Page 78 of Sinful Scars

“I’m not your property, Alexei. You can’t control me.”

“No, but if Massimowere to find out?—”

“I swear if you involve my uncle in this…”

IknewI shouldn’t have come here tonight. I had a bad feeling the moment Lucia kept messaging to double check that I was coming, and I shouldn’t have been so quick to dismiss it.

“Don’t give us a reason to.”

“I…I need to go,” I mutter, suddenly feeling too exhausted to fight.

“Elle…” Lucia’s voice breaks, but I don’t give her a chance to try and convince me to stay before I’m storming out of the kitchen.

“Let her go…” Mikhail says as I head down the hall and throw open the front door.

It’s interesting that you’re able to place so much trust in this man.

Dr. Mills’ words echo in my head as I slam the front door shut behind me and begin the walk back to my apartment.

I’m not one to trust easily. Ever since I lost my family in that fire, I’ve always been terrified at the thought of losing anyone else I love. It’s why I push any romantic partner away the moment it gets serious, why I never open myself up to new friends. For fear of the pain of losing them too.

But with him, I’ve never once felt that way. Whenever he’s around, it’s like all my anxieties vanish, and I can finally be at peace.

But what if that was his plan all along?

I stumble as the thought hits me.

“No,” I whisper, my eyes welling with tears.

Was I the weak link in all of this? If he really is Lev, has he been using me as a way to get close to the Koslovs so he can take them down once and for all?

But if that were true, why would he have come clean and admit everything to Nina?

“Oh god.” I cover my face with my hands as a heavy weight settles on my chest.

None of this is adding up, and the only way I’m going to find out the truth is if I confront him myself.

Tonight.

21

LEV

I pullmy hood lower over my eyes as I climb the fire escape as quietly as I can. Elle’s bedroom light is off, but I have a feeling she’ll be waiting up for me.

I haven’t been back to visit since the other night when we slept together, but for good reason.

It was selfish of me to give in to my own need to have her. Knowing who I am, what I’vedone…

Elle deserves a hell of a lot better than me.

After speaking with Nina the other day, her warning has played on repeat in my mind ever since.

I can’t keep this from my family, Lev.

Her family.

The one that was torn apart by grief because of me.

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