Radimir closes his eyes. "Yes."
"And you're holding this woman?"
"Yes." There's a long pause.
"Then give her back. Immediately."
"I can't do that."
"Excuse me?" The presidents voice rises. "You can't? Radimir, he just killed fifteen government officials on live television. He's threatening to blow up half the country. The entire world is watching us right now and we look like we can'tcontrol our own criminals. You will give her back or I will send the military to your estate and take her by force."
"She's my daughter," Radimir chokes out.
"I don't care if she is the Virgin Mary," the president replies. "If she is not in a car and moving toward him in twenty four hours, I will declare your estate a terrorist compound and I will level it. Do you understand? I will kill every single person in that house." Radimir closes his eyes. A tear leaks out, tracking through the lines of his face.
"Radimir?"
"I understand," he whispers. The line goes dead and No one moves. I just sit there, staring at the phone, my entire body shaking. Two hundred twenty people. Two hundred twenty people are dead. And it's my fault. I don't need to be told. I stand up, and move on shaky legs towards where Radimir is slouched.
"I'll go," I say. My voice sounds hollow.
"No," Radimir rasps, stepping toward me. "No, Iris, I can't..."
"Look at the screen, Dad!" I scream, pointing at the burning building, the bodies. "He's killing them. He's committing genocide because of me. If I stay, he kills everyone. Including you."
Radimir grabs my shoulders, his grip bruising. "He will destroy you. If you go back to him now... after this... he will never let you see the sun again."
"I know," I whisper, looking up at the father I have just found and am about to lose. "But at least you'll be alive to miss me."
I pull away from his grip. I look at Roman. "Call him," I say. "Tell him I'm coming home." Roman stares at me for a longmoment. Then he pulls out his phone. Radimir sinks into the chair behind him, his face buried in his hands. And just like that, it's done. I'm going back to Ilay.
Back to the man who has just threatened to kill an entire country. For me.
Chapter 30
?
IRIS
I drag myself out of bed with limbs that feel like lead because the weight of what I have to do is pressing down on my chest until I can barely breathe. I move to the bathroom and splash cold water on my face, trying to scrub away the image of the burning building on the news, but the horror is branded behind my eyelids. I dress in silence, pulling on fresh clothes with trembling hands, and every button I fasten feels like I am sealing my fate.
I have to go back. I have to face the monster I fell in love with before he burns the rest of the world to ash just to find me.
I just wanted a little bit of time with my family before going to see him. But as usual he’s unreasonable.
I descend the grand staircase with my heart hammering against my ribs, finding Roman and Radimir waiting in the foyer like statues. They both look up the moment my foot touches the marble floor, and the hope in Radimir's eyes is so painful I have to look away.
"I am going to him," I announce, my voice sounding steadier than I feel. "I have to stop this before more people die." Radimir takes a step forward with his hand outstretched. "Iris, no. It is suicide. He is unstable."
"He is unstable because of me," I counter, lifting my chin. "I am the only one who can talk him down." I walk toward the heavy front doors, but Roman steps into my path, blocking my exit with his broad frame and crossed arms. "Move, Roman," I say.
"No," he replies simply. "I am not letting you walk into the lion's den alone."
"I don't need a bodyguard," I argue, though my hands are shaking at my sides. "I need to go alone so he knows I am not being coerced." Roman shakes his head and pulls a set of car keys from his pocket, dangling them from his finger with a dark smirk.
"You are not going alone, little sister," he says, his tone leaving no room for argument. "I will be driving. If that maniac decides to blow up the car, I figure we might as well go out as a family."
I want to argue, but I look at the set of his jaw and know it is a losing battle. "Fine. But you stay in the car when we get there."
