Page 102 of Sinful Scars

“I feel like I should be offended.”

The muscle in Mikhail’s jaw ticks, and I decide not to try and crack any more jokes to hide my discomfort.

“There had to be something that I’d missed, so I got my private investigator involved.”

Lucia nods. “Rosa is a shark. Absolutely terrifying woman but the best in the business.”

“So, I take it you found something?” A heavy weight settles on my chest.

The reason behind Lev’s obsession with me is something I’ve always wondered about too, but from the look on Mikhail’s face, I’m not sure I want to know the answer.

“Rosa decided to look into the fire that killed your brother and parents.”

“Why? What has that got to do with Lev?”

“It turns out, it haseverythingto do with Lev, as well as Igor Ivanov.”

My heart starts to sink.

“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying that Lev is the reason your family is dead, Elle. And I think he’s resurfaced to try and finish what he started.”

“That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.”

“It’s true.”

“No.” I clutch at my throat as I struggle to take a breath. “N-no that’s…that’s impossible.”

My body has gone into shock.

I can barely hear what Mikhail is saying over the ringing in my ears.

This can’t be true.

I won’tallowit to be true.

Because how could I be falling in love with the man who is responsible for murdering my parents and brother?

“T-there has to be some mistake?—”

I gasp as the memory of the boy in the grounds flashes in my mind.

Those eyes…

Lev’s eyes.

All this time, he was there.

He was there and he didnothingas my house went up in flames, as my parents and little brother suffocated to death and theirremains turned to ash.

And yet, the burns on his neck and hands suggest otherwise.

“Oh, my god.” I know why I survived that night.

He came back for me.

But why?

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