Page 58 of Savage Reign

Valeria laughs lightly while it feels like my throat is closing up. “In that case,” she remarks, “please excuse me while I get the staff started on loading your car.”

My nerves feel like live wires under my skin as Nikolai stalks toward me, slowly tucking a strand of hair behind my ears. “You have no idea what a tease it’s been watching you try on clothes all day.”

Instinctually, I step out of his reach. One wrong move, and he’d feel the phone stuffed into the waistband of my jean shorts. “I didn’t mean for it to be,” I say robotically.

His eyebrows pull together. “Everything okay?”

“Of course.” I rub at my temples. “Only a headache. It’s been a long day.”

He tilts his head. “You did raise over three hundred thousand dollars for your efforts.” When I don’t respond, a shadow passes over his expression. “Let’s go. I have painkillers in the car.”

I nod and follow him out of the changing area. As I thank Valeria and the staff on the way out, my thoughts are already miles away. If I pull this off, I could be talking to Liza sooner than I ever imagined possible.

CHAPTER

TWENTY

SOFIYA

The car rideback to the estate is quiet. Nikolai doesn’t push me to talk. He offers me a painkiller, water, and his crumpled jacket, telling me to use it as a pillow.

I lean against the window, my eyes closed, inhaling the faint scent of his cologne, all the while wondering why I’m starting to feel safe with the man who could destroy me.

As soon as we get back to the estate, I tell Nikolai I’m going to lie down and dash to my bedroom, shutting the door behind me. I’m well aware that there are cameras in here, so I head into the bathroom instead and lock the door behind me.

Stepping into the shower, I huddle in the corner, trying to convince myself that even Nikolai wouldn’t stoop to putting security cameras in here.

I pull the phone out of my shorts and stare at it. It’s password-protected, but I’ll find a way to break in, even if it takes all night. Once Valeria realizes it’s gone, chances are she’ll cut off service to her phone.

I tilt the phone under the light, searching for clues. Smudges on the screen catch my eye, hinting at the most-used areas. Carefully, I try a few combinations, tracing the patterns left behind. I hold my breath with each attempt, but none work. On the third try, the screen freezes. “Too many failed attempts. Locked for one minute.”

“Shit,” I mutter under my breath, pacing the room.

When the timer resets, I try the next obvious thing—generic PINs. “0000.” Nothing. “1234.” Still locked. I press my palms to my temples, frustration building.

I need another plan. A memory sparks, something I’d seen in a movie: a glitch involving emergency calls. It’s a long shot, but at this point, I’ve got nothing to lose.

I tap the “Emergency Call” button and hold the power button, my pulse pounding in my ears. For a second, nothing happens. Then, the screen flickers, and the lock screen disappears.

My mouth falls open as the home screen loads.

I stare, breathless. “No way.”

Blood pounds in my ears as I dial Liza’s number. It hasn’t been that long since I last saw her, and yet it feels like the Earth has shifted on its axis. Everything in my world has changed.

“Privet,” she answers on the second ring, her voice cautious, maybe because of the unfamiliar number.

Hearing her voice stirs something inside me. “Liza, it’s me.”

“Sofiya!” A sob rips from her throat. “Oh my God, are you all right? Has he hurt you? The tattoo…” Her voice breaks.

Shit. Nikolai told them about the tattoo! A wave of heat rushes through me, chased by guilt because, if I’m honest, he didn’t force it on me. Not that I wanted his mark, but I willingly played his game. Still, that’s not a story she needs to hear.

“I'm okay. I promise it’s not that bad,” I assure her. I inhale, forcing the next words out. “And he hasn’t hurt me... physically, at least.”

What would Liza think if she saw me today, shopping with Nikolai? He insisted I buy half the store while promising to match every dollar in a donation to a charity of my choice. He’s not a good man, but he might not be the monster I once thought either. He’s lived through more than his fair share of pain and suffering, and there’s nothing more human than that.

I don’t know how to explain any of this to her because I can barely make sense of it myself. How would it sound if I defended Nikolai and told her he’s not what he seems? Nikolai has caused her so much pain, but he’s not the only one to blame. If I’d made different choices that night, maybe none of this would be happening.

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