Page 74 of Crave

Me

Okay. I will head home.

Making a dart down the stairs, I snatch the keys from the bowl by the door and jump in my car. I don’t know why, I want to cry and drive far, far away.

Maybe if he misses me, he will realize? I can’t keep pretending around him.

When I get home, the first thing I do is head to the fridge. Wine might fix my mood. I gasp when I open it.

The whole thing is stacked with fruits, vegetables, and yogurts. All my favorites.

Even now, he’s reminding me he’s here for me.

By the time I shower and head back into my room, I stop in the doorway. The security lights in the backyard illuminate through the window. What the hell?

It sends chills down my spine, I almost don’t want to move. What if they’re back for me?

And no one is here to help me.

I creep over to the window, holding my breath. How long can I live like this? This isn’t me. I’m a Volkov. I’ve been conditioned to be strong like my brothers. Except, whenever it gets tough I run.

And I’ve had Alexei protecting me my entire life. Maybe I am just weak and useless like my father always told me.

Peeking through the blinds, the light is still on, but as I scan the surroundings I see nothing. Shit. Did I lock the doors?

I jog down the stairs almost skidding on the marble floors.

Phew. It’s locked.

Maybe it was an animal or something. Wrapping my arms around my waist, I wish Alexei was here. I’d feel safe and loved, not empty and alone.

I don’t want to live in a world without Alexei by my side. It’s like our souls are tangled together in this beautiful mess we’ve created.

I don’t notice that the tears are falling until I wipe them away. I need to be stronger on my own.

CHAPTER 32

ALEXEI

Three whole daysI haven’t been in the same space as Lara. And my heart hurts. Watching her from a distance isn’t enough.

Watching her as she sleeps is not enough.

Maybe I need to hear her voice.

”Alexei?” Mikhail clears his throat next to me.

God, I am so distracted. “Sorry, what?”

I clench my fists as Nikolai claps me on the shoulder. I never usually want to swing for him, but everything is irritating me. Even Jax’s tongue piercing, I see why Niki gets cranky about it.

“You too busy looking after your birds?” Jax chuckles, tipping back his beer.

“You wouldn’t understand. It’s hard.”

It’s not really, but being without the woman who breathes life into me is.

“Lara called,” Mikhail says, raising a brow at me.

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