AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I stare hard into Valeri’s eyes. “I love him.”
“Are you sure?” he asks. “He’s not an easy man to love.”
Ridiculous. I try to pull away, but the tight confines of the car make it impossible. I try anyway, but Valeri never loosens his grip. He smirks at me, grabs my other shoulder, and yanks me into a kiss that I can’t escape. I clench my teeth shut as he tries to force his tongue into my mouth.
I would kill him on the spot if I had a weapon in my hand. I shake as a chill races over my skin. I try hard to block the next thought out of my mind, but it forces its way in.Is this how Andrei felt when he saw Igor?Valeri is smart enough to let me go before I can act on my thoughts.
“My husband will get you.” I struggle, desperate to land a slap across his face.
Valeri chuckles. “Not much of a threat right now.”
I tug myself out of his grip. “I’m nothing like Talia. And never try that again.” I slam the car door and scowl at him through the window. The bastard laughs as I flip him off. Watching me act like a brat defying authority doesn’t bother him.
Valeri watches as I climb the steps of the house. “You can find your own way back?” he calls out. The engine revs so loud it vibrates against my eardrums, and then a flash of blue disappears around the corner. There’s no need to watch me go inside. Valeri knows I’m eager to get in there.
Emotions flood into me and make me lightheaded as I cross the threshold and see my old home with different eyes. It’s as if I’ve never lived here. I walk into the center of the living room and turn in a circle as if I’m touring a museum.
A stack of open mail is piled on the mat by the door, and the dust on the furniture is undisturbed. Idly, I wonder if I should open a window and let some fresh air in. I flick a light switch, but nothing happens. I reassure myself that the bill hasn’t been paid, and it’s not a trap. The house seems untouched except for the tell-tale signs of scattered papers on the floor. They left behind Dad’s laptop on his easy chair. I guess because it only has music files.
I wonder how many people have searched our house.
Moving slowly, I cautiously walk through the living room to the kitchen. Then freeze in place.
Emma sits on a barstool in the middle of the kitchen with her hands bound. A bandana is tied around her mouth, muffling her whimpers. Seeing her there, helpless and alone, rips a hole in my heart.
Panicking, I run to her and pulled the gag out of her mouth. Her pale face and wide eyes look at me as I undo the rope around her wrists. Joy weakens my knees as I cling to her, relieved she’s alive.
My arms wrap around her, and the warmth of her body fills me with a feeling of security. She’s safe, and we’re together again. I’ve done it. I’ve saved her. Emma looks at me with an expression I can’t put into words.
“Emma, are you all right?” I whisper. “How did you get here? Where are they?”
She stares toward the farthest corner of the room by the basement door as a shadow moves away from the wall.
“Sonya, what are you doing here?” I smile unconvincingly. “I’m glad you’re here. I’m glad you’re all right.”
Emma holds me tightly, her short nails biting into my flesh. She stops me from moving forward.
“Where’s Andrei Vasilyevich?” Sonya asks in a rough voice. “Did he send you alone?”
My grip tightens on Emma’s arm as I wait for Talia to jump out like a goblin from under a bed. Without being too obvious, I look around the kitchen and try to figure out if there’s anyone else.
I follow the direction of Emma’s gaze. Sonya eyes us viciously; her long hair is dirty, and she’s not wearing any makeup. It’s not the Sonya I know. Emma starts breathing faster as she stares at the gun in Sonya’s hand.
Sonya scoffs. “I thought he’d never let his precious Paige out of his sight.”
“I don’t understand,” I reply slowly. “Why are you here?”
Sonya doesn’t answer my question. “It’s okay now that you have your sister back, right? To hell with the rest of us, right? You’re the reason why our lives have gone to shit. Why my mother is dead.”
My heart starts to pound, but I must keep a cool head. I have to bring her down. Convince her that I’m not the problem. Grief has changed her into a person I no longer know. “I’m sorry about what happened, Sonya. All of us are sorry.”
“Is that all?” she asks, pointing the gun at us. “Vasily’s son went on a killing spree.” She laughs. “So, his silly wife apologizing should be enough.”
I lift my hands as if to ward her off. “You’re upset. This isn’t you.”
Sonya tosses her head, smiling wickedly. “I spent time with Talia too. And just like you, Paige, it changed me.”
“Oh God, she didn’t put you in a cell, did she?” I reach toward Sonya, and she aims the gun at Emma. “Let Emma go!” I shout. “Whatever happens. Please let her go. A Reyes for a Reyes.” I step in front of my sister, maneuvering slowly toward the hallway. “What do you want?”
