Page 37 of Twisted Vows

Rurik spoke again, his voice low and measured. “We’re not going to apologize for trying to preserve what’s left of your humanity. The path we walk is a dark one, and we never wanted you to be a part of that.”

Nika’s shoulders slumped, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of doubt cross her features, but then her resolve hardened once more, and she lifted her chin defiantly. “Take me home.”

The words were spoken with a finality that left no room for argument, sending a pang of loss through my chest. Rurik’s gaze met mine, and I saw the same conflict mirrored in his eyes.

“Nika, please don’t shut us out like this.”

She shook her head, her lips pressed into a thin line. “I need time to process this, to figure out where we stand. Just...take me home.”

Swallowing hard, I nodded, knowing any further protest would only drive her further away. Rurik fell into step beside me as we escorted Nika out of the warehouse, the heavy silence hanging over us like a shroud.

The drive to her apartment was a tense affair, the air thick with unspoken words and lingering resentment. She stared out the window, arms folded across her chest, and her body language shouted for us to keep our distance. As we pulled up to her building, she made no move to exit the vehicle, her gaze fixed on some distant point beyond the windshield. Rurik cleared his throat, the sound jarring in the oppressive silence.

“We’ll give you some space, but there's been too much space between us already. Don't punish us too long, dorogaya.”

Her jaw tightened, but she offered no response. Her silence was a deafening rebuke. With a heavy sigh, Rurik exited the car to open her door, leaving me alone with the woman who had become such an integral part of my life.

“I know you’re angry, and you have every right to be, but please, don’t shut me out completely. I can’t bear the thought of losing you.”

Her shoulders tensed, and for a fleeting second, I thought she was reconsidering, but when she turned to face me, her expression was a cold mask betraying nothing. “I need time to decide if I can trust you again and figure out if I can safely be a part of your world without losing myself in the process.”

The words cut deeply, but I forced myself to nod, knowing any protest would only drive the wedge between us deeper. With a heavy heart, I watched as she exited the car and made her way toward her apartment, her steps heavy with the weight of the emotional turmoil she carried. She gave Rurik a stiff nod as she walked by him, but otherwise, she didn't speak to or interact with him.

As the door closed behind her, a profound sense of loss hit me, feeling like a hollowness that threatened to consume me. Rurik took the seat she’d occupied, sighing heavily. “Give her time. She’ll come around, or she won’t, but either way, we’ll face it together, as we always have.”

I nodded, my throat too constricted with emotion to form a response. As we pulled away from the curb, I cast one last glance at Nika’s apartment, silently willing her to find her way back to us.

For now, all I could do was wait and hope the bond we had forged was strong enough to withstand the trials that lay ahead.

Chapter Seventeen – Rurik

The dimly lit club frequented by the Yelchin bratva pulsed with a low throb of bass that echoed the thumping in my head. Malachi and I sat in a secluded corner, a bottle of vodka between us, the clear liquid a temporary balm.

I raised the glass to my lips, savoring the burn as it slid down my throat. Across from me, his fingers drummed an erratic rhythm on the table.

Heavy footsteps approached, and I glanced up to see Viktor, the pakhan’s imposing figure casting a long shadow. He eased himself into the chair beside us, his weathered face etched with concern.

“You did well today, but this isn’t over.” His gaze flickered between us. “Don’t give Nika too much space. She’ll amplify what happened into something she can’t accept.”

Malachi’s fingers stilled, his knuckles whitening. “We almost lost her.”

A muscle twitched in Viktor’s jaw. “Which is why you need to go to her. Remind her it’s your job to protect her. Be honest about your feelings.”

I leaned back, considering his words. Honesty had never come easily in our world, but perhaps Viktor was right. And weren’t we shocked that Viktor was doling love advice?!

Seconds later, Dmitri slid into the remaining free chair at the small table. A smirk played across his lips as he regarded his father. “Since when did you become a shrink, old man?”

Viktor’s expression softened, a hint of sadness creeping into his eyes. “When you find the one you love, you cling to her.” His voice dropped, weighted with memory. “Your mother knew that better than anyone.”

We were all silent for a moment, the unspoken grief for Eugenia hanging in the air like a specter. I took another swig of vodka, the burn doing little to dull the ache in my chest.

Dmitri’s bravado faltered, his gaze dropping to the floor. “I didn’t mean...”

Viktor waved a dismissive hand. “It’s all right, son.” He turned back to us, his expression hardening once more. “Don’t let Nika slip through your fingers. Go to her, before it’s too late.”

I met Malachi’s gaze, and he nodded, clearly in agreement. With a few words of parting, we rose from our seats, leaving the half-empty bottle behind.

The drive to Nika’s apartment seemed to stretch endlessly, each passing minute increasing the knot of dread coiling in my gut. Malachi’s knuckles were white on the steering wheel, his jaw set in a tight line as we navigated the familiar streets.

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