AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I swallow hard. I’m no longer Eden. I’m a tool, a means to an end. And as long as I remain here, I will serve as both a symbol of love and a threat of revenge.
“Remember your place,” Sorokin warns, his voice deadly even. “Youmay be a woman of your word, but your life—and the life of your child—depends on Nikolai Gennadyevich’s obedience.”
And with that, he turns and leaves me alone in the room.
I sink onto the edge of the small bed, feeling a cold grip around my heart. My hands instinctively cradle my belly as I fight back tears. Thoughts of revenge swirl inside my head like a storm.
I approach the window, drawing back the heavy curtains to reveal a view of the vineyard where Nikolai and I made love. My fingers trace the cold glass, and I imagine Nikolai’s green eyes filled with worry for me and our child. He’ll do anything to protect us, even if it means submitting to Sorokin’s twisted demands.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper, holding my baby bump. “Forgive me for doing this to you.”
Tears threaten as I remember our last night together, how Nikolai’s lips pressed against my forehead, and he promised me what I wanted.
For the future we want to build together. That’s what matters most, Eden. And I will do anything for that.
But now, I have been removed from that hope. I’ve always been a pawn in a game of power and revenge, and it’s my unborn child who will pay the price.
“Please understand,” I plead. “I would never have chosen this for you, my baby. But I had no choice.” I pause, taking a deep breath to steady myself. “My baby.”
A sudden knock at the door startles me, and I quickly wipe away my tears. I refuse to let them see me cry and give them satisfaction. With a shaky breath, I call out, “Come in.”
The door opens and reveals Sorokin’s servant. His expression is a stoic mask, as if waiting on women being held captive is part of his duties.
“Lunch is served,” he announces curtly.
“Thank you,” I manage to reply.
As we walk down the stairs, I know that every moment I spend within these walls will be a test that I must endure for the sake of my future family. Despite it all, a small flame still burns within me. My love for Nikolai and the fierce need to protect our child fuel it.
Sorokin warned me to remember my place. And I will.
But I also remember who I am.
I am the daughter of Zakhar and mother to the heir of the Starukhin Bratva. Nikolai loves me. I will be his wife someday, and we will raise our child together without fear.
43
NIKOLAI
The garage doorsblock out the sunlight that tries to intrude on my self-imposed isolation. I need to be alone to think, and Rurik’s garage offers me a twisted sanctuary. The two-car garage looks benign to the uninitiated, but it feeds my anger. Heavy ropes hang off hooks from the ceiling, and neat racks of tools hang on a corkboard in order of size. Everything is mundane until Rurik handles it. The cement floor is cracked in places where a great weight has slammed against it.
Muscles shaking, I stride through a connecting door into the second garage where a vintage Mustang is stored. It’s amusing to actually see a car in here, knowing what this building was originally intended for. I lift back the protective cover from the front of the muscle car and stare at the black surface that shines, even in this dim light. Closing my eyes, I lean my hands against it and allow the feeling of guilt and love to agitate my insides.
My eyes open, and I lift my gaze to the locked gun cabinet on the wall. In the dark corner, I stare at the lock as if willpower alone can open it.
But I can’t stay still and start pacing back and forth, unable to focus on anything other than the increasingly quick pace of my steps. The knowledge that Eden has been taken from me gnaws at my heart.
It threatens to drive me mad.
There’s a loud knock on the door, and I stop pacing. I told them not to disturb me. “Leave me alone!” My voice is hoarse from disuse.
“Nikolai Gennadyevich.” A familiar voice sounds. “It’s Zakhar.”
I have no desire to see or speak to him, but I have to. Ultimately, Zakhar got what he wanted, even if it wasn’t the initial plan, and the Bratva has sided with him. But he must have information on the fight against Gunsyn to be here. Gunsyn, Alexander, and Ippolit set me up. They sent me to take Eden. They pitted me against Zakhar.
And now that she’s been taken away, I hate them even more.
I unlock the door and stare at Zakhar, refusing to step aside.
