Was that really Gavriil baring his soul to me or just an attempt to sate his jealousy and try to outdo his brother?
I doubt I’ll ever find out.
Before I can get too excited about being all by myself outside of a cage or a cell, Valentin enters the room and jerks his chin toward the cage, guarding the door with his body.
I narrow my eyes a degree as I peer at him, wondering if I could possibly take him or not. Then, I would have to run all the way downstairs, evade the guards in the house and on the grounds, and find somewhere in the world to hide. I’d live the exact same life I grew up living, but I would be all alone this time without Archer.
Just the thought exhausts me, and the guilt of leaving Dominik behind would eat me alive.
No, I have to stay and convince Gavriil to release Dominik. Then convince Dominik not to kill his brother.
Those are two heavy burdens being placed on my narrow shoulders.
And Gavriil is complicating things by getting drunk, kissing me, and practically slapping his heart onto his sleeve.
Did telling him I only want Dom hurt him? Is that why he stormed out?
Part of me hopes so.
I’m supposed to hate Gavriil, not feel sorry for him.
And I certainly shouldn’t feel bad about hurting the megalomaniac’s feelings.
Except I do.
Gavriil opened up to me, something he probably doesn’t do very often, if ever.
So why me?
With a huff, I walk into the cage and drop down onto my mattress, not looking forward to sleeping all by myself tonight. But after what just happened, I doubt my mind will quiet down enough to let me fall asleep any time soon.
My bottom lip slips between my teeth as the taste of vodka lingers on my tongue. That was the first time we kissed, and it wasn’t anything like I expected.
Dominik holds me and kisses me sweetly but possessively, like he never wants to let me go.
It felt like Gavriil was trying to completely consume me, so no one but him could ever have me.
The kiss shouldn’t matter to me, especially if it meant nothing to Gavriil.
Except, I think it did. More than he would ever admit.
It felt like the beginning of something neither of us would ever outrun.
Somehow, I believe I’ve become one of thePakhan’s rare weaknesses.
And I’ve never felt more powerful in my life.
29
Dominik
“Boss?”
“Fuck, it’s good to hear your voices again.”
Relief floods my chest as my men speak on either side of me. Days of blindfolds and earplugs, of silence, finally break.
Gavriil’s psychological torture bullshit has scraped all of us raw, but maybe he’s finally bored with it. He has more pressing things to focus on rather than tormenting us and trying to take my girl away from me.
