Page 29 of Throttle All the Way

“Like who? Sabrina Wellchild?” I asked sharply, watching as her eyes widened, betraying just a flicker of panic.

She took a step back, her arms crossed defensively. “What do you know?”

I shook my head, letting out a slow breath. “I know everything, Mila. I know where you came from, what that fucker did to you. What you’ve been doing since then. Allowing all those motherfuckers to touch you.”

“How I live my life is none of your business!”

“It is when they are touching what’s mine,” I growled.

“I’m not yours. I don't belong to anyone, least of all you. At least with them I’m safe and live comfortably.”

“Is that why you stayed there? For the money. I didn’t think you’d be one to sell her body off so easily, Kitty Cat.”

The slap came firm and swift, and I instantly quieted. Slowly, I looked back at her. “You deserve so much more than being a whore.”

“How dare you? You have no right…”

“I have every right!” I slammed a fist against my chest as my anger surged. “I’ve spent the last year of my life, every waking hour consumed by you, Mila Stepanovich. I was there that night.”

Her jaw clenched as she stepped back again, trying to put distance between us. “You’re lying.”

“I was the one who found you, Mila. You were half-dead, lying on that shore. Did you think you just washed up here by chance? It was me!”

Her breath hitched, her eyes glistening as a single tear broke free. “You?” she whispered, the word barely audible.

I crossed the space between us in two strides, grabbing her arms gently but firmly, forcing her to face me. “Yes. Me. I tried to protect you that night, but you ran. I’ve spent the last year chasing ghosts because you had to run.”

“You only wanted me so you could get your information and put me on a damn stand.”

“I wanted you for much more than that, Mila.Youmeant…. fuck, you mean so much more than to me!” I dragged my hands through my hair, desperate to make her see what I was trying to say. Which I knew that I wasn’t making any sense because I didn’t even fucking know what I was getting at.

She sagged against my chest, her fists clutching my jacket like it was her only anchor. “You found me,” she murmured, her voice thick with emotion.

I let her rest there for a moment, letting the weight of my words settle between us. But just as quickly, she shoved me away, her anger bubbling back to the surface. “Well, you found me, Cipher. What now? Lock me up like some prisoner? Treat me like I’m still a victim?”

“Stop fighting me, Mila,” I growled, my patience fraying. “It’s not going to work anymore. And neither is running. You want out? Then prove to me that I can trust you.”

Her eyes flared with disbelief, her hand flying to her chest in mock horror. “Thatyoucan trustme?”

“That’s right,” I said, my voice firm. “Trust works both ways here.”

She stared at me, her breathing uneven, her walls rebuilding brick by brick. “What does that mean? You’ll let me move around like a free woman if I play by your rules?”

“It means I’ll give you freedom when you show me that you’re not going to self-destruct the second my back is turned. You want to help around here? Fine. Start with Soul. She’s been asking for help with the kids. You stick close to the Inn, and you stay in my sight.”

Mila scoffed, her lips twisting into a bitter smile. “Babysitting duty. How generous.”

“You think this is a game?” I snapped, stepping closer. “This is your life we’re talking about, Mila. If you want it back, then fight for it. Prove to me you’re not going to run back to the hell I dragged you out of.”

Her defiance faltered for a moment, her gaze dropping to the floor before darting back to mine. “Fine,” she said through clenched teeth. “I’ll stay. But don’t think for a second that I trust you, Cipher.”

“Fair enough,” I replied, my voice softening just enough to let her know I wasn’t her enemy. “But one day, you will.”

She didn’t respond, just turned away, her shoulders tight with tension as she crossed the room. I watched her go, the weight of her pain settling like lead in my chest. She could hate me all she wanted if kept her alive. But one way or another, I’d make sure Yulian Volkov never got his hands on her again—even if it meant becoming the monster she thought I already was.

MILA

The icy morning air bit at my skin as I stepped out of the Inn, the world around me blanketed in snow. The mountains rose against the pale winter sky, surrounding us, the sunlight spilling golden streaks across the untouched frost that coated the grounds. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, I wasn’t staring at four suffocating walls. The scent of damp earth mingled with crisp pine needles, and the faint crunch of snow beneath my boots whispered promises of freedom.

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