Page 107 of Sinful Scars

When Elle finally comes to as I’m walking into the main living space, she blinks up at me. Her eyes are a little unfocused, and it’s likely she might have a mild concussion. But I can’t risk taking her to a hospital just yet.

“We’re back at the cabin.” I set her down on her feet in the middle of the small living area, keeping my hands on her waist in case she’s a little unsteady. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

“You killed my family,” Elle whispers, a deep crease forming between her dark eyebrows. “You’ve already hurt me more than you could possibly know.”

She’s slipping further and further away with each word she speaks.

But I can’t let her go until she’s safe once and for all.

“Elle, I need you to listen to me.” I automatically go to cup her face, to offer her some comfort like I have done so many times before, but she bats my hand away.

“Getoffme!” She shoves at my chest.

Her cheeks are stained pink as her anger flares, and she manages to use enough force against me that I stumble backwards.

“Elle—”

“Take me home,now! I swear to god, Lev, you’re going to pay for what you’ve done.” She shoves at my chest again, and my hands wrap around her wrists to hold her in place.

I’ve never seen Elle so wild, and I can’t deny that a little part of me is impressed she’s putting up such a fight.

“I need you to listen to me, Elle.”

“Fuck you.” She pulls against my hold.

“Igor is the one who started the fire that night.” I don’t let go of her wrists. “He told me we were going to your house so he could talk to your father, and that I had to come along.”

“I don’t want to hear this.” Her voice cracks and tears start streaming down her cheeks.

“I know, I’m so sorry, but you need to know.”

She shakes her head, her lower lip wobbling as she stares at the ground, but she stops fighting against my hold, so I take that as my sign to continue.

“He told me to wait outside while he went to talk to your father, and that’s when I saw you up at the window. I think I frightened you because you jumped out of sight. But then I caught you peeking again, and it made me smile.”

Elle’s face crumbles, and I fight the urge to wipe away the tears that are streaming down her cheeks.

“And then…” My throat tightens, and I have to take a second to gather myself. “Igor was inside, and there was a lot of yelling. Then, dozens of his men were dousing the place with gasoline and the next thing I knew, the entire house was up in flames.”

“Lev, please,” Elle sobs.

Her entire body is trembling, and I risk turning her wrists over so I can gently stroke my thumbs across the delicate skin.

“I’m so sorry, Elle.”

“Did you know what he was planning?”

“He never told me specifically, but I wasn’t ignorant to Igor’s reputation. I knew he would be planning on doingmore than just talking with your father. At the time, I couldn’t understand why Igor had brought me along instead of my brother Maxim. He was older and more experienced. But whatever his reasoning, I’m glad he brought me because otherwise, that fire would have claimed you too.”

Elle’s shoulders shake with silent sobs as I speak.

“I heard you screaming through your open window, and I—” This time, my voice cracks, and my throat tightens as her phantom screams haunt me.

The memory flashes through my mind so clearly, as if it was yesterday.

“I yelled at Igor to get you out, but he only laughed. When he realized that I was going in after you, he threatened to kill me, but I didn’t care. I couldn’t just leave you to die. So, I ran into the house and found you passed out in your room.”

“I still wake up thinking I’m trapped in that room,” Elle whispers. “I can still hear my father shouting. I can still smell the smoke. Sometimes, I wish that I had died in that fire too because that way I would be with them now and not living with the pain of losing them.”

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