Chapter 35
CHAPTER
THIRTY-FIVE
SOFIYA
I stand at the counter, my hands sticky with rice and ground meat, rolling the mixture into neat bundles as Yelena watches over me like a hawk. The kitchen is warm, the tang of tomato sauce mingling with the earthy smell of cabbage.
“Too loose,” Yelena says, reaching over to prod one of my rolls with her finger. “It’ll fall apart in the pot if you don’t tighten it.”
I glance down at the roll and frown. “Oh, come on, it’s not that bad.”
Yelena shakes her head. “But it can be better. The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”
I stifle a laugh, trying again with exaggerated care. I don’t know how I let Yelena talk me into this cabbage roll lesson. Well, I do know—she’s trying to distract me, and honestly, I need it.
It’s been a tense few days since we were attacked in public. Still, it hasn’t all been bad. We’ve fallen into a strangely domestic routine. Niko wakes up early, works out, brings me breakfast in bed, and then we shower together. It always ends the same way—with me on my knees, bent over the sink, or my legs wrapped around him against the wall.
Afterward, he disappears into his home office for a few hours. I know he’s dealing with the fallout from the attack. He has reason to believe an Azerbaijani cartel is behind it, and he’s working on taking them down. I was surprised he shared that with me, since we’ve never really discussed bratva business before. When I asked him for details, he opened up, which is something I appreciate.
I’d like to say the public attack was the scariest moment of my life, but it wasn’t. Being taken and almost married off to Sergey was, but this came close. Once again, Niko saved my life.
Now, instead of fantasizing about him for the next five years, he could be mine.
My husband. My protector. Maybe even the father of my future children. I’m falling hard for him, which terrifies me because there’s still so much up in the air. He promised to make things right with my family and the Syndicate, and I have to give him a chance to prove himself.
But he needs to deal with the immediate threat first.
I sigh, presenting my latest cabbage roll for Yelena’s inspection.
She purses her lips, studying it like it’s a masterpiece, then gives me a small nod. “Getting there,” she declares.
I frown. “Well, if Niko complains about a cabbage roll falling apart, he’s welcome to make his own dinner.”
Yelena scoffs, wiping her hands on her apron. “You think that man would ever step foot in this kitchen to cook? Please. That’s why you need to get it right.”
“What is this about making my own dinner?” Niko’s deep voice fills the room as he strides into the kitchen. He looks mouthwateringly good in his suit. The dark fabric is tailored perfectly to his broad shoulders and lean frame. Knowing what’s underneath all that material leaves my mouth dry.
Before I can respond, he’s behind me, his arms wrapping firmly around my waist, bringing my backside flush to his front. His lips brush against my neck, planting a lingering kiss that I feel down to my toes.
Yelena doesn’t miss a beat. She smiles knowingly, then quietly excuses herself.
“Going somewhere?” I ask. This life has inherent risks, but I don’t like the thought of him leaving the estate while his enemy is at large.
“Meetings. And I’ll be careful,” he murmurs, his breath warm against my skin as his fingers trace lazy patterns along my ribs. “What are your plans?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” I close my eyes when he drags his nose down the side of my neck. “I’m learning to be a perfect Russian wife.”
His chuckle vibrates against me. “You’re making Yelena’s dreams of domestic bliss come true.”
I snort. “I doubt I can ever live up to her standards.” I point and flex my healed ankle. “Might even put on one of those fancy leotards you got me and do a short warm-up sequence. I want to compile all the best practices the school instructors could use.”
“Good idea.” His palm slides lower, grazing my hip. “But don’t wear yourself out, because I have plans for you tonight.”
“Really?” I turn in his arms, meeting his gaze. “What kind of plans?” I whisper seductively.
He kisses my forehead. “We’re going out, and the only clue I’ll give you is to dress up.”
My head snaps back in surprise. “We’re leaving the estate?”
He smiles. “It’s safe. We captured the Azerbaijani cartel leader behind the attack and all his top lieutenants. He’s being transported to St. Petersburg today. So tonight, we celebrate.”
The idea of going out with Niko, even for one night, fills me with excitement. “You’re seriously not going to tell me anything else?”
“That’s the fun of a surprise. Now, be good today,” he teases, leaning in for a kiss. His mouth moves against mine, soft yet demanding, his hands on my hips, pulling me against him. It’s so damn easy to lose myself in his scent, his touch, his drugging kisses.
The sound of footsteps brings me back to the present. I pull away, expecting to see Yelena, but it’s not her. Emil stands frozen in the doorway, his eyes flicking between us.
Unfazed, Niko gives my ass a firm squeeze before stepping away. “Be ready by eight.”
As he walks past Emil, he claps him on the back with a low murmur of something I can’t hear, but the sharp look he throws him is unmistakable.
Emil crosses to the espresso machine in the far counter. He pours a mug, his back to me, the tension practically radiating off him.
I exhale slowly and grip the counter, working up the courage to say what I need to. “Emil, I need to apologize to you.”
“For what?” he snaps, still not looking at me.
“For… the woods. For putting you in that position with Niko.” The silence feels heavy as I search for the right words. “I never meant for you to get in trouble. I didn’t choose to be here, and I was desperate for a sliver of freedom. You have to understand that.”
He finally turns, his jaw tight, his expression hard. “Doesn’t look like you’re desperate to get away anymore. Seems to me you’ve settled in just fine. You and Niko are a happy little family, huh?”
I flinch at the bitterness in his voice. “I really am sorry. If I’d known it would get you in trouble…” My words trail off. The truth is, even if I had known, I’d probably still have done it. “The point is, I didn’t mean for you to take any of the blame, and I’m sorry you did.”
His eyes narrow as he takes a slow sip of coffee, leaning back against the counter, studying me. “You don’t have to make excuses. You tricked me. Next time, I won’t be so naive as to trust you.”
“There won’t be a next time,” I say carefully. “Things are different now.”
He lets out a humorless laugh. “Yeah, I noticed. We all have. He’s distracted. Spending his days wrapped up in you instead of running his empire. He’s taking his eyes off the ball, and it’s going to get us all killed.”
His words feel like a punch to the gut. Since Niko has been giving me so much of his time and attention, does that mean he’s neglected his duties?
“That’s not true,” I say, my tone defensive. “He’s handling his business.”
“Is he?” His eyes bore into mine. “Because from where I’m sitting, that’s not the case. First, the Azerbaijanis. Next, it’ll be the Syndicate coming for him, for all of us. And when that happens, you’ll only have yourself to blame.”
I grip the counter to steady myself, an ache spreading through my chest.
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” he says flatly before turning and walking away, leaving the room steeped in the weight of his warning.
After Emil leaves, my head is a mess. I can’t think, focus, or even look at the cabbage rolls I’m supposed to be helping with. When Yelena returns, I mumble some sorry excuse about having a headache and needing to lie down, then slip away to the bedroom I occupied before moving into Niko’s.
Now, I’m in the bathroom, sitting with my back against the door, Valeria’s cell phone clutched in my hands as I decide what to do.
Niko asked me to give him time to figure things out, but what if we don’t have time? After he rejected Roman’s deal, I can only imagine how tense things are back home.
What if they are planning something? The Syndicate has endless resources at their fingertips, and while I know Niko does too, maybe he’s been too distracted to see them coming.
Emil might be bitter, but that doesn’t mean he’s wrong. I can’t be the reason that Niko, or anyone for that matter, is killed.
Hands shaking, I make the call I’ve put off making for a long time. Liza picks up right away.
“Sofiya… Is that you?” Her voice is tight, on the edge of breaking.
“It’s me,” I assure her.
A deep exhale. “Are you okay? Tell me you’re okay. Are you hurt? What did he do to you?” Her questions hit like rapid fire, leaving no space for answers. “Roman’s in the other room, I’ll get him?—”
“No,” I interrupt, the word coming out harsher than intended. “Liza, I need to talk to you alone. Please.”
“Okay,” she replies but I can hear the reluctance in her voice. “What’s going on? Are you safe? Are you still…” She trails off as if she can’t bring herself to say the words.
I close my eyes, shame washing over me in hot waves. How can I explain that somewhere along the way, in between the threats, the mind games, and the tattoos, I've fallen in love with my captor? My husband.
Wait… love? Is that what this is?
“I’m safe,” I assure her, trying to keep this conversation on track. “But I need you to listen. Just let me talk because this is not easy to explain.”
I swallow hard and grip the phone tight. “When this started, I was Niko’s captive, yes, and I didn’t want to be here. But he never hurt me—never abused me or treated me the way you think he did. He wanted everyone to believe I was being tortured, and miserable but that was never the case. In fact, it was the opposite.”
She’s quiet on the other end, but I can practically feel her disbelief. “Is he there with you right now? Is he making you say this?”
“No, he doesn’t know I’m making this call. I stole this phone a while ago. He has no idea. But I need you to hear me out.”
She lets out a sharp breath. “I don’t understand. None of this makes sense.”
I tip my head and look at the ceiling. “It doesn’t make sense to me either, but things… changed between us. He’s shown me parts of myself I didn’t know existed, given me faith in myself I never had before.”
“Do you even hear what you’re saying?” she says, her voice breaking slightly, raw with emotion. “You’re defending the man who abducted you and forced you into marriage. Tell me you see how insane this is?”
“What he did was wrong; it was savage. I get that,” I say, the words catching in my throat. “But he’s shown me a different side to him. He bought me a dance school for kids in need. Something I can run, that’s mine to do with as I see fit. He’s made me feel like I can do something good. I can be more than just someone who’s been through hell.”
“Roman offered him a deal. The Syndicate agreed to every one of his demands, and he still turned them down. This is the man you want to be with?”
“He had his reasons, Lizka. That doesn’t change how I feel about him. I don’t want him killed. I don’t want anyone killed—or for this to spiral out of control.”
When she speaks again, there’s a note of desperation in her voice. “Sofiya, we know where you are. The information you gave us about Koporye Fortress and the estate of Catherine the Great’s niece checked out. Roman’s tech guys pinpointed your location. If you can get to a safe place, Roman and his men can get you out.”
My stomach drops, and my hands go clammy. I feel like I’m betraying my sister with what I’m about to say, but if I leave him, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.
“I’m so sorry, Lizka. I know how hard this must be for you to understand, but I want to be with him. I’m in love with Niko, and I think he feels the same.” My voice cracks, and I swallow hard. I know he feels the same. “He’s going to make amends with the Syndicate and show you how serious he is about me. About us. But for now, you have to promise me the Syndicate won’t attack.”
“This is crazy, Sofiya,” she pleads. “I don’t know what to tell you. The Syndicate isn’t just Roman. Pavel and Maxim—Nikolai crossed them too. He betrayed their trust in a way he can’t fix.”
Tears prick at my eyes as I press my palm to my forehead, trying to clear the chaos in my head. “You don’t understand… If something happens to you, Roman, or anyone I love, I’d be devastated, but…” My voice grows husky. “If something happens to him… I’d feel the same.”
“I need to see you,” she says after a beat. “I need to see for myself if this is real. If you’re really okay, or if…” She trails off, but the unspoken words sit between us. Or if he’s broken you.
I nod, even though she can’t see me. “That’s fair.” I don’t know how we’ll manage it, but I owe her that.
“Give me a day. I’ll talk to Roman and the others. But Sofiya, I can’t make any guarantees.”
“I know.”
“I miss you so damn much,” Liza says, voice thick. “And I just want you to come home.”
“I miss you too,” I breathe. “And I’m sorry for what this is doing to you. I know it’s tearing you apart.” I try to smile through the ache in my chest. “It’s funny, isn’t it? I wanted to escape bratva life, and now I’m more entrenched in it than ever.”
A long pause stretches between us before Liza says, “I love you, Sofiya.”
“Love you, Lizka,” I reply, blinking back tears.
The line goes dead, and I sit there, the full weight of what I’ve set in motion crashing over me.