about what I am thinking. My mind flips and flops, and I realize the mistake I almost made by changing it.
I can’t live with this man. But I have to stay until Emma comes back. After that, I’ll take my little sister and run.
“Andrei.” I soften my tone to hide my anxious feelings. “Please go home and get some rest.”
He shakes his head. “I’ll rest when I’m dead.” His eyes flash like polished onyx, and I know that seeking revenge is the only way he can handle what he has done. It’s the only way he believes he can atone for his sins.
The nurse’s voice is raised outside the door as she shuffles into the room, trying to hold someone back. Andrei spins toward the door, and I close my eyes, not wishing to see the awful sight of his gun.
He freezes, hand at his hip, when Dmitri enters.
“Sir, visiting hours are over,” the nurse stammers when Dmitri runs his hand over his forehead, revealing his scar and the tattoos on his fingers. Instantly, she knows what we are and gives me a shocked look before she scurries out of the room.
“We won’t be long,” Dmitri calls out to her, and then he lowers his voice. “Andrei Vasilyevich, someone is willing to talk.”
Andrei nods, and Dmitri leaves the room without looking at me.
It’s okay. Back to business as usual. I’m the little dummy who thinks I can compete with my husband’s true love—his Bratva.
Andrei leans in to kiss my cheek, and I turn away. He kisses me anyway. His fingers gently pull my head toward his. I don’t say a word as my own anger begins to seethe through my limbs. I want to leap up and shove him away. I want to say what I really think and make him understand that he doesn’t care about me or the baby.
I’ve been a fool. A fool in love. That’s me. I wanted his love. It cost me my family … and his.
“Paige, I’ll be back in the morning.” Andrei is out the door before I can say goodbye.
Tears roll down my cheeks, and I wipe them away with the back of my hand. But there’s no time to feel sorry for myself. I have to think clearly, without letting love and fear blind me again.
Emma needs me. My baby needs me.
More than either of them needs Andrei.
Chapter 2
Paige
In the morning, Andrei doesn’t show. And I must’ve fallen asleep again while thinking of silly ways to escape this mess. Every possible scenario has been run through my mind a hundred times, and overthinking is useless. I need a decent plan, but I have had no experience in plotting a successful escape thus far.
The morning nurse takes my breakfast tray away with a tense smile and asks again if I want to speak to a social worker. I know what they think as the nurses stand and whisper in the hallway.
