Page 111 of Ruthless Reign

Anatoly pauses then grunts a reluctant agreement. “Try anything, and I'll break your sister in before Sergey gets here.” His voice takes on a dark edge.

“Why me?” The question escapes my throat before I can stop it. “You could have chosen anyone. Why pick Sofiya and me from the millions who would willingly submit to you? You know I've never loved you, and I never will.”

“Oh, but the challenge of controlling you, breaking you when you resist—that's what I enjoy. Knowing your family is so desperate and willing to bend to my every whim just adds to the fun.”

The delighted tone in his voice makes my stomach churn.

“You’re sick,” I say under my breath.

“Watch that sharp tongue of yours. Remember, Sofiya’s fate is in your hands.”

I clamp my mouth shut, happy that I got him to concede. Sofiya and I can't escape if we're not together.

Still blindfolded, I nearly trip over my feet as I’m dragged up a set of stairs and down a corridor. The sound of a key turning in a lock echoes as the door swings open, and I’m pushed inside with no further instructions. My sister is pushed through the door after me.

Once the door slams shut and I hear the click of the lock, I hastily remove my blindfold and tell Sofiya to do the same. Blinking in the dim light, I scan the room—a stark, cold space with bare walls and a single barred window. My heart sinks. That's one less possible escape route.

The room has a table and a few chairs, as well as a mattress on the floor that makes my skin crawl when I think of how this room has been used. A windowless, bare-bones bathroom is the only room connected to this one.

The reality of our situation sinks in. This is nothing more than a holding cell.

Sofiya moves to my side. Her hand finds mine and squeezes it tightly. “Liza,” she whispers. “What is going on? Why is Anatoly treating us this way?”

I shake my head and swallow hard against the secret I've kept from her for too long. "Anatoly is not the man you think he is." My voice cracks like glass. "When we first started dating, he wore a mask. He was charming and charismatic, and I thought he had changed from the boy I knew in school. But in truth, he's much worse than I could have imagined. I didn't want to worry you with my troubles, so I kept it from you. To be honest, I kept it from most people—the lies, the control, and even when he got physical with me."

“How could you keep this from me?” Tears well in her eyes. “I feel terrible. All this time, you were suffering, and I had no idea.”

I rush to embrace her. “Because I truly thought it was best no one knew. Our family needed the money, and I didn't see another way.”

“I’m so sorry I never realized what you were going through.” She inhales a shaky breath. “You shouldn’t have had to sacrifice yourself for our family. I could have helped. I wish you didn’t carry this burden alone.”

My throat feels like it’s closing in. “Don't feel bad, please. It was my choice, even if it was a foolish one. But there’s more I need to tell you.”

Sofiya wipes away a tear and takes a seat on the floor, which is preferable to the mattress. “Does this have to do with your breakdown on the plane?”

“Yes.” I sink down beside her, not knowing where to even start. “You remember Roman Vasiliev, Maxim Belov's right hand?” When she nods, I swallow past the brick of emotion in my throat and force myself to continue. “He guarded Kira and me in London, and that's when something first developed between us. He’s everything Anatoly isn’t. He treated me like I actually matter, like he cared about my thoughts and feelings. He even read Jane Eyre to understand me better.

“This past week, I was hiding out with him, not Kira, and just… I fell hard for him. It’s strange how quickly you can feel so much for someone. I’ve never experienced anything like it, and it was the best feeling in the world.” My voice catches, emotion bubbling thick and hot in my throat. “But he’s gone.”

Her jaw drops. “What do you mean, he's gone?”

“Did you hear Anatoly on that phone call? Roman is dead.”

I'm overcome by a wave of emotion. Sofiya gathers me in her arms and lets me cry on her shoulder. This has never been our relationship. I've always been the one to look after her, but with my world crumbling, she's the anchor I desperately need.

When I pull away, I see my own sadness mirrored in her eyes.

“You fell in love?” she whispers.

Tears continue to trickle down my cheeks, and I brush them away, only for new ones to quickly take their place. “I did, but I never got to tell him. Sergey Zhukov killed Roman, and he plans to kill the rest of the Belov Syndicate. I pray that Maxim and Kira are safe.”

The possibility of losing Kira is too horrific to contemplate. I can’t even allow my brain to go there.

Confusion crosses Sofiya’s features. “You mean … the Sergey I had dinner with?”

“He’s not just a business associate of Anatoly’s—he’s a vicious bratva leader, and they’re partnering now on some… very dark deals.”

"Oh my God." She clutches her knees, her body trembling with fear. “Is that why we're here? They're going to do something terrible to us, aren't they?"

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