Chapter 42
Alina
Even stealing a few minutes of peace with Dominik makes shame churn in my stomach.
I can’t stop thinking about Gavriil and what will happen to him in this war that he’s determined to fight alone.
Things maybe could’ve been different if Gavriil had apologized to Dom, if he hadn’t chosen to push us away. If he had come with us.
Instead, the three of us were broken apart, and something is missing in my chest that makes me feel utterly empty.
Even while tucked in Dominik’s protective, but tense arms.
“Are you okay?” Dominik asks me before pressing a gentle kiss against my shoulder.
I look over my shoulder at him, my heart aching. I’m so glad that we’re together, but I hate that I’m still thinking about his brother. If I had things my way, I wouldn’t choose between them.
I selfishly want Dom and Gavriil—even knowing that’s impossible.
“I…I don’t think we should’ve left Gavriil,” I blurt out as I roll over to face him. “I just, I have this feeling that he’s not going to survive this war, and he knows it.”
Blowing out a breath that blows my hair, Dom says, “The odds aren’t great. But Gavriil made his choice. I made mine.”
“Me,” I reply.
Lifting one of the rubies then the other, he tells me, “Gavriil gave me a choice—challenge him for Pakhan or leave with you.”
“Dom…” I whisper.
With a small smile, he says, “I wasn’t going to kill him. We both know it. And he’ll never give up the crown…”
Before I can say another word, there’s a knock on the bedroom door, making us both tense.
“Hide,” Viktor whispers just as a beam of light sweeps across the window.
Dominik and I break apart and crouch down to hurry to the bathroom. We pull on our clothes as quickly and quietly as we can, my heartbeat thumping in my ears.
“Get in the closet,” Dominik whispers to me.
I shake my head. “I’m staying with you.”
We’re going to protect each other because he’s all that I have, and I will be damned if I lose him too.
Dominik’s jaw tightens like he’s ready to argue, but when I reach for the gun on the sink counter, he relents and motions for me to come with him. At the bedroom window, he lifts his head a little to peer out of the window, his eyes sweeping the area.
I manage to pick out a sound through the pounding of my heart. An approaching vehicle.
Someone is here.
My na?ve heart soars at the thought of Gavriil giving in and coming for us crosses my mind. But that blip of hope fizzles away the moment that I hear two car doors shut.
Dominik grabs my hand and pulls me away from the window. He pushes open the bedroom door and leads me out into the hallway, his face determined and still.
We pause at the end of the windowless hallway with Renat, Viktor, and Petrov who have their guns out and ready. Petrov looks around the wall edge, then holds up two fingers.
Dominik frowns harder, concern etched into his brow.
Fear pulses through me, but I remain steady and quiet, standing next to Dominik’s side. Beams of light sweep across the walls in rooms that we can see into as the men make their way around the property.
My heart shoots up into my throat when I hear them try to open the back door, but the handle jams from being locked. Instead of kicking down the door, the men continue around the house, faint thuds sounding as they try windows and doors.
“Why aren’t they busting in?” I whisper to Dominik, my voice threatening to shake as I wait to hear glass shatter or wood splinter.
“They don’t think anyone is here,” Dominik tells me. “An unlocked door would hint at someone being here. Someone careless and easy to attack.”
His words make sense, but my nerves don’t calm.
“Should we kill them?” I mouth to him.
Dom shakes his head. “They would send more to look for them if they go radio silent.”
I nod in understanding, thankful that Dominik’s men locked every door and window they’d found earlier.
Footsteps sound on the front porch, followed by the doorknob jiggling.
My skin heats up so much from anxiety that I’m on the verge of breaking a sweat. It would be so easy for them to bust into this old house and gun us down.
Dominik places his hand over mine like he can sense my anxiety. I wouldn’t be surprised if he could somehow hear my pounding heartbeat.
I hold my breath until I’m lightheaded, but I can’t exhale until I hear car doors open and shut again, followed by wheels rolling against asphalt.
“What were they doing here?” I whisper to Dominik as I turn to face him, my pulse thumping erratically.
Dominik shakes his head, looking uneasier than usual. “That was a scout patrol. And they had to be Irish or Armenian because Gavriil needs every man at the estate.”
I drag my fingers through my hair. Gavriil did what he thought would protect us, and we still almost got caught. If they had found us, they would’ve killed us.
He sent us away to keep us safe—and still couldn’t control the outcome.
If we ended up getting killed, he would never forgive himself. Ever.
He’d be devastated, and the thought of him punishing himself for that makes me want to run to him right now.
Part of me wants to scream at him. A bigger part wants to run straight into his arms.
Sending us away wasn’t the right move. It’s just what felt safe for him because distance is easier for him.
“I hate it, but I think we need to leave before they come back,” Dominik says as he heads to the kitchen.
“I agree,” Viktor replies. “We got lucky this time. The next scouts could barge in on us.”
“We’ll have to go on foot if they’re watching the roads,” Renat suggests.
“He’s right,” Dominik says to me. “On the roads, the SUV could be ambushed or come up on one of their roadblocks.”
My blood runs cold; my feet rooted to the spot as uncertainty paralyzes me. The thought of roaming around on foot while enemy scouts patrol the area makes me sick to my stomach.
That sounds like a death sentence. But staying here is one, too.
With a heavy sigh, my shoulders sag. “Gavriil would flip out if he knew they got so close to us…”
Dominik crosses over to me and cups my face, his lips brushing my forehead. “He did what he thought was right with limited options.”
“Well, he’s clearly not the best strategist in the family,” I mutter as I lean into his comforting hold.
I don’t blame Gavriil for this change of plans, though. Their enemies are being more careful than we expected. And that makes them even more dangerous.
Dominik cracks a grin at my remark, and the sight makes my chest flood with light. “No, he’s not. I wish he’d get that through his thick head.”
“I told him as much to his face,” I admit, feeling the tiniest flicker of pride.
Dominik pecks me on the lips, his smile turning bittersweet. “Brave girl. You’re the only person in the world who could get away with that.”
But what’s the point if he still won’t listen to me?
Frustration burns under my skin as I shake my head. “Why does he have to be so stubborn?”
Dominik sighs. “That’s a complicated answer.”
Gavriil is the definition of complicated, but instead of that nudging me away like he wants, it coaxes me closer. As close as he’ll let me.
“We need to hurry up and go before they come back. I don’t feel like dying tonight,” Renat says.
“Where we headed to, boss?” Viktor asks.
“I have an idea. It’s risky, especially if the estate falls tonight, but we can’t head to the city on foot,” Dominik explains.
“Where will we go?” I ask him in concern. Moving further away from Gavriil doesn’t feel right.
“The bunker.”
“The bunker?” Petrov repeats. “We’re going back to the estate? It could already be under attack! If our side loses…”
My stomach flip-flops.
“I know,” Dominik replies. “That’s why we need to go back. To make sure they don’t lose this war. I can’t keep hiding while my brother bleeds to protect me. Not again.”
I grab his hand, giving it a squeeze knowing he’s referring to the ordeal with his father.
“If I have to, I’ll go alone,” he says.
“I’m coming too,” I say before he can even finish his sentence.
“You two aren’t going without us,” Victor huffs. Renat and Petrov nod their agreement to come as well. “And the bunker is better than being out in the open here. I’m sure Gavriil keeps it stocked to the ceiling with ammo if nothing else.”
“You’re not wrong,” Dominik says to him. Then to me, “Do you think you can handle a two-mile trek tonight?”
“That’s nothing. I can do it,” I assure him.
“Good girl.” He kisses the top of my head. “If we’re careful, we can sneak up on any scouts. I’ll lead the way with Alina behind me,” Dominik declares. “Viktor stays on our right, Petrov on the left, and Renat watching our backs.”
“Sounds good,” Renat agrees. “Let’s pack up.”
Dominik turns to me. “Grab a change of clothes, phone, and anything you don’t want to leave behind while we pack up the food.”
“Okay,” I agree before going to grab my bag from the bedroom. Then, I head to the garage to dig through my things. The overhead light comes on to illuminate the space, so I work fast in case another patrol drives by and sees the light through the garage door window.
After packing a few more clothes, my phone, purse, and charger, I reach for one final item.
My red velvet box of keys. They’re a happy reminder of Archer.
I flip open the lid and find two new identical keys inside on top, both with red strings. It only takes me a moment to realize what lock they go to.
Gavriil’s cage.
He must have had someone put them in my things before we left the estate.
I smile as I close the lid again and tuck the box into the bottom of my duffle.
If I had any doubt before, this would’ve told me all I needed to know.
Gavriil loves me the only way he knows how. He even said the words in Russian.
It may not be the way Dominik cares for me, but it’s love all the same. His version of it.
And that makes me all the more determined to see him again.
Removing the gun from my waistband, I test the weight of it in my hand. It’s heavier than it was before, but the longer I hold it, the steadier my grip becomes.
I thought knowing that I might have to use it would make me want to toss it away, but I hold it close to my side instead.
If there’s a chance that we can stay alive, I’m going to do what I can to ensure that possibility.
Especially if there’s a chance that we’ll see Gavriil again.