Page 98 of Savage Pakhan

“You stopped being my son long before I found out just how rotten you are. Nikolai—” Alek stands. “Take him to the dungeon. Take Mr. Roswell too. Maybe spends days and nights in darkness will make them beg for death once they are locked in there with their own demons. And even then,” Alek bends down and smiles at Ivan, patting his son’s cheek. “I’ll make sure you don’t die because you’ll die on my time. Those are the rules.”

Alek straights with a roll of his shoulders, his eyes falling on the men who follow him. “And anyone who disagrees should leave now. I don’t have room in my life weakness like this.”

“Papa, please. I’m your son! You can’t kill me. You don’t have the fucking heart. You’re a weak man! You don’t know how to run this business! You need me!” Ivan cries, begging like I did over the years for mercy.

“You can beg all you want, Ivan. You know the rules.”

“Fuck the rules! Promise me. Help me. Papa, please—” Ivan sobs, hooking his arms around Alek’s left leg.

“The only promises I make are to Mia.” Alek shoves Ivan off him and Nikolai steps over my father, snagging Ivan by the arm to drag him to the dungeon.

Wherever that is.

Ivan’s yells and pleas for mercy get further and further away until they vanish.

Finally.

I’m free.

EPILOGUE

MIA

It’s been an entire week since we have been home, and I still haven’t told Alek about the pregnancy. I’m nervous and I have no reason to be.

Alek has protected me in ways no one ever has before. My mom was paid the sum the Roswell’s were promised for me marrying into the Bykov family. My father is still being held in the dungeon and Alek won’t tell me where it is.

All I do know is that it is underground, but not right under the house, which brings me relief. I don’t think I would have liked living above a dungeon where people are crying for help.

Now, the week of being married to Alek is a dream come true. I haven’t had to fight for anything. I’ve been able to relax and finally read again. Alek created my own personal library where Ivan’s room used to be. Ivan didn’t allow me to read.

And now, I have shelves that reach the ceiling, and Alek even buys books for me. He even created a stamp that goes on the first page, and it says, “Mia’s Library.” My favorite lounge chair is here where I read and nap and read and nap.

It’s a beautiful never-ending cycle.

I’m living the life Alek promised and now it’s my turn to make sure I never break a promise again.

I can’t believe I’ve kept it from him for so long. There’s a part of me that feels like he isn’t ready. He just put his son in a dungeon to go insane in darkness for the rest of his life before Alek chooses to finally end his life.

What if he doesn’t want to be a father again?

“Lyubimaya?”

I blink out of my thoughts and fears when I hear his voice. I didn’t even hear him come into the library.

“Where did you go? Are you sure you’re okay? You’ve been in dazes all week.” His knuckles stroke my left cheek. “Are you feeling okay? I’ll get the doctor.”

This is it. This is the moment. I wanted something more elaborate and special, but I can’t wait another die when I’ve been keeping this from him for so long.

At least, I got a gift to announce it.

I reach under the lounge chair and pull out a small gift bag. There’s nothing on it or the tissue paper that will give away what’s inside.

“Is it my birthday?” He smiles, pinching the tissue paper between his fingers.

“No, but you deserve gifts too.” I cross my legs to get more comfortable.

“You didn’t have to do that, Mia. I have everything I could ever want.”