Chapter 19
CLARA
Somewhere safe just happens to be Smirnov Corporation.
I do my best to look entirely normal and nonchalant as I pass my coworkers on the way to my office.
They know I had a doctor's appointment this morning, and I see a few curious faces.
I give them small smiles I hope are reassuring, but inside, I'm quaking and feeling sick.
And it's not morning sickness this time.
I still can't believe someone tried to run me over, that I was moments away from being hit head-on by a car. If Pavel hadn't been there, I would most likely be horrifically mangled, probably dead.
Pavel was there on Dmitri orders. I'm a lawyer, and I've made enemies, but I'm almost certain this was about my relationship with Dmitri.
I turn on my computer and try to get to work, hoping that will take my mind off what just happened and the implications, never mind the other complications I'm trying not to think about. I give up after a few minutes because I can’t turn my mind off and my hands are shaking too badly.
I bury them in my lap while I try, and fail, to calm myself with deep breaths.
I'm considering calling Em to pick me up and take me home when a disturbance in the hallway culminates with the door to my office slamming open. I stifle a shriek as it hits the wall.
I can't utter a single sound at the sight of who is standing in the doorway.
Dmitri’s eyes are enormous, gleaming in an inhuman way that makes me shudder. He's breathing hard, his shoulders rising and falling, his mouth twisted into a snarl.
I'm up and out of my seat as he stalks toward me.
Every thought but to run and escape leaves my head, except I have nowhere to run.
Pavel comes in behind Dmitri and closes the door.
His eyes are on his boss, his shoulders tight with tension as he watches Dmitri's every move in case he has to intervene.
Dmitri stops just a few feet in front of me, his shoulders continuing to rise and fall with the effort it's taking him to maintain control of whatever beast has been released by the news of the incident.
Did Pavel tell him about the pregnancy, too?
“Are you okay?” The question is deep and gravelly, anger dancing around the heavily accented words, like fire set on destroying everything it touches.
“I’m fine. Really, I’m fine. Pavel was there, and he saved me.
I’m not hurt. No one got hurt. I’m okay, I swear.
” I’m aware I’m babbling, but my fear is too potent.
My body is freezing up with the proximity to this terrifying man in front of me, conjuring up memories of Dean's anger and where it led.
I shy away as Dmitri takes a step closer and reaches out for me, then stops himself as though he’s unsure if he should touch me.
“Really, I’m okay. I’m not hurt.”
He stares at me with those icy eyes for a heartbeat longer before he spins around and closes in on Pavel.
“Find out who made the attempt,” he demands. “I want his name, and I want his head. I want him brought to me. I’m going to show that motherfucker what happens when he threatens what is mine.”
Dmitri paces like a caged animal, switching to a stream of furious Russian.
I don't want to know what's in store when Dmitri finds whoever tried to hit me.
I don't want to know what terrible thing is going to happen to them.
Whatever it is will be more horrific than I can imagine, and it's all because someone wants me dead in order to hurt Dmitri.
And he doesn't even know about the baby yet—I’m guessing Pavel kept that to himself, or Dmitri would have already said something.
Dmitri swings back to me, and I flinch again.
“You will be under twenty-four-hour surveillance, do you understand? You are not allowed to go anywhere without someone with you. I want to know where you are at all times.”
“What? No. You have no right to take away my freedom that way. I don't give you permission to do that.”
“Someone just tried to kill you, Clara.” Dmitri's eyes are wild. “I'm not letting you out of my sight.”
“I'm not yours to command. I'm an employee, not your property.” I wish the words sounded more assured, but I'm starting to shake and can't stop. I wrap my arms around myself, suddenly feeling cold and vulnerable.
Dmitri advances on me. “You will do as I say,” he hisses. “I will keep you safe, however I see fit.”
I want to argue. I want to scream at him.
But I can't. Everything is too much, and I'm shaking so hard, my teeth are chattering.
I wish I were nowhere right now. I wish I were nothing.
I fight back my tears, refusing to let them fall.
But one escapes, and I feel it tracking down my cheek, tasting the salt on my tongue before I can wipe it away with a sharp flick of my wrist.
At the sight of the tear, Dmitri stops. He watches me, and little by little, his eyes regain some of their humanity.
“Clara—”
I wipe away another tear, and another. Before long, there are too many for me to wipe away. When Dmitri steps toward me again, his expression has lost its fury. The anger is gone from his eyes, and when he reaches out to me, I let him take me into his arms.
He pulls me close, holding me tight and folding me into him, tucking my head under his chin. “Hush,” he murmurs. “Hush. You're safe. I have you. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
I let him hold me until I'm cried out, until his warmth and his presence calm my shudders. Part of me wants to stay wrapped up in his arms forever, because I don't think I've ever felt so safe.
But I also know I can't stay. I refuse to end up like Lauren, dead because I've fallen in love with the wrong man, or have my baby die because of who its father is.
I'll be smart, and I'll be swift about it.
I have to leave before I end up dead, and the man in whose arms I feel so safe burns down the city for it.