Or worse—sacrificed. Gifted to the Bratva in ceremonial exchange to keep the peace.
I don’t know exactly what happened to them before they were offered. But I can guess. The Orlovs aren’t known for mercy.
I wouldn’t have gotten any of this information if I hadn’t worked for it the way I did.
Did I disappoint Elijah and Enzo? Yes.
Did I cost men their lives? Yes.
Was it worth it? Yes.
I didn’t have many options after that night, so Elijah can slut-shame me all he wants. I don’t have any regrets.
“Are you ready?” Elijah asks after a whole three minutes of rest.
“Sure,” I reply, shoving my earbuds back in, crankingHouse of Balloonson my borrowed iPod loud enough that my skull vibrates.
We pick up the pace again, but as the bass hits and gravel crunches underfoot, I’m suddenly running like I’m in a music video instead of a hostage situation. Score one for morale.
Elijah falls into stride beside me, expression blank.
Of course.
My mind flashes back to the laughter, insults, dumb jokes about my butt bouncing in black leggings. Now? Nada. My personal tormentor doubles as a silent mood killer.
Music pounds in my ears. The bass rattles my chest. I push harder. Faster. Elijah’s shadow anchored beside me.
* * *
“It’s only eight. I’m not going to bed.” I stand outside my door as Elijah tries to force me inside.
“Look, I have shit to do with Enzo. Go to bed so I can put Leo at your door.”
“No.”
“No?”
“Yeah, no. You’re supposed to be protecting me, not bossing me around.”
We hold each other’s gaze for way too long, and I almost grab a ruler to measure whose dick is bigger.
“I’m. Not. Going. To. Bed.” I restate it in case he thinks staring me down is helping assert some dominance here.
He doesn’t reply, so I keep going, fueling his frustration. “You know, I think I’ll go for a walk instead.”
He clenches his jaw, and his hand tightens around my arm as I try to walk past him. “Fine. You can come with me, just don’t do anything stupid.”
A proper smile forms on my face for the first time in a while around him.
He’s gorgeous, and yes, there was a time when I wanted to run off into the sunset with him, but now I’d just love to see him break for me and fuck me until I can no longer walk.
Butno.
Mr. Rule Follower hasneverbeen able to give me anything.
He takes me through the central portion of the manor, keeping me close as we reach the west wing of the estate. Most of the business is done here.
“Wait here.” Elijah grabs hold of my shoulders and walks me against the wall.
