Page 114 of Thorns of Love
“It’s time you and Alexei go back to your wives,” I told him seriously. “They’re starting to nag me. I know they’re nagging you.”
The knock on the door interrupted. “Come in.”
My heart did a flip, but I knew it wouldn’t be Illias. He wouldn’t knock on our bedroom door. Alexei strolled in and I smiled.
“Exactly my other favorite brother I wanted to see,” I exclaimed softly, then rose to my feet.
“I thought Sasha is your favorite,” he remarked flatly.
I grinned mischievously. “All three of you are my favorite brothers. Some days more than others.”
He rolled his eyes. Legit rolled his eyes. I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it myself.
“Alexei, did you just do an eye roll?” I teased. He shrugged, the ghost of a smile on his lips. It was good seeing my brothers happy. Content. They deserved it. They’d suffered enough in life and earned their happiness. Their families. “Okay, now. I just told Vasili and I’m going to tell you. Both of your wives are driving me nuts. My cell phone beeps all the time asking me what you’re doing. You have to go home.”
Alexei folded his arms, leaning against the doorframe. He always liked to have an exit strategy. It was part of his DNA now. It was what years of being caged and abused did to a human being.
“Sofia Volkov has to be found,” Alexei answered.
“Moy brat, that could take years,” I murmured. “She held you and Aurora prisoners. She got away. She attacked her own great-granddaughter and got away. I know Illias can keep me protected. Just as both of you can protectyourfamilies.”
The two of them shared a look, and I knew they could see my reasoning made sense. So I waited, holding my breath.
“You’ll see me for Christmas,” I murmured softly. “Nothing can keep me away from my nephews and niece. Even though Kostya is a tad bit judgmental.”
Alexei cocked his brow and I shrugged. “He told me I stunk the last time I saw him,” I added.
“Umm, he can’t talk yet,” Vasili remarked, suspicion in his eyes about my clear head.
I grinned. “Well, he talks to me.”
“Impossible,” Alexei protested matter-of-factly. “He’d talk to his papa first.”
“Go home and find out,” I uttered, half-jokingly and half-seriously.
“She’s really eager to get rid of us. Isn’t she, Brother?” Alexei asked calmly.
“I think you might be right,” Vasili agreed, letting out a sardonic breath. He stood up, then straightened his impeccable suit, the move reminding me of my husband. “Shall we then?” he asked Alexei as he joined him by the door.
“Yes, yes, he shall,” I answered on his behalf.
Then without any warning, I ran to both of them and hugged them. Alexei stiffened slightly, but then relaxed. I didn’t take it personally. It was his instinct.
“Okay, no more hugging,” I announced after a short moment. I didn’t want to torture Alexei, but I needed him to know he was as important to me as Vasili. We were family. “Now, get lost. Get lots of sleep and catch your flight out.”
Both of my brothers disappeared through the door and my eyes glanced at the clock. I let out a small breath, then counted to one hundred before I headed out. I walked out of my room, my eyes darting to the end of the hallway, before I headed downstairs.
My pulse fluttered with each step I took. I missed Illias. It was so goddamn easy to get used to him and his presence. Maybe I had an addictive personality and never noticed it until that man slammed into my life. Or maybe it was all about this man who was part of me before I even knew about him.
The first floor was empty. The entrance hall was so quiet that I thought I’d heard footsteps of old ghosts roaming the halls. I held my breath, listening. It almost sounded like an echo of moans. I frowned, or maybe they sounded more like cries.
I followed the sound. The closer I got the easier it was to distinguish the cries of pain. They carried up from below and made me shiver. I took another flight of stairs, this one made of old stone that looked to be part of the castle when it was built.
My fingernails dug into the palms of my hands and my chest squeezed. I paused for a moment, wondering if it was wise to see what was going on. Clearly, Illias nor my brothers wanted me to see it if they all feigned oblivion.
I pushed a heavy steel door open then peered down another long, dark staircase. Jesus, how far down did this castle go? I held my breath as I crept down the remaining steps.
Another cry of pain carried through the hall. It was close. I was almost there. A heavy wooden door with iron bars was just a few steps away. I swallowed and took a step closer, scared of what I might see but I knew I couldn’t stop. Not when I was so close.
