Chapter 24 Kelly #2
Alexei clicks the safety. Prowls over to me and pulls me against his chest. He kisses the top of my head, panting. “You’re okay, zaychik. You’re safe.”
I try to answer. I can’t. My throat has closed up completely. My hands are trembling so violently I have to fist them on his shorts just to hold on.
He almost died. He was going to kill his own father. For me. Would have done it without hesitating, and I would have watched it happen.
The woman clears her throat.
Alexei turns us both toward her, keeping me tucked against his side as if he’s afraid if he lets go, I’ll disappear. She looks wrecked. Eyes red and swollen, chest heaving. She says something in Russian, then glances at me.
“He doesn’t understand Russian,” Alexei says.
She sighs and fixes her dress with shaking hands, then gestures down the hall. “Follow me.”
Alexei immediately grabs my hand. Laces our fingers together so tight it almost hurts. And pulls me with him.
We walk after her down the hallway. When I glance over, Alexei’s still holding that gun. Blood still drips from the cut on his neck. He hasn’t wiped it away. Hasn’t even acknowledged it.
My brain won’t shut up.
The guards are waiting around the corner.
His father is coming back.
They’re going to separate us.
But when we get to the living room, it’s empty.
She sits on the couch and wipes her hand over her forehead, letting out a deep breath.
Alexei walks us to the opposite couch and we sit. My heart is still hammering against my ribs. His entire neck is covered in blood, dark red dripping down his chest.
A tear escapes before I can stop it. I swipe at my face, but it’s too late.
His eyes lock on mine immediately. Something shifts in his expression, softens for just a second before going flat again.
I guess I should just be happy that we’re still alive.
I glance over at her. Blue eyes. Elegant, expensive jewelry everywhere. The same family crest ring on her hand, the sleeping wolf, but she has diamonds circling it.
She breaks the silence first. “What is your name?”
I swallow, trying to keep my voice steady. “Kelly Mackey.”
“Kelly.” She nods. “I’m Kapitolina. You can call me Lina.” She studies me. “You understand what my family is, yes?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Then you understand the danger you’re in. This isn’t personal. My husband doesn’t know you, doesn’t care who you are. You’re a problem that needs eliminating. That’s how he sees it.”
Alexei tenses. “Why are we still following these rules? They don’t make sense. Your father killed your twin brother for loving another man, and you’re still defending this behavior?”
So that’s the world Alexei grew up in. That’s what he meant when he said men get killed for this.
Lina’s voice rises, and she points at him with a shaking finger.
“Your father is furious with you and Mikhail for what you did to those officers. We have a deal with the commissioner, and you know that. Roman has eyes everywhere. Did you think no one would notice two cops going missing? That someone wouldn’t talk? One of them had a wife.”
She shakes her head. “When you explained you did it because of him?” Gesturing sharply toward me. “That made it worse. Your father wants you both dead.”
What did they do?
She wipes a tear away.
“My brother,” Lina continues, voice going flat. “Evgeny. He was gentle, kind. He loved a man from another family. They were careful, hid it well. My father found out anyway. Had them both killed. Made an example.
“I felt it when he died. I was in the city shopping. Felt this pain in my chest, like someone carved me open. I knew he was gone before they even called to tell me.”
“If my father tries anything, he’s dead,” Alexei says flatly, looking at her. “Even if I have to kill him myself.”
She clicks her tongue sharply. “I couldn’t save Evgeny. I won’t fail you. You’re my son. Your father thinks he can’t be moved on this. He’s wrong. He’ll bend, but it won’t happen overnight. Until then, neither of you leaves this property. You don’t go anywhere without guards.”
“Guards loyal to you or to him?” Alexei asks.
“Both. They’ll keep you alive and report everything you do. It’s the compromise that keeps him from killing you.”
“That’s not protection, that’s surveillance.”
“It’s both. Be smart about it.”
She looks down at the floor, and I feel Alexei’s arm wrap around me. His lips press against the side of my head. His blood is still wet, warm, smearing across my arm.
“I wish you’d come to me about this sooner, Alexei,” she says.
Her chin trembles. Her accent thickens. “I would have protected you. I hope you know that.”
Alexei’s arms tighten around me. He doesn’t say anything. Just stares at her.
She turns to me. “I hope we didn’t scare you too much, Kelly. I know that was intense, but I always stick to my word. You are safe. I would never lie about something like this.”
Her expression softens. “I love my children. I want to know more about you.”
I swallow. “Thank you. That really means a lot. I didn’t mean to cause trouble for your family. I’m so sorry, I—”
“Don’t say sorry,” Alexei cuts me off. “You have nothing to be sorry for.”
He looks at his mother. “She’s right. I’ve been a coward. I should have gone to her sooner.”
Lina shakes her head. “No, you are the strongest person I know.”
She stands, smoothing her coat. Walks over to us.
I stand automatically, legs barely supporting me.
She looks at me. “I need you to understand something. My son just threatened to kill his father for you. He would have done it without hesitation. That means you matter more to him than anything else in his life. More than family, more than survival. Do you understand the weight of that?”
I nod, throat too tight to speak.
“Good. Don’t waste it.”
She moves to the door. We follow, my legs shaking with each step. At the door, she cups Alexei’s face and says something soft in Russian. He closes his eyes and nods. Then she glances at me one last time before walking out.
The door clicks shut behind her.