Page 40 of Sinful Scars

Elle is now fifteen minutes late, and now that I know my father has eyes on her, I can’t help but think the worst.

If I take my eyes off her again like I did at the bar, I might not be so lucky as to get to her in time again.

I guess sleep will have to wait a little longer.

“And Alexei?” My voice shakes as I fight the rage slowly bubbling inside me.

“Nothing of note to report.”

“Seriously?”

“Seriously.”

“Something feels off about this.”

“In what way?”

“Alexei has been looking into me for years. For him to suddenly go quiet…” I hold my breath as another swarm of hospital staff exits through the double doors, my eyes furiously scanning for any sign of Elle.

If my father gets to her…

I’m all too familiar with Igor’s preferred torture methods, and a rush of nausea hits me at the thought of him getting his hands on my sweet Elle.

Perhaps, it would be worth anonymously tipping Alexei with my father’s location. He’s made it no secret that he’s been after him for years, and this way, it could kill two birds with one stone.

But if Alexei were somehow to fuck it up, it could backfire on me massively, and I’m not sure if the risk is worth it.

If I know my father at all, he would likely bargain for his life by handing over information on me to Alexei. My life is worth nothing to him, but it’s worth everything to Koslovs.

“I need you to keep someone watching my father at all times.”

“Lev—”

“There’s no way in hell he’s just going to give up and move on from this, Pyotr. The fact that Elle got away would have embarrassed him, and my father doesn’t do well withbeing embarrassed. Hewillretaliate, and it will turn into a bloodbath. I’m not going to let him get anywhere near Elle, even if it kills me in the process.”

I would think nothing of giving up my own life in exchange for Elle’s. I almost did already. I look at my scarred hands. Scars her thumb caressed.

“Are you sure this chick is worth the fall out?”

I clench my hands into fists.

“If youeverrefer to Elle as ‘this chick’ again…”

The unspoken warning hangs heavy in the air, and Pyotr is silent for a moment.

“Sorry, I meant no disrespect.”

“Keep your eyes on Igor until I figure out what to do.” Elle is now twenty minutes late, and I’m desperate to go and find out what’s keeping her.

“Will do. And, Lev?”

“Yeah.”

“Sorry again.”

“Speak soon.” I end the call and open up my door.

Just as I’m climbing out of my car, I spot Elle.

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