Page 91 of Caged

“Don’t fucking lie to my face. You’re working for my father. You could have hurt my daughter. You deserve everything coming to you.”

And that tips my fury over the edge.

“You think you know everything, don’t you? You don’t have a clue about the real world, Mr. Volkov. I would never hurt Elena. Why do you think I killed her bitch of a nanny, that you failed to see was emotionally abusing your own daughter?”

His nostrils flare and he closes the distance between us.

“Fuck you, Niki. I didn’t break your heart. You don’t have one.”

He scoffs, gripping my cheeks.

“Coming from you.”

I push against his chest but the beast doesn’t move an inch.

“Why do you think I didn’t kill you?”

“Because you couldn’t. Even if you tried.”

I let out a laugh and his fingers dig into my cheek.

“Wrong. Because I fucking love you, Nikolai. That’s why you are still alive. Love.”

I am almost as shocked as he is at my outburst. That is the only explanation for my behavior. For what I let him get away with.

The silence stretches out between us, broken by the gentle rustling of the breeze through the branches.

His features are a stone mask.

My heart sinks as he releases his grip and steps back.

“So you lie to and betray the ones you care about?”

Tears start to pool in my eyes and I shake my head. “No. I do it for the ones I love. You should understand that.”

Maybe one day, once my brother is safe, he will believe me.

I can see the confusion etched on his face. I’ve thrown him. And this is his weakness and my opportunity.

I swiftly turn around, yank the knife out of the tree, and thrust it directly into his thigh. I know what I’m doing, so I miss anything important.

He lets out a groan, and his face turns red. He raises his arm, pointing the gun at me. His finger is on the trigger, making the blood drain from me. I step toward him with purpose. If anyone deep down can understand me, it’s him.

“You’re the one person in this world I would let willingly end my life. Just not now. Let me do what needs to be done, then I am yours… whatever you decide.”

His head drops and I take my opportunity. I run. As fast as I can until my lungs burn.

THIRTY-EIGHT

NIKOLAI

I can’t even feel the pain from yet another puncture wound from Mila as I watch her run from me.

I’m not chasing her. Not now that I have something that can lead me to the truth.

I’ll be back for her.

But, her confession has thrown me. Not that I can believe her completely, but no one can act that well. I really think she would let me kill her.

---