But I held onto Alek, part of me convinced that if I let go, Jules would kill him. I had always thought Jules might murder the first guy I brought home, but that was a joke. I never dreamed it would bereal, that my big brother was the type of person to attack people so viciously without a second thought.
I was twelve when my sister died in my arms. Liza was eight. It was a car accident, but a purposeful one. I don’t think she was supposed to be the casualty. I think I was.
A broken sob slipped past my lips. I looked first at Alek, then at Jules. “The car accident your sister died in,” I whispered. “That was seventeen years ago.”
I watched as Alek shuttered away his emotions, stifled his grief and pain, shoving both in a box just like I did with mine. “I know, solnyshka. The thought has crossed my mind already.”
“I was in the other car.” My lower lip trembled. “It was my fault. I killed your sister.”
Alek cupped my cheek. And though I could tell the next words pained him to say, he murmured, “It’s not your fault, Evangeline. You were a child.”
“So was Liza.”
“I don’t blame you.” Alek swallowed. “Truly. I don’t. It… It is hard to think about. But my sister would have forgiven you in an instant. I know she would have, so I do too. And I wouldn’t change anything that happened. Because my life, though filled with darkness, has led me to you and your light.”
I opened my mouth to say something, but was interrupted by a scoffing sound. It was Jules. “You can’t tell me you believe this shit, Annie.”
“W-What?”
Jules stood, aiming his gun at Alek once more. Alek followed suit, this time holding me to his body, his heart steady from where I pressed into his side. Maybe I should have been more worried about the two weapons, but all I could think about was Alek. I needed to hold him, to touch him, and remind myself of his words.
I wouldn’t change anything that happened. Because my life, though filled with darkness, has led me to you and your light.
I was his light in the darkness. And, in a way, he was mine, too.
“I consider myself to be a reasonable man. Maybe not alikableman, but a reasonable one. And since I promised my sister I’d behave, I will let you walk out of here uninjured. As long as you vow to never come back.”
“Jules!” I gasped.
“No,” Alek said. “I’m not leaving Eva.”
“You will leave here one way or another.” Jules clicked his gun again. “Dead or alive, Reaper. Your choice.”
“No!” I cried out, holding Alek tighter, burying myself in his familiar scent, in the feeling of his suit jacket against my silent tears. “Jules, you can’t do this. I… I love him.”
Alek stiffened for a moment before his hand found my waist and squeezed once. It wasn’t exactly a declaration of love back, but I didn’t want one right now. All I wanted was for Alek to be okay, for us to be together like a normal couple.
I was beginning to think normal wasn’t possible as far as Aleksandr Drakov was concerned.
Jules scoffed. “Do you truly believe he loves you back? Are you that gullible, Annie?”
I flinched, and Jules noticed it immediately, guilt flooding his face. But the first one to react was Alek, who grabbed my waist and tucked me into him before firing his gun. I screamed as a bullet shattered a vase right next to Jules.
“If you fucking talk to her like that any more,” Alek said darkly, “I will not hesitate to shoot again. And I won’t fucking miss.”
“Alek, no,” I said, but my reply was weak, my heart still wounded. I looked at Jules, feeling my eyes fill with tears again, blurring my vision. “You promised. You promised me you would try, Jules. Youpromised.”
"Not him. You can date whoever you want, Annie, but not him."
Normally, I might have gaped at Jules. Anyone I wanted was a freedom I’d never been granted before.
But Jules didn’t understand. The only one I wanted was Alek.
I shook my head. “No. I want Alek. No one else.”
Alek’s grip on me tightened. He bent down to kiss my forehead, but I knew his eyes were still locked on Jules. His lips curved against my temple. He was no doubt smirking victoriously at my brother. “And you shall have only me, solnyshka.”
“Annie, he doesn’t want you for the right reasons. I’ve been watching him for a long time, much longer than I’ve cared to. He doesn’t think of storybook endings like that—doesn’t care about marriage or families. Aleksandr Drakov doesn’t care about anyone. Not the strippers he sticks his dick into, not his underlings, not his family, and not you. This is another one of his fucking games to get ahead, and I will not let you be a part of them.”
