Page 33 of Bound By Longing

“You and Nadia.” I look at him pointedly. “I heard you. So, how can you send her home after what you did together?”

He stares at me for a moment before smiling and leaning back against the counter. “I’m not a man that forms attachments. I’m not looking for love. Nadia gave me what I needed. She got what she needed. There was nothing else. So, why have her stay when I’d rather talk to you?”

“But I’m not giving you what you need. I just want to go home. So, why do you want to talk to me?”

His smile widens. “Because I just do. There doesn’t have to be a rhyme or reason for everything, Mila. Sometimes life is just about living it.” He nods at the glass still on the floor. “I’ll have Collete clean it in the morning. I’m going back to bed. You should, too.”

I watch him leave, and even after he’s gone, I can still feel his touch on my ankle.

MIKHAIL

I have spent all night searching for the unknown Vladimir. Sofiya is getting more and more worried, and as her husband, it’s my job to make sure I take care of it. I need to find Mila before it’s too late.

If I wait too long, who knows what will happen to her? Sofiya is in the hospital, resting, all because of her stress. She could lose the baby. I’ve lost one kid. I’m not going to lose another.

I will find Mila.

There’s one more Vladimir on my list. After asking around, one of my contacts said he knew this old man who liked young women. I had never heard of him before, but it’s worth checking out.

I park outside a run-down, disgusting house. If Mila is inside, I hope she’s all right. It’s morning, and I’ve been up for hours, but I push through my tiredness to focus on my mission. Finding Mila is all that matters.

When I knock on the door, it leaves behind a dust stain.

After a moment, an old man answers. “What?”

“Vladimir, I take it.”

He looks at me more closely before his eyes widen. “Oh, uh …” I love getting that reaction from people. The moment they realize who I am.

He tries shutting the door, but I slam my hand into it. “You wouldn’t happen to have a young woman in your house, would you?”

He scoffs. “No.”

I glare down at him. “I’ll go inside and see for myself, or you can just tell me right now.”

With a sigh, he nods. “I did take a young woman. Mila. She was mine, though. I was gifted her from Gleb Vesna. I had a right.”

My heart tightens at the name of Gleb. I remember when he tried to hurt Mila. “So, where is she now?”

“She’s not here.”

“No?” I shove the door open, and Vladimir goes flying back. “Mila?” I call out. I search the entire house within a matter of minutes, but she’s not there. “Where is she?” I grab Vladimir and shake him. “Where is she?”

“I took her to Damien Petrov’s club. He told me to leave. Last I know, he has her.”

Fucking Damien. Why is he always trying to cause trouble? I want to kill him, and now, he’s given me a good reason to.

“You’re telling the truth?”

“I am,” Vladimir cries.

I punch him hard across the face and leave him on the floor, sobbing, as I head to Damien’s club. It’s early in the morning, but he’s always there.

If he has Mila, I will kill him.

MILA

I don’t fully fall back asleep. I’m too wired.

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