Chapter 46
Mariya's confession
I ran my hands through my hair for the hundredth time.
"I can't do this." My hands becoming clammy every time my mind wandered to that man.
I could feel his slap on my face trace the outline where his palm left prints.
My skin crawled with the image of his right hand man.
His wondering hands a reminder of how many women he has had his way with.
Whatever happened I had to expose them. Besides Ivan would never let anything happen to me.
A knock on the door brought me back to reality. Ivan's right hand man coming in. His eyes fell on me, through the mirror I could see the pained expression. Our eyes met and I turned away from the dressing table to face him directly.
"Are you ready?" He asked softly. I wanted to say no, I needed more time.
"Yes," I said instead.
"You know you do not have to lie to me Mariya. Just say the word if you are not ready no one would force you to do anything," his words a comfort to me.
"I can see the way you are shaking. Mariya, I am here to keep you safe. If you want to disappear forever I can make that happen too. I know Ivan would understand," he assured.
I was inclined to tell him more. To let him know how ruthless the prime minister could be. What Cobby had done, the girls they trafficked and sold to brothels.
"Did Ivan receive the box I sent him?" I asked instead.
"Yes," he answered uneasy.
"Do you think after all this is over he can help me find my mother. That is the only thing I had that belonged to her. I do not know much about my father but I'm sure once we find her we will know everything."
"Worry not once Ivan gets back from his trip he will let you know what he found out. In the meantime someone is here to see you."
"Rosa!" I jumped out of my seat into her embrace. Before I could thank him he left us shutting the door behind him.
"Marie I really thought I would never see you again. Your father came home and asked my parents when we last saw each other. He then threatened me saying not to confess to the authorities that his bodyguard took you... I really wanted to keep quiet but that...detective...
he was really nice promised he wouldn't reveal who I was. He would get to the bottom of it and save you... I'm really sorry Marie I told detective Williams everything," she rumbled tears falling from her eyes.
"Rosa shhh it's really okay. Everything turned out great. The detective came for me and he handed me over to Ivan. Don't cry you did well," I said rubbing her back.
She hiccuped her sadness washing over me.
How many days and nights had I counted waiting for the day I would be in her arms again.
Rosa had always been my guiding light ever since we met.
She helped me survive that abusive man's house.
For her I would confess if not for myself. Her being alive and well meant I needed to put that man behind bars before he kidnapped her to lure me out. For her I had to.
We sat in the car that was driving us to the press conference the prime minister was having. He was addressing the injustices his daughter must be facing under the abduction of Ivan Bratan.
"How incredulous," I snared reading the headlines online.
Rosa's hand laced with mine.
"Are you okay," her voice gentle. After the reunion we had in my bedroom floor with tears everywhere I did not want her to worry.
"Yes. I am well," I reassured giving her hand a gentle squeeze. She laid her head on my shoulder willing herself to sleep. Ramon with another man whose name I couldn't remember sat at the front. We had three fleets following behind. Ramon had said it was for my protection.
" We will be there in two hours. You should try and get some rest too. You will need it," Ramon mentioned.
His eyes watching me through the rearview mirror.
"Have they arrested him?" I questioned. His stare grim his eyes getting back to the road.
"I watch the news to Ramon, I know they are after Ivan. He is being framed for the kidnapping," I probed. He cursed, his hands on the steering tightening.
"Don't worry about Ivan he is fine. He has some business to attend to he will be with us soon," he replied.
"If I wasn't ready to confess everything what would have happened to Ivan?" My throat tightened as the question left my mouth.
This time he turned his head and looked at me directly.
" We would have found another way. I meant it when I said no one would force you to do or say anything you do not want Mariya. Even right now, just say the word and I will turn this car and take you anywhere you want to go."
His words unraveled a big ache in my chest. I didn't realize when or how but the tears finally broke. Silently I wept. He did not say anything but instead his eyes went back to the road and the car started slowing down.
He really meant it.
"Why are you so kind to me?"
"We are family Mariya. We always take care of our own," he answered resolute.
" Don't stop the car. I gave you my word and I will not go back on it. I must get justice for all the innocent souls he harmed. I must get justice for myself and if Ivan considers me as family I must get justice for him too," I said decisive.
I could have sworn I saw him wipe a stray tear from his eyes.
I would never let them arrest Ivan unjustly.
He was my benefactor. He and his men respected me and treated me like family.
Yet the man who raised me would allow his filthy men to look at me inappropriately and if it suited him he would have let Cobby...
No I wouldn't think such thoughts. I would make sure he rotted behind bars for eternity.
I wouldn't care what mother would think she let him hit me while she watched.
Besides I was adopted they never treated me as their own.
I was just a keepsake for him to maintain his image as a prime minister.
A man with a kind heart adopts a little girl from Russia. Classic.
I was not a little girl anymore. He would soon find out.