Chapter 33
CHAPTER
THIRTY-THREE
ALYONA
The sun is high in the sky, casting its bright rays over the vineyards as Kira and I navigate our way through the rows of grapevines. The leaves rustle gently in the midday breeze, their shadows dancing on the warm, earthy path beneath our feet.
As beautiful as it is here, neither of us can muster much enthusiasm for our midday walk.
It’s been two days since Belov revealed he is my father, and it’s taken me nearly that long to process everything. To pick through my thoughts, wrestle with the sadness, with the lies. I’ve mourned Papa all over again, raged at my mother, then mourned her, too.
But mostly, I’ve mourned Leo and what we could have been.
I was conflicted about our future together—if we even had one—but now that the choice has been taken from me, it feels like I can’t breathe.
Because to keep Leo alive, I must convince him that I want to be in Belov’s world.
That this is my choice. If he believes otherwise, he’ll die fighting for my freedom.
Kira is the only person who will ever know the truth.
And that’s only because it’s impossible to keep it from her.
She was as stunned as I was to learn it’s Maxim Belov who is not only holding us captive but also my father.
After the shock wore off, she moved on to outrage, prepared to fight him in any way necessary.
But there is no fighting a force as powerful as Belov. I’ve let her know she can’t risk her life. This is my burden to bear.
“Let’s sit,” Kira says, pointing to an ancient oak tree on the edge of the vineyard. “I’m getting hot.”
I settle beside her, our backs against the tree trunk. Despite Belov’s noticeable absence these past few days, we’re both tense, waiting for him to summon me.
Sure, we’re treated like esteemed guests here. If it weren’t for the heavily armed guards patrolling the vicinity, we could almost be fooled into believing this place was some sort of luxury resort. Almost.
“Alright, new idea.” Kira turns to face me, her cheeks flushed from our walk in the sun. We’ve been playing this game for days. It’s called 100 Ways to Kill Belov. So far, we have seventy-nine. “You poison his food. Easy. Everyone will think he died of a heart attack.”
I smile, letting my head rest against the tree behind me. “I’d probably screw it up and poison myself, too.”
She stretches her legs out in front of her, staring off into the distance. “Okay, how about this? You get close to him, earn his trust, and then start feeding him misinformation. You create enough chaos that his empire crumbles from within, and he’s left powerless.”
I laugh. “Sounds complicated. I’d much rather push him off a tall building. Although I doubt he goes anywhere without guards.” I throw my arm around Kira. “You’re full of good ideas.”
Kira shrugs. “I wish I was. Then at least I could get you out of here.”
The sweet scent of ripening grapes fills the air, and a gentle breeze brushes against my skin. I always thought of Russia as a harsh and cold place, but it’s beautiful here. Could I get used to a life by Belov’s side? He is my father, even if he’s a power-crazed psychopath.
“Maybe it’s for the best,” I blurt. Kira’s head snaps my way.
“Having my future laid out for me. A destiny. Even if it’s not what I want, it’s not like my life was so great …
” My chest tightens; being with Leo on the yacht, no matter how brief, gave me a glimpse of happiness.
It was everything I ever wanted. Until it all came crashing down.
“Don’t say that,” Kira responds, her mouth turning downward. “Belov is a psychopath. I don’t care who he is, I won’t let him steal your future, and neither will our family.”
“That’s the problem,” I say, my voice rising. “Leo is going to get himself killed coming after Belov and his army. I can’t allow it.”
“What are you saying?”
“I need him to believe that this is my choice. That this is what I want.”
“He’ll never believe it,” Kira argues. “Leo knows you better than anyone. That man loves you. He won’t give up easily.”
I clench my fists in frustration. “And I love him, too. That’s why I need your help. He’ll only believe me if you back me up. If you help convince Leo, Yulian—everyone—that this is what I want.”
She huffs out a breath. “I think you’re making the wrong choice.”
“There is no choice. Look around.” I gesture in front of me.
“Belov’s power is beyond the Kozlovs’, beyond any single faction.
He exists in a league of its own. He may be involved in legitimate businesses, but he’s a gangster through and through.
He wouldn’t hesitate to kill anyone that got in the way of his plans. Including you.”
Kira is quiet, weighing my words. “I could talk to Leo, explain the situation.”
“To what end?” I take her hand in mine. She needs to hear this. “I’ve accepted that Belov has the power here, and the best thing for me to do is play nice. Hopefully when I’m by his side, I can negotiate small freedoms.”
Even if it means walking away from the man who will hold my heart forever.
In the distance, an imposing figure walks between the vines, heading towards us. Kira motions ahead. “Is that a guard?”
I wish it was. “No,” I say, rising to my feet and dusting off my pants. “That’s Belov.” He moves with a commanding presence that’s hard to miss.
“Jeez.” She rises to stand beside me. Running a hand through her shoulder-length waves and straightening her shirt. “You didn’t tell me he’s so … striking.”
“Guess I forgot to mention it with the five million other things we had to discuss.”
He holds up his hand in greeting, like we’re old friends. I’d like to tell him to go to hell, but I can’t. So I smile and wave back. If this is what is required to keep Leo alive, so be it.
“Good afternoon, ladies,” Maxim greets us, his voice deep and resonant. “Kira Antonov, I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure.”
He extends out his hand, and Kira sneers at the gesture. She has some serious lady balls. I’m just not sure giving Belov the big old fuck you is very helpful. I shoot her a warning look, but her focus is locked on the man before us.
“I go by Kozlov now. Since you seem to know who I am, you probably know why I don’t want anything to do with my father’s name.”
Belov doesn’t appear fazed. A wry smile touches his lips. I wonder if he intentionally used Kira’s father’s name. A man who never loved her, who was willing to sacrifice her for his own gain.
“Ah yes, I can’t blame you for that. Your father was a vicious man.”
“Not unlike you,” she shoots back. Her voice is dark ice.
“Kira, behave,” I hiss in warning. I know firsthand that Belov’s patience only lasts so long.
“No need,” he says, holding out his arms wide. “We’re all friends … and family. Let’s speak openly.”
Kira’s hands clench into fists at her sides. Like it’s the only thing stopping her from gouging Belov’s eyes out. For a five-foot-nothing pixie, she’s as fearless as it gets. She literally staged a coup to take down her father. No one could accuse her of being timid.
“In the spirit of speaking openly, what you’re doing is wrong. Even if you are her biological father, you don’t get to abduct my friend and snatch her life away.”
Maxim regards Kira with a sneer, the predator within him surfacing.
“I’m sorry you feel that way. I’d like to think I’m giving Alyona an opportunity to do great things.
To be rich beyond her wildest dreams, powerful.
Her career was middling at best. She has no husband, no children …
I am giving her the life she was destined for. ”
Ouch.
“Excuse me?” Kira springs up, bristling like an angry cat, which is my signal to intervene.
“Kira, calm down,” I say softly. I then turn to Belov, my hands on my hips. “You’ve left me with no choice in the matter. I don’t want your life and everything it represents.” My shoulders slump. “But I also don’t want war.”
My father narrows his gaze on me. “And what is it that you do want, Alyona?”
Leonid Kozlov. All I’ve ever wanted. But the only thing in my life that’s an impossibility. “I’m still figuring that out,” I admit.
“You love fashion, I’ll buy you a fashion empire to run. I don’t want you to be unhappy, I just want you to be by my side. Involved in my world. Ready to take the reins when I’m no longer able to.”
“You can hire someone for that, ya know,” Kira mutters, forcing Belov’s eyes back on her.
His smile is arctic. “I’m aware. But that’s not how this works.” His eyes linger on Kira, scrutinizing her, but Kira boldly holds his gaze. “I knew your Aunt Masha,” Belov adds, shattering their silent battle.
Kira’s whole body tenses. Her aunt was her rock, the one person who loved her unconditionally. Kira’s father, Oleg Antonov, ordered his sister’s execution when she conspired against him. Kira rarely speaks of it; the memory is too raw.
“You knew Masha?” she rasps.
“I did. She was an acquaintance. You remind me of her,” he says, his lips tipping up just the slightest bit. “Hot-headed. Would never back down from a fight. Didn’t know how to hold her tongue.” He pauses, sincerity in his tone. “But I liked her, and I was sorry to hear of her passing.”
Kira’s mouth twists, and she looks away. “If you knew my aunt, then you know she didn’t pass away. She was murdered in cold blood.”
I hold my breath, but Belov doesn’t flinch. While Kira’s father was supposedly responsible for Masha’s death, Kira has hinted there’s more to this story. More that she intends to discover one day.
Belov’s mouth settles into a grim line, but he doesn’t say anything more. I lay a hand on Kira’s shoulder. “Why don’t you go back to our room? I’ll meet you there in a bit.”
She delivers a final scathing look at Belov before squeezing my hand in a show of support.
“Shall we walk?” Belov asks, and I gesture for him to lead the way.
As we stroll through the vineyards, Belov pauses to tenderly touch a plant, drawing my attention to the green bud emerging.
“People don’t often associate Russia with wine making, but the Black Sea region has a rich, diverse soil, allowing us to produce exceptional wines.
” He leans down to inspect a cluster of grapes, assessing their ripeness.
“Soon it will be harvest time. I think you’ll enjoy being involved in that process. I do.”
“Like you spend much time harvesting grapes,” I snort. “You must have more important business to attend to.”
“Of course I do, but this is my hobby.” He tips his head to the side, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “Even bad men like me have hobbies.”
“I never said you were a bad man.” At least not aloud.
“You didn’t have to. I know what you’re thinking. And it’s true, I’m not a good man. But I’m fair, in my way.”
Hate to break it to him, but threatening to kill the people I love is far from fair. Still, we’re past the point of a lecture. So I ask him the only question that truly matters. “If I agree to your terms, will my family and friends be safe?”
He studies me, his gaze unblinking, before he finally nods. “I never go back on my word. Let’s hope you have as much honor.”
Sadness settles like a stone in my chest. I take a deep breath, choking on the heaviness of my decision. “I’ll do it. I’ll lead by your side.”