Page 93 of Bought By the Ruthless Pakhan

"Ivan," I said softly, fingers brushing his sharp nose. "Tell me. What happened? Why did you have to bring me here?"

He opened his eyes and looked at me. A thousand words seemed to live in those depths, but he said nothing.

I didn't know what he was afraid of.

He'd always been invincible in my mind. I'd forgotten he could bleed too. That things could weigh on him.

I looked at him. The anger I'd felt at being trapped seemed to drain away with that pool of blood.

"Anna, will you just stay here for a while?"

Still no explanation. But I heard the plea in his voice.

Faced with that, I couldn't refuse. I nodded and buried my face in the crook of his neck. "Okay. But you have to bring Alex back."

Maybe when he trusted me enough, he'd tell me why. All I had to do was wait.

Ivan tightened his arms and held me closer. "Of course. He's our son."

Chapter Twenty-Four

Ivan & Anna

Ivan

Anna promised she wouldn't leave.

I knew it. My kitten always understood.

Even when she had questions, she wouldn't put me in a difficult position. So the moment I showed vulnerability, she surrendered.

Foolish kitten. Too easy to read, too soft-hearted.

That's exactly why I couldn't tell her who I really was. I was terrified she'd be scared. Terrified she'd run.

After all, the underworld and the legitimate world exist on opposite sides of the line.

Her world had always been clean. The only darkness was that bastard of a father. So I'd do everything in my power to keep her safe.

All that filth—I'd carry it alone.

"I'm going to pick up Alex."

I got up and went to the closet, pulled out a few outfits, and held them up to the mirror. "Which one looks better?"

She tilted her head, confused. "You've already met. Does it need to be so formal?"

Of course it did.

Anna didn't know—I was planning to tell Alex the truth. I'd waited too long to hear that word. "Dad."

"You don't understand."

Anna huffed, but still picked out the one she liked best.

I changed into her choice, walked over and pinched the soft flesh at her waist.

"Wait for me."