Chapter Twenty-nine
Alessia
A knot tightened in my stomach when Rodion walked out of the house.
We only stayed for about forty minutes, but when he said it was time to go, I knew the moment with my family was over.
I looked at my father, about to ask if he could talk to Rodion and buy me a few more minutes, but he spoke before I could.
“You’re safe with him,” he said. “I’m working on everything to get you out of this.
” I nodded, though I didn’t feel the comfort he offered.
. Rodion had a grip on him, one I couldn’t see but could feel in every word he said.
He took out his wallet and pulled out a few folded dollar bills.
“Take this. In case you need something.”
I couldn’t even argue. I didn’t have a single penny on me. That safe house didn’t guarantee something as basic as sanitary towels like back in his territory. So, I took the money without protest.
“Thank you, Papa.”
He wrapped his arms around me with a hollow pressure that said he knew he had failed me. An embrace that held more guilt than warmth. I hugged him back, burying my face in his chest.
“Go,” he whispered into my hair. “This will be over soon.”
On turning to my mother, she had three food containers stacked in her grip. I accepted them and gave her a childish pout. “I’ll miss your cooking.”
She fixed a loose strand behind my ear. “Eat well. Don’t skip meals.” I promised I would and hugged her tight, breathing in the faint scent of garlic and rosemary clinging to her apron. It made my chest ache.
Carina pulled me into a hug before I could let go of my mother. Redness rimmed her eyes, but she held onto the brave smile she always wore when everything was falling apart.
“You need to take care,” I told her.
“I’ll stay with your parents for a few days.” I loved her for knowing exactly when to talk and when to be there. Carina was a rare kind of friend. The type that stuck even when everything else crumbled.
We hugged for a few seconds before we began to cry.
“Okay,” she said, pulling away and wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her hoodie. “That’s it. No more hugs. Come on, I’ll walk you to the door.”
I laughed through the sobs and waved to my parents. Carina and I headed to the front door. Before she opened it, she leaned in close and lowered her voice.
“Hey. About him, are you sure there’s nothing between you two?”
My brows pulled together. “Him?”
She rolled her eyes. “I caught him staring at you more than once. I also caught the look he gave you back in that lingerie shop. Did you say he was stalking you back then?”
I scoffed. “Yeah. And he sent the dress we thought was from Marco. But I don’t trust his looks, he is probably plotting his next move. Or deciding where to stash my body.”
She gave me that wicked grin and shook her head. “He’s hot, though.”
We stepped out and found Rodion standing by the stairs with a phone to his ear, rattling off orders to someone. His eyes flicked toward us for half a second before he turned and started down the stairs, already three steps ahead. I waved at Carina and ran to catch up.
Once we got to his car, I sat in the back seat, the three dishes balanced carefully beside me. The car pulled away from the curb, and I leaned back, letting the silence wrap around me.
Everything that happened settled in. My heart warmed in a way I hadn’t expected.
Rodion had brought my parents here and ensured they were safe.
That meant a lot to me. I knew he was working with my father now.
Whatever lines existed before had shifted.
We weren’t enemies anymore—at least not the way we used to be.
I saw my father looking at him with respect and a little gratitude.
And Rodion didn’t act like a tyrant; he listened and went through the files my father gave him without throwing a single word back. There were no arguments or threats.
Taking me with him today was a great deal to me. When we left the safe house, I thought he was taking me back to Leonid after I had pushed him earlier. But when I saw Carina and my parents, life cracked open again. There was a sliver of hope.
A smile tugged at my lips. Today was the closest thing to normal I’ve felt in a long time.
Outside the window, malls blurred past, people drifting in and out with shopping bags and coffee cups.
I wanted to stop and get a few things I wouldn’t be able to ask for once we returned to the safe house.
I didn’t know if Rodion would let me out again or even care enough to get me something urgent.
So when I realized we were nearly out of the city, I leaned forward towards him.
“Can I buy a few things?” I asked him. “I will be quick.”
He didn’t respond. His eyes stayed on the road, but his foot eased off the gas.
The car slowed, not enough to stop but enough to notice.
We drove again for close to ten minutes before he finally pulled up to a supermarket on the outskirts of town.
A few people were wandering around. He killed the engine and pulled out his phone.
I unbuckled and stepped out, clutching the banknotes my father gave me. “I’ll be quick,” I said, closing the door.
Once inside, I headed straight for the sanitary aisle, grabbed what I needed, and slowed near the frozen shelves. My eyes landed on my favorite ice cream: coffee and hazelnut, swirled in perfect brown curls. I took one.
At the clothing section, I picked a small pack of underwear. As maids, they provided all this but since we were staying at the safe house, there was nothing provided there. By the time I glanced at the prices and added them all up in my head, I realized the money was almost gone.
Walking toward the checkout, I glanced outside. Rodion wasn’t in the car or anywhere in sight, but I didn’t panic. He might have stepped out to do something, maybe to smoke. As I turned the corner toward the cashier, someone slammed into my shoulder.
“Move it. We don’t have all day,” the man barked, brushing past me.
Everything slipped from my arms and scattered on the floor.
I hissed, more from shock than pain, and turned to look at him.
He shoved his way past me, cutting the line to the cashier like I didn’t exist. With a soft sigh, I crouched to gather the things I had dropped because I didn’t have the strength to argue.
Before I could stand, a heavy grunt cut through the air, and the rude guy went flying backward. He crashed to the floor near my feet, blood gushing from his nose.
A bottle of energy drink rolled off his chest and spun in slow circles beside him. I stared, my heart pounding in my ears.
Rodion walked up to me, grabbed my shoulders, and pulled me to the cashier. I dropped the items on the counter, and the woman behind the counter moved fast, her hands shaking. Every eye in the store was on us. A few people had backed away.
Once the cashier had packed everything, I reached out to pay, but Rodion was already ahead of me. He dropped a few crisp bills onto the counter, grabbed the paper bag, and took my hand. He didn’t bother to check the change.
We got to the car and he opened the passenger door for me to get in.
I slid into the seat, and he placed the bag on my lap before walking to the driver’s side.
He started the car and drove away without a word.
His red knuckles caught my eyes, a silent reminder of the man he’d left bleeding.
I stared out the window, a creepy smile tugging at my lips.
That guy deserved it. But damn, that was a scene.
Did Rodion follow me inside? Because where the hell did he come from?
By the time I finished freshening up, the sun had already sunk below the horizon.
I stepped out of my room, shadows stretching across the floor as I made my way to the kitchen.
Rodion was in the sitting area, a laptop balanced on his lap as his fingers tapped across the keys.
He didn’t break focus as I walked past him.
My mother’s packed dishes were still on the counter, so I peeled back the foil, letting the familiar scent welcome me.
I served my food and while it warmed, my eyes drifted to the door, debating whether to serve Rodion too. I couldn’t shake off what he did earlier. Before I could talk myself out of it, I was already reaching for a second plate to serve him.
Once the food was warmed, I carried the plates to the dining table, the gentle steam rising as I set them in place.
When everything was ready, I left to call Rodion.
He was still working, but when I stepped into view, he lifted his head.
He looked me over in a silent, measured way, as if checking for weakness or intent.
“I’ve set your dinner,” I said, gesturing toward the table.
Without waiting for a response, I slipped out of his sight, wondering if I had a stain on my tee.
Back in the kitchen, I packed the leftovers in the fridge. I wiped down the counter, grabbed my plate, and headed for my room. As I passed the dining table, I saw him pulling a chair back. He was actually going to eat.
Ignoring him, I stepped toward the hallway, but his voice stopped me. “Sit.”
Surprised, I turned. He took a sip of water, eyes already fixed on me. Did he think I put something in his food?
“It’s not poisoned,” I said. He didn’t answer. A sigh slipped out as I stalked toward the table and placed my plate down. “Fine, I’ll taste your food first, just to prove—”
I didn’t reach his side when I noticed he grabbed a piece of garlic bread and took a bite. My lips pressed together as I walked over to where I’d left my plate. I pulled out a chair and sat down.
We ate in silence until my voice filled the space.
“Thank you for today.” He lifted his gaze to me, and I continued. “My father will do what you asked. He’s a kind man. He will help you find what you’re looking for.”
The silence thickened again, broken only by the clink of spoons against ceramic. I glanced down at my plate, but my thoughts slipped elsewhere.
“It was nice to see them,” I murmured. “I was happy. Thank you.”
This time, my smile didn’t hurt. It warmed something in me. And that kind of warmth had a strange effect on me. It made me talk more than I usually did.
“I didn’t expect to see Carina,” my smile widened. “She’s a good friend. If she knew I was coming over, she would’ve brought me a copy of her new book,” I laughed softly and chewed. “I’ve read her drafts, but I would love to hold the finished version in my hands. That’d be amazing. Do you read?”
The moment our eyes met, my smile vanished. Rodion leaned back in his seat, watching me. And just like that, I remembered who I was talking to. It wasn’t as if he was listening.
Once I finished eating, I cleared the table and left for the kitchen with my plates.
After placing them in the sink, I paused, hands resting on the edge, wondering why I started feeling so comfortable around him.
I needed to get my shit together. As I turned to return to the dining room for his plates, I walked straight into him.
I gasped, stepping back instinctively until my back hit the kitchen island.
Rodion was holding his plate. He leaned forward, placing it in the sink. But he didn’t back away. Instead, his hands leaned on either side, caging me in. He lowered himself, bringing his face level with mine.
His eyes didn’t waver. “I read,” he declared and studied me for a moment. “And I don’t care how nice your friend is. She wasn’t supposed to know where your parents are.”
I blinked. “She won’t tell anyone.”
“Yeah?” His jaw tightened. “And you think they can’t follow her? Renat is still out there. He knows her face. Do you think your friend’s safe?”
He was right. “I can call and tell her not to leave the house,” I whispered. “I don’t want anything to happen to any of them.”
Rodion didn’t move. “If they don’t follow instructions,” he said, “things will happen.”
That hit me harder than I expected. “Is Luigi after my father?”
He didn’t respond immediately; instead, he lifted his hand to my face. His fingers brushed a loose strand behind my ear. “You should worry about yourself.”
I swallowed. “My father said I’m safe with you.”
Rodion’s lips curled into a smirk that made my skin warm and my stomach twist. “Are you?” he asked.
I didn’t feel completely safe, but it was better than how I felt with Leonid. “You promised my father you would keep me safe, in return for him giving you what you want.”
His brow lifted, like the thought hadn’t occurred to him. “I did?”
Frustration built fast. “You also promised you won’t take me back to Leonid. Did you lie to me?”
His hand moved again, fingertips trailing along my cheek and down the curve of my jaw. When his thumb brushed over my bottom lip, my breath stilled. I realized just how close he was.
“I don’t make promises, Little Gem.” He leaned closer, his breath brushing mine. “I make deals.”
My eyes locked with his, trying to keep my thoughts straight. “So you lied to—”
His lips didn’t let me finish. He pressed a kiss to the corner of my mouth. It was teasing, cruel, and addictive but he pulled back before I could properly taste him.
“I’m tempted to keep you, Alessia.”
That stopped me. At least so far, I could tell when he called me Little Gem, he meant deals. But was my name a promise?
We stared at each other as a pressure built between us. He wasn’t easy to understand, but God, I wanted to know this man. “What does that mean?” I asked.
His eyes dropped to my lips, then back to my eyes.
“This,” he declared, and crushed his mouth to mine with a hunger that shattered my thoughts.
He pulled me against him, one arm around my waist and the other settling at my neck as his lips claimed me. I clung to his shirt, unsure if I should push him away or hold on and find out what this meant. But I knew only he could quell the fire burning inside me.