Page 53 of Deceitful Vows

“They can get to us, Paige! No matter where we are.” Emma walks over to the chair where I’m seated and sits beside me on the ground. She’s careful not to look at me directly. “They hurt me when they took me.”

“Emma …”

She lifts a hand to silence me. Emma knows she has to say it quick or not at all. “One night, a guard came into my room. He got into bed with me, and if another guard hadn’t stopped him …” She takes a long shuddering breath before continuing. “That was a constant threat when Talia wasn’t around. Iaskedto be locked in that awful room. They didn’t see me as a person. They saw me as atoyto be played with. Because I was an outsider. Because I wasn’t Bratva, even if my sister was the pakhan’s wife.”

I place my hand on Emma’s shoulder and try to comfort her, but what can I say or do? I caused this. I’m the reason why she’s suffering.

“I’m not trying to be difficult, Paige, or cause you problems.” She meets my gaze, and I can see how much this hurts her. “But I can’t be here anymore. I can’t wait for you and Andrei to sell me to Stefan or any of the other Bratva princes. I want Viktor. I’ve always wanted Viktor.”

Viktor steps forward. “Are you sure you won’t come with us, Paige Geraldovna?” he asks softly.

“He’ll come after you, both of you,” I warn them. “But you might have a chance if I stay. When are you leaving?”

“In the morning,” Emma replies. “Viktor will drive me to school, and we won’t be returning.”

I hold tight to Emma’s hand, keeping her from leaving too soon. I raised her, and I was there when things were rotten. When Dad and Mom split up and when Dad was ill. But I never thought I would cause her more pain. I didn’t want that. And I have to do everything I can to let Emma go.

“Emma,” I whisper. “Take the safe. Only go to the address written inside when you need money.”

Emma smiles sadly. “Right now, my life means more to me than Dad’s money.”

“It’s not Dad’s money.” I smile sadly. “It’s my jewelry, and you’re going to need it. Please, or I’ll worry about you more.”

Emma kisses my forehead but turns away quickly before I can see her cry. They slip past the garage door, silhouetted by the moonlight. I can barely hear her voice as she speaks to Viktor over the shouting outside. There’s a final shot, but it doesn’t come from the house. It comes from the depths of the woods.

Chapter 34

Paige

Even a month later, I can still feel the terror I felt that night. The memory of the intruder is forever etched in my mind, and I often find myself waking up in a cold sweat. My hands reach for Andrei to make sure that he is there. Though the nightmare is over, the fear lingers.

I didn’t tell Andrei when Emma left.

But in his office, I discuss it now, seated alone on the couch. “Will you go after them?” I ask.

“No,” he says, frowning at his laptop. “They’ll have enough challenges.”

“I worry about her. About them.”

He holds up his hand. “Enough. We both explained the risks to them. They have to face it on their own. We have our own mess to clean up as a result of this.”

I get up slowly, intending to leave his office to take a walk outside. Andrei sounds so cold and hateful; would he have this same attitude if I had left? No. He would’ve brought me back kicking and screaming until the mansion fell down.

“They’re at your father’s house,” he says before I can open the door. “She could’ve had a prince.”

“And live the life I have?” It slips out before I can stop myself, and Andrei’s eyes narrow on me as I seek words to recover quickly.

He holds up his hand again. “I treat you well, Paige. Another woman in your position would have no complaints.”

“Like Talia?” I quip.

He scoffs while shaking his head. “You’re wearing out that old excuse.”

“Am I?” I place my hands on my hips. “You’ve told me no details of the meeting you had with her.”

Andrei pins me with a dark look he usually reserves for his least favorite guards. “Perhaps because it has nothing to do with you.”

“Don’t lie to me, Andrei.” I shake my head. “Everything in your life has something to do with me. I gave you a pass that night and did not press for more. But you owe me the truth.”

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