Page 85 of Unleashed

When she opens her mouth to argue, I cut her off. “If you don’t get changed, I swear to god I’ll put you over my knee and make sure you regret it. Or,” I lower my voice, the edge softening but still unyielding, “you can get dressed, come with me, and we’ll handle this together. Your choice.”

Her defiance wavers, her eyes searching mine. Finally, she blows out a frustrated breath. “You reallyarethe beast with all his bluster.”

I shrug, unapologetic. “If the shoe fits.”

“Fine,” she mutters, turning toward the dresser, strategically placing distance between me and her.

I can’t force her into compliance. I can’t force her to like me. Hell, I don’t need her to. But I’ll make damn sure she stays safe, even if she hates me for it. I’ll protect her with everything I have because as much as I want to control her, I’m terrified of losing her.

“You’ll stay with me when I question my uncle and cousin.”

Chapter 26

“ANISSA”

Dinner is a tense affair.After showing Rafail the picture, I braced myself for questions. For something. But all I got was confusion… no answers. The look he gave me when he saw me with my brothers though… like I’d betrayed him… like something vital had died between us. I hate that look. I hate that it feels like I’m falling apart.

Still, despite the tension between us, we do our best to pretend things are fine for the sake of appearances. We exchange polite words and smiles.

“This looks delicious,” I tell Zoya.

“Believe it or not, Rodion made the rice,” she says, looking as surprised as I am.

“Hey,” he says. “I know how to cook.”

We share a look behind his back. Grandfather pronounces it the best meal he’s ever had in confinement, and while the restof them laugh, I can’t help but wonder when else he’s been confined. Is he joking?

Still, it’s strained between Rafail and me, and, I don’t know, the tension is palpable.

“Is Gleb still sleeping?” Rafail hasn’t broached any questions, but I suspect he’s waiting until we eat first. This could get ugly. For once, I’m happy to follow his lead on something.

A part of me doesn’t want to know the truth, and I hate that.

As the others chat, the tension between Rafail and me simmers, unspoken. I’m hyperaware of his presence, yet I feel like we’re worlds apart.

Zoya seems to notice that something’s off. The little furrow between her brow deepens, and she looks from me to Rafail, but she keeps quiet. Rodion, on the other hand, isn’t so demure. His gaze goes from me to Rafail and back again.

“What’s going on?” he asks bluntly. “Something’s wrong with you two. Spill.”

Oh, for crying out loud?—

I bite down hard, trying to swallow the rush of panic, and grip my fork, trying to appear normal. I don’t want to get into it. If he keeps pushing, I might have to admit what I don’t want to—I’m totally in over my head.

“Drop it, Rodion,” I warn, my words sharper than I intended.

Naturally, he doesn’t take the hint. “Seriously, what’s going on? You’re both acting like someone died.” He leans back and pushes harder. “You’re like parents trying to pretend they didn’t have a fight in front of their kids.”

Argh.

I want to shake him. I open my mouth to retort when Rafail leans in close, his voice lowering. “She saiddropit.” Yikes. It’s not good when he lowers his voice.

Rafail’s voice cuts like a whip, his tone one you don’t argue with. Silence falls immediately as everyone else stops breathing. I gulp a sip of water.

Rodion raises his hands in surrender, and I let out a breath.

“Easy, brother,” Rodion says, shaking his head, but he clamps his mouth shut when he catches Rafail’s gaze. “I’m sorry.”

For once, I’m glad they do what Rafail tells them. I blow out a breath of relief as the others talk among themselves.

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