Page 18 of Darkest Desire
“Mikhail-,” Natalya says.
“No. This has to be said.” He bores his intense eyes right into mine. It’s a wonder Natalya can even look at her own husband.He’s a force to be reckoned with. “We just saved your life. Show a little gratitude.”
“You’re not my father,” I snap back. That has always been my problem: my big mouth. It led to groundings growing up more times than I can count.
“No. But I am the man who just saved your life and I wouldn’t have if it weren’t for Natalya. Do you think I care for you and your other sisters? I don’t. I only care because Natalya cares. I’m doing this for her. So be grateful you’re here.” He walks over to Natalya, who sets her hands on his chest, getting him to calm down.
The two of them share a silent conversation with each other. I’m struck by it. I’ve never seen my older sister act like this before. Never seen her have this sort of connection with someone.
I wonder if that’s what marriage is like. Would I have had that if I remained with Nico?
There’s love in Natalya’s eyes for her husband. He returns the same passionate look. I avert my own gaze, feeling like I’m intruding.
Natalya turns back to me. “Sasha, I get that you’re upset. You have a multitude of emotions inside of you. But let’s not fight. We can work together to get our sisters back. In time. But it will happen.”
I want to believe my sister but she let me down when she left to be with Mikhail. It always felt like she had abandoned us in our time of need.
But she’s here now, I remind myself. And the love she had in her eyes for Mikhail is also directed at me. She loves me and even though I don’t always like my sister, I know I love her too.
With a deep sigh, I slump onto the couch. “Ok. I just… I just feel so bad leaving them with Denis. What if they got hurt in the shootout? Will we ever know?”
“I’ll find out,” Mikhail says as Natalya sits down beside me. He goes into the kitchen and calls someone.
“Look at this,” I say, nodding at my wedding dress. “I feel ridiculous.”
“I think you look beautiful.”
“Mom picked out the dress.” My fingers fiddle with the fabric. A part of me wants to tear this dress a part and another part of me wants to preserve it at all costs.
“It looks great on you so it makes sense she picked it out. She always has such a good sense of style.”
“She really does.” We share a smile for a short moment before I frown again. “I hope she’ll be ok. She has to be so strong for our family but I know she’s breaking. Denis is slowly tearing her down.”
“We’ll get her out too. I promise you.” She places her hand over mine. “I know we haven’t always gotten along. But I am always here for you. Always.”
When I look into her eyes, I believe her. There’s too much sincerity there for me not to believe her.
For a second, I believe that everything will be all right. It has to be.
And then the front door bursts open and Nico steps on through.
I gasp as Natalya grabs my hand and pulls me to the floor as he raises his gun.
Mikhail lifts his own gun but Nico fires at him, barely missing as Mikhail ducks behind the table. Mikhail tries shooting again but Nico dives to the side.
Right at the same time, both men run at each other, colliding in the middle of the room. They throw punches and kicks and hits. They even try biting each other. It’s a bloody, disgusting mess.
Until Nico manages to kick Mikhail’s leg and send Mikhail to the ground, getting on top of him. Nico begins to rain down punches onto Mikhail’s face.
“Stop it!” Natalya cries, running forward and pulling at Nico’s arm. He just shakes her off and resumes hitting Mikhail. “Stop it! You’re killing him. You’re killing him!” The sobs that wrack her body will haunt me forever.
I see the utter pain on Natalya’s face and know that she can’t lose her husband. She loves him too much.
I have to do something.
I run to Nico. “Stop. I’ll go with you.”
He pauses his assault on Mikhail’s face. Mikhail only groans, looking barely conscious. “You’ll go with me?”
