Chapter 20 - Sofia
I stare at Vlad, my skin burning with a mix of confusion, anger, and yearning. If only we could make things right. If only we could go back to the past.
But it seems like something out of a novel, where he’s been working against me from the onset.
"How can we possibly make this right?" I ask, trying to keep the pain away from my voice. "When your plan all along was to marry me to control me and my mission with the Crimson Crew? To prevent me from taking care of my family?" My voice cracks at the end, every vulnerability laid bare, the betrayal I feel seeping into the air.
Vlad's dark eyes widen, a flicker of hurt passing across his chiseled features. I press on, relentless.
"I saw the photos, Vlad. It was by accident that I found them in your desk. The surveillance you had on me before we ever got married—from the day after our family party. Did you think I wouldn't find out?"
My hands clench at my sides, nails digging into my palms. I want to lash out, to make him feel as trapped and betrayed as I do. But I maintain my composure, my face a mask of cool disdain. He’s lost the privilege of learning what I feel.
Vlad takes a deep breath, his broad shoulders rising and falling. When he speaks, his voice is low, almost pleading.
"Sofia, you've misunderstood. Those photos… they were only taken that once. I just needed a record of those thugs, should they ever harm you. My intention was not to work against you.”
I scoff, crossing my arms over my chest. "Oh, please. You expect me to believe that? You, Vladimir Zolotov, spied on me just one time?"
He takes a step toward me, and I instinctively step back. The hurt in his eyes deepens, but I can't bring myself to care. I've spent too long building these walls to let them crumble now.
"It's the truth," he insists. "I would never—"
"Never what?" I interrupt, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Never spy on a woman? Never try to manipulate her into marrying you for some agenda you harbor?"
I watch as Vlad's jaw clenches, his hands flexing at his sides. Part of me wants him to lash out, to confirm my suspicions. But he doesn't. Instead, he looks at me with an intensity that makes my heart flutter traitorously in my chest.
"I'm not the enemy here, Sofia," he says softly.
For a moment, I almost believe him. Almost. But I can't afford to let my guard down, not when so much harm has already been done.
Vlad runs a hand through his dark hair, his eyes never leaving mine. "Sofia, I have never had any cause to bring harm to your family," he says, his voice steady yet earnest. "Those photos… they were taken out of concern for your safety, nothing more."
I scoff, crossing my arms tightly across my chest. "My safety?”
My gaze remains unwavering, challenging him to give me a satisfactory answer. I've spent years perfecting this mask, and I won’t let his words break me now, no matter how sincere he sounds.
Vlad takes a deep breath, his broad shoulders rising and falling. "Sofia, from the moment I met you, I—"
He steps closer, and I can smell his cologne—a mix of sandalwood and something uniquely him. It's intoxicating, but I force myself to focus.
"The truth?" Vlad's voice drops, intense and raw. “That night after the party, you left without a word, and I couldn’t shake you from my mind. There was a mystery about you I needed to unravel. My men watch over our family and alliances—you were part of that through my sister and your brother. At first, it was curiosity, but then I saw a woman who was clearly involved in something dangerous. I didn't know what, but I couldn't stand by and do nothing. I was worried you’d get in trouble and bring it to our doorstep.”
My breath catches in my throat at his words, the vulnerability and honesty in his eyes making it harder to maintain the I-don’t-give-a-fuck vibe I’m going for. The anger I've carried for so long feels like a heavy cloak, one that suddenly becomes too burdensome to bear.
"I… I didn't know, Vlad." The words slip out before I can stop them, the walls around my heart cracking under the weight of his confession. "I thought you were working against me."
Vlad's eyes soften, a vulnerability I've never seen before etching itself across his features. "Sofia. I would never think of working against you. Why would I? Your brother is family to us.”
His words catch me off guard, and I feel my carefully constructed walls begin to waver.
"Listen," he continues, his voice low and earnest. "When I saw you with these dangerous guys, I wanted to protect you. At the same time, I didn’t want to close any doors on what we could share. I had two choices to keep you safe. I could either go to your brothers with information of your involvement with these thugs, which would have meant you’d never speak to me again. Or, I could watch over you. The only way I saw to do that was to ask for your hand."
I feel my resolve weakening, the warmth of his words seeping through the cracks in my armor. My eyes search his face for any sign of deception, but I find only sincerity.
"I…" I start, then pause, unsure of what to say. For once in my life, I'm at a loss for words. The usual sassy retort I'd usually have ready dies on my lips.
Inside, a war rages. The part of me that's been hurt, that's learned to keep everyone at arm's length, screams to push him away. But another part, a part I've kept buried for so long, yearns to believe him.
"I swear it’s the truth, Sof," Vlad tries to convince me still, taking another step closer. "I know you don't trust easily, Sofia. But I'm asking you to try."
I take a deep breath, my posture relaxing slightly. "You're right," I admit softly. "I don't trust easily. But… maybe I've been too quick to judge you."
Vlad's eyes light up with a mix of relief and sheer, unbridled joy. He runs a hand through his dark hair, his voice taking on a more earnest tone. "I want you to know, Sofia, that I didn't just sit idly by while we were apart. I continued your work."
My eyebrows shoot up in surprise. "What do you mean?"
"The Crimson Crew, the gangsters you were after," he explains, his voice low and intense. "My man and I dismantled their entire operation. I used my connections, my resources. I made sure they couldn't hurt anyone else we care about, especially not the Orlovs."
I feel my jaw drop slightly, my mind reeling. "You… you did that?"
Vlad nods, his gaze never leaving mine. "Every last one of them is either behind bars or out of business or been run out of town. I couldn't let your mission go unfinished."
I cross my arms, shock overlapping my senses. All this time, I thought he didn’t care. But he was out there, finishing my work, keeping my family safe. I feel a lump start to form in my throat, a small sliver of guilt defending him against my harsh judgment.
"Why would you do that?" My voice cracks as I try to hold back the wave of sentiments raging over me.
"Because it mattered to you," he says simply. "And that made it matter to me. Because you’re family, and your family is mine to protect."
I uncross my arms, my hands falling to my sides. The anger that's been fueling me is completely dissipated, replaced by a complicated flurry of emotions—admiration, gratitude, and remorse, all mixed together. "I don't know what to say," I admit, my voice barely above a whisper.
Vlad takes another step closer, close enough that I can feel the warmth radiating from him. "You don't have to say anything. I just want you to understand that I'm on your side, Sofia. Always."
I look up at him, really look at him for the first time—not as an enemy, not as a threat, but as someone who might actually care about me. The realization hits me like a ton of bricks, and I feel my walls crumbling.
"I… I think I'm starting to," I say softly, and a small tear comes to my mind.
Vlad's eyes light up at my words, then droop at the sight of my tears. He’s by my side within seconds, enveloping me in his strong arms as I nestle my face into his neck. His smell comforts me and his arms ground me.
“Don’t think I’ve forgiven you just yet,” I quip, just to lighten the mood, and he laughs, pulling back. I wipe away my tears, and he has a small smile on his lips.
"There's one more thing," he says mischievously. "I've bought this private plane. It's yours to use whenever you want, wherever you want to go. Here’s the paperwork."
He hands me the envelope.
Opening it, I find the documents for the private plane he mentioned, along with a set of keys.
My gaze flicks from the papers to him, a myriad of unspoken questions reflecting in my eyes.
"I don't understand," I whisper, looking up at him in shock. "Why would you do this?"
Vlad nods, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Because I care for you, Sofia, more than you know. I want you to have the freedom to go wherever your heart desires, with no restrictions. I want you to be free to choose your own path. I never want you to feel trapped or controlled.”
I'm taken aback by his gesture, by the thoughtfulness behind it. It's not something I expected from him, not after everything that has transpired between us. And yet, here he is, offering me not just protection but also a sense of liberation.
The realization hits me like a tidal wave. All this time, I've been so focused on seeing him as the enemy, on keeping my walls up, that I've completely missed what was right in front of me. Vlad cares. He actually cares.
I feel the ice around my heart starting to melt, replaced by a warmth I haven't allowed myself to feel for a man ever. "Vlad, I…" I trail off, not quite sure how to express the conflicting emotions swirling inside me.
He doesn't push; he just stands there patiently, waiting for me to process everything. And in that moment, I see him not as the man working against me, but as a man who's laid his heart bare before me.
"Thank you," I whisper, my voice barely audible as if afraid that speaking too loudly would shatter this fragile moment we're sharing.
I take a step closer to Vlad, my voice softening as I meet his gaze. "I… I appreciate everything you've done. For me, for my family, for my desire to dismantle the Crimson Crew." My heart leaps at the understanding that this could, in fact, be the fresh start Vlad so desires. I so desire. "Maybe we can… move forward together?"
Vlad's eyes light up, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I'd like that very much, Sofia."
The air between us shifts, charged with a new energy. I find myself drawn to him, my heart racing as I close the distance. "I've been so wrong about you," I admit, my voice barely above a whisper.
He reaches out, his hand hovering near my cheek, asking permission. I nod slightly, and his warm palm cups my face. "We both made assumptions," he murmurs. "But now we have a chance to start over."
I lean into his touch, surprised by how natural it feels. Our eyes lock, and I see our life flashing by in his eyes: a future, a real, solid future together. It's as if I'm truly seeing Vlad for the first time—as someone I owe my loyalty to.
"I never thought I'd say this," I breathe, a hint of my usual sass returning, "but I'm glad I was wrong about you, Vlad."
His thumb caresses my cheek, sending shivers down my spine. "And I'm grateful for the chance to prove myself to you, my love."
In this moment, with the walls between us crumbling, I realize that what we have is deeper than mere attraction. It's steeped in trust and security I never expected to find.
I take a step back, breaking the intensity of the moment with a playful smirk. "Well, Mr. Bratva, if we're going to do this…" I gesture between us, "I have one condition."
Vlad's eyebrow quirks up, curiosity dancing in his eyes. "Oh? And what might that be, Crimson?"
I roll my eyes at the novel pet name but can't suppress the smile tugging at my lips. "Our next date? I choose the location."
"Is that so?" Vlad's lips twitch with amusement.
"Mhmm," I nod, crossing my arms. "And it won't be anything like…" I wave my hand at our opulent surroundings, "all this. No private jets, no five-star restaurants. I'm thinking more along the lines of a greasy spoon diner or maybe a run-down arcade."
Vlad's rich laughter fills the room. "You drive a hard bargain, Sofia. But I accept."
"Good," I say, unable to keep the warmth from my voice. "Because I have a feeling you could use a little less caviar and a little more pizza in your life."
He reaches for my hand, intertwining our fingers. "As long as I'm with you, Crimson, I'll go anywhere."
I feel a blush creeping up my neck and quickly quip, "Even if it means trading in your designer suit for jeans and a t-shirt?"
"For you? I'd wear a clown costume if it made you happy."
I can't help but laugh at the mental image, and take his hand in mine. "Now that, I'd pay to see."