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Perhaps I’d been wrong about my brother all this time. Perhaps we shared a connection far beyond my understanding. For a split second, a second too short, it was as if we were young again. Him carrying me on his back and picking cherries for me to eat, or when he taught me how to draw.
It was like we were kids all over again, and before I knew it, a real tear slipped free.
Immediately, I pushed those thoughts and feelings to the side. They were irrelevant. They were pathetic. My gaze hardened when he wasn’t speaking, and I grew irritated at his quietness.
“Free me, Aleksei.” It came out more like a command, but I didn’t care. “I want to see what this world has to offer, and I fucking deserve it.”
I could’ve walked out any time. I didn’t need his permission, but I wasn’t ready to give up his protection. Now that Bogdan’s focus wasn’t me, and Viktor was dead, I no longer feared anyone. I wanted to be free; I wanted to take control of my life, and I couldn’t do that while being tied to this family.
“I’ll free you if you promise to keep in touch, at least every two to three years.”
I smiled. “Don’t worry—I’ll call on your birthday.”
Slowly, he squeezed my hand, and that was all I needed. It was as if a big weight had been lifted off my chest and I was finally able to breathe properly.
I remained by his side for another hour, until he fell asleep. This was the last time I’d see him until the day I died, because I wanted to be buried in our family’s tomb in Russia. It was contradictory, given how hard I’d fought not to go back there, but that was where I’d been born, and that was where I wanted to be committed back to the void.
I placed a soft kiss on his forehead and slowly walked away without another glance. They no longer had a sister, and I was no longer tied to this godforsaken family. It was an easy decision, yet why did my heart stutter, even if it was only for a minute?
“You’re leaving,” Dominik commented. He was leaning against the wall, his newest pair of glasses resting on the bridge of his nose.
“Yes.”
“When?” His question came quickly. His voice was flat, but I knew he wasn’t pleased with my decision.
“Soon. I still have some loose ends to tie up.”
He nodded. “And what are you going to do next?”
I shrugged. “Who knows? I’m a very well-educated woman—I’m sure I’ll figure it out.”
He remained quiet, so I joked, “I can always start killing people for money.”
“That’s not funny. It wouldn’t get you far from the world you’re trying to escape.”
“That’s true.”
I looked at him, knowing it was the last time I’d see him too. He was going to do just fine without me. He was too smart for his own good, and I was hoping Rhea would follow through with the suggestion I’d given her.
Rhea and Dominik would suit each other.
“You can still use the credit card I gave you.”
I grinned. “Oh, I will.”
He rolled his eyes.
He didn’t approach me; nor did I want him to.
“Take care of yourself, princess.”
The nickname tugged something in my heart, but the feeling vanished just as quickly as it had come. With a nod, I turned and walked away—away from the only life I knew; from the only people I knew. It was a good thing. I felt relieved; I felt overwhelmed.
I glanced at Aleksei’s home for the last time before I drove off, leaving all my memories there. I didn’t need them where I was going.
Now all that was left to do was tell Davorin about my plans and bribe him to come with me. No matter what it took, we were going to live and die together.
T W E N T Y – T H R E E
