Page 29 of Savage Pakhan

I’m able to lower the brightness of the light by turning the knob to a dull, barely-there glow, like a candlelight flickering all alone in a dark room.

Immediately, the burning stops in my eyes and stare at myself in the mirror, a habit I’m all too familiar with.

I grab the counter and my bottom lip trembles. The ache in my chest from the CPR compressions reminds me that I died today. The old bruises show on my arms, neck, and face. The lake water washed all the coverup makeup off and I’m shown the reasons why I saved myself today.

It’s over.

My nightmare is finally over.

Blood is dried on my forehead where I smacked it against the wheel. My entire body quakes from the trauma, the shock of everything that’s happened today and my knees buckle.

I hit the floor, resting my back against the cabinets as the biggest cries leaves the prison in my soul where I’ve kept all my pain. Every sob hurts my chest. Alek saved my life and I’m reminded with every sob that escapes me.

I can’t believe I survived.

All the years of torment and abuse has finally come to an end. I can’t believe I risked my life to get away from Ivan. I can’t believe Alek is with me. I can’t believe I’m at his safehouse.

I made it.

I made it out alive and I have no plan on what to do next. I always figured if I found a way to leave the Bykov family, I would figure everything else out later.

Maybe later hasn’t arrived yet since I’m with Alek. I have no doubt he’ll help me get where I want or need to be. He’s stayed by my side this far. He won’t let me drown again.

A knock at the door startles me and I don’t bother wiping away the tears on my cheeks.

Alek is standing in the doorway, his shirt tight across his chest and messily untucked from his pants. It’s still shows the horror of the day, stained with blood and dirt. His sleeves are still rolled to his elbows, showcasing strong forearms and tattoos.

I don’t say anything. There’s nothing that needs to be said. I wrap my arms around my legs and pull them to my chest, turning my head away so he can’t see me cry.

He walks to the shower, reaching an arm inside to turn the shower on. The spray struggles for a few seconds since it hasn’t been turned on in a while. After a few coughs from the showerhead, water flows freely and steam billows to the ceiling.

Alek offers me his hand to help me up but I don’t move. I don’t have it in me. I’m done. I’m exhausted. I can’t stand. Ivan is in my mind, his threats yelling at me even though he isn’t here. I can almost feel the heat of his palm across my cheek.

If he were to find me now, he’d kill me. Humiliating him at the altar by leaving him there? Stealing his car? He’d lock me in the basement, torture me, spend days if not weeks breaking my spirit before he finally put a bullet in my head.

I’m scared.

Am I free? As long as I’m with Alek, maybe I’m not. Ivan will know where to find him, right?

My eyes dart around for an exit. There’s only a window and Alek steps in front of my vision, blocking my plan of escape. He squats down and slides those calloused fingers under my chin, making me look at him.

His shirt is still unbuttoned, showcasing the outline of his muscular pecs. I look away, knowing I shouldn’t even be thinking like that when I’m still in danger of Ivan. I need to get away. Staying here is too dangerous.

“I know you’re afraid,” Alek’s deep voice booms off the walls even though he’s speaking so softly, his accent wrapping around me like the warmth of hot water. “And I know it’s been a hell of a day fighting for your life. It’s okay to cry, Lyubimaya. You have been through something horrific.”

“What if he finds me here?” I whisper, brushing my wet cheek across the tulle covering my knees. “I’m not safe. I have to keep going. I have to keep running.”

He tilts his head, his eyes softening in understanding, and those mossy green eyes make it so easily to trust him.

“He doesn’t know about this safehouse, Mia. He won’t be able to find you here. He’ll try to find you. I know that much, but he won’t find you here, and if he did, I’d protect you. You have my word.”

“But he’s your son,” I counter argue.

He dips down, bringing his face closer. “I don’t care. He is no son of mine to do what he has done to you. I promise, I will protect you with my life. Come on, let’s get you in the shower. You’ll feel better.”

“I don’t think I can,” I cry, shaking my head and hiding my face between my knees. “I can’t stand. I’m so tired, Alek. My entire body is shaking. I have nothing left to give today.”

His fingers run through my hair, then ghost down my jaw. “That’s okay. You don’t need to do anything. I’ll take care of you.” Alek stands and holds out his hand. “Get to your feet. Don’t let him take another ounce from you, Mia. Don’t let him win anymore. He doesn’t deserve you.”