Page 79 of Savage Pakhan

She’s crying.

“Mia, My Love,” I croon, tugging her against my side. “No tears. It is good news.”

“Or another Bykov can step in to take on the responsibility of going forth with the agreement,” Nikolai chuffs in disbelief. “You made that rule, didn’t you?”

“Of course, I did,” I mumble. “Maybe I wasn’t as far gone as I thought I was.”

“You were,” Nikolai corrects me. “But you have always had that sliver of humanity that many decide not to keep. It’s how you all have been. My family wouldn’t have stayed so loyal to work with the Bykovs if it weren’t for that sliver of humanity.”

“Thank you,” I say in our native language, hoping he can’t hear the emotion in clogging my throat.

“Da.”

Mia finishes her coffee and squeezes my hand. “Does this mean that we get to be together?”

I cup the nook between her neck and shoulder, smiling so wide, my eyes squint. “Da, Mia. We get to be together. You’re going to marry me and there won’t be anything Ivan can do about it.”

“I’m free?” She covers her mouth as emotion overcomes her.

Her shoulders shake with every hard coil that rolls through her. Tears drench her cheeks as if a storm is raging through her body. It’s the relief. It’s the trauma setting itself free. She no longer has to walk on eggshells or watch what she says. She’ll never be taken advantage of again.

“Well, you’re trapped with me, if you want to call that free,” I joke, wanting her to smile so the tears stop.

I hate it when my love cries.

She giggles, then throws herself at me, her arms wrapping around my neck. I embrace her in return, hold her tight, and press my face into her neck.

“I’m never going to let you go.”

I promise.

19

MIA

It’s been a few weeks since learning about the contract and I’ve never been happier. Alek and I have been hiding away at the cabin, living the best life. It’s been quiet and peaceful.

I almost can’t believe this is my life. I know this can’t last. Peace never can, but we are soaking up every second we can.

“Have you heard from Nikolai?” I ask, lying on his chest as we cuddle on the swing that overlooks the woods.

“Oh, that’s good.” I blow out a breath, listening to the birds chirp from the trees. “Does he usually go that long without checking in?”

Alek shakes his head. “No, but this isn’t a usual situation. He said Ivan is on high alert. He didn’t seem to care about the bodies or the message I left for him. Nikolai said he is getting more security, and they’re going to start doing area sweeps to see if they can find you.”

“Us,” I correct him, lifting my head from his chest to look at him. “Not just me.”

He gives me a small smile, brushing his thumb across my lips. “Just you. He doesn’t care about me. He will kill me if it means getting to you.”

“Then we need a plan,” I say. “Don’t you think it’s a matter of time before he finds out you have this cabin? And what about Nikolai? Is he safe? Ivan has to know Nikolai knows where you are.”

Alek agrees with a slow nod. “Nikolai isn’t there with Ivan. He is on the outside looking in, keeping tabs to feed me information. Ivan doesn’t know where to find Nikolai but I do agree with you, it’s only a matter of time before he turns over every rock to find this cabin. We are on borrowed time.”

My heart pounds with fear and I squeeze my arms around his waist, needing something to support me. None of this feels real. This life, my entire life, feels like it belongs to someone else.

The only decision I’ve ever made for myself is leaving Ivan at that altar. I’d do it again in every life too if it means getting to be next to the man I’ve always wanted.

“What do we do? Where do we go?”