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“I swear it,” I say, my heart breaking with each word. “But give me one chance to say goodbye to her.”
Sorokin looks at the two men seated near him, who refuse to look in my direction.
“No,” he replies firmly.
“Just once,” I demand.
“No,” Sorokin repeats, his tone final. “You should have known better than to let yourself become attached to a Lanzzare.”
“Damn you all!” I curse. “Rot in your hell!”
“Your anger will do nothing to change your situation,” he says, unfazed by my outburst. “Now leave, Nikolai Gennadyevich. We have business to discuss with Zakhar Sergeyevich.”
“I’ll walk him to the door,” Zakhar says. We’re watched every step of the way, and guards circle me in, making sure I get into the waiting car alone.
“It’s okay, Nikolai Gennadyevich,” he says. “I’ll tell you everything they tell me.”
I nod as I settle in the back seat. My hands shake, and I bring them together until my knuckles turn white as bone. Resisting the urge to get out and fight for her, I remain seated like a coward.
Eden’s laughter, her touch, her heart and soul are haunting my ears. Yet even now, I can feel them fading from me. Like water slipping through my fingers.
I promised to protect her, and maybe this is the only way to do it.
Eden, I’m sorry. Forgive me. Please, forgive me.
I will always love you, even if I can’t be with you and our child.
I am chained by the Bratva Oath forever, and there is no turning back.
49
EDEN
From an empty bedroom,I watch Nikolai being taken away. The red backlights become smaller and smaller as I press my forehead against the cold glass. My mind races with scenarios as I struggle to accept what has happened.
Deep down, I know leaving wasn’t Nikolai’s decision. He would never willingly abandon me like this.
I race down the stairs toward the front door as if I’m not too late. I reach out for the doorknob, and two scowling guards pull me away. I fight against them, shouting that they better let me go. It’s not fair. I’m doing what’s expected of me to become a pakhan’s wife.
Sorokin steps out of the dining room to investigate the shrieking commotion. His gun is drawn, but he quickly slips it under his jacket when he sees it’s only me. What was he thinking? What was he planning to do to Nikolai?
I elbow a guard, breaking out of his tight grip, and hurry toward Sorokin.
“Please,” I beg him, “just let me see Nikolai one more time.” I point at the door. “Before he reaches the gate.”
Sorokin shakes his head. “No, Eden. He took an oath.”
I stare at him dumbfounded as my breathing quickens and my head feels light. “An oath?” I ask, “What kind of oath?”
“To be a better pakhan.” Sorokin’s lip curls. “And to do that, he must give certain things up.”
“Things?” I shout. “I’m not a thing! Damn your oath! I want to see him.” I ball my fists as if to strike Sorokin, but before I can lash out, my father appears in the hallway behind him. My anger turns into ragged sobs as my father pulls me into his arms.
“Bring her inside,” Sorokin orders before he walks away.
Dad leads me to the dining room, where the same hated pakhans who strive to keep me and Nikolai apart are already seated. Dmitri Chuikov and Anatole Popov sit at the carved table with cups of coffee in front of them. The grim expressions communicate they won’t tolerate anything less than total obedience. And in case it isn’t clear, there’s a handgun resting on the table. My father helps me into a chair, and he sits beside me. I want to hold his hand, but I don’t dare.
Sorokin takes his seat at the head of the table between the two other men. He sits back and watches us before he speaks. “We’ve decided to release your daughter into your custody under one condition. She will have absolutely no contact with Nikolai Starukhin.”
