Alexei’s POV

Our bags were packed and ready to go. It’s been a week since Emily got shot. She and my mother were getting along like a house on fire and it was kind of nerve-racking. I always thought my mother would probably hate the girls I bring home.

But then again, Emily wasn’t like other girls I dated. She was kind and not at all after my money. In fact, I don’t even think she knows how rich I am and I’m 100% sure she is an heiress to millions herself.

My mother took Emily into her arms and whispered something into her ear that I couldn’t hear. Emily smiled and it sent a shiver down my spine. She’s been smiling more this week then since I’ve met her.

Her wound was healing well and the doctor gave her the go-to fly. It was time that we got home and I took care of Mia. She’s been weighing on my mind the whole week and I’ve kept in touch with Oleg.

Emily took my hand, bringing me out of my own thoughts. I smiled down at the short blond girl that fitted perfectly under my arm. Her jeans and loose t-shirt sat comfortably on her body and it looked like she was ready to just take a nap.

I thought back to the conversation we had 2 days after she got shot. I didn’t think it was going to go that way but her telling me that she still, even knowing what happened wouldn’t change a thing.

I led Emily out of the house, onto the deck in the backyard. She was wrapped in a blanket with new bandages on her wound. She hadn’t spoken to me the whole morning and I was worried and hurt that maybe she would say yes and stay in Saint Pietersburg.

She looked out over the garden that my mother’s been working on for 4 years. I looked down at the floor nervously and swallowed the knot in my throat. She sighed and she started talking. “What’s on your mind, Alexei?”

I rubbed my hand together, hoping to warm them up. “I want to say sorry again, for getting you into this mess. It shouldn’t have been you and Mia shouldn’t have been able to reach you.” Emily looked up at me with a frown.

“Alexei, even knowing what I know now, I wouldn’t change a single thing. Being with you these last few weeks have been the best. Better then what I expected of Moscow.” I looked at her, wanting to pull her into my arms and kiss her breath away.

“Emily, I hear you. But I need to know I gave you options.” She frowned once again and I wanted to wipe those lines away. “Options?” I nodded and turned so that I wasn’t facing her. “One is we go back to Moscow together and I take care of Mia, the other is that you stay in Saint Pietersburg, as originally planned and I’ll send your things to you.”

Before she said anything I continued, “If you use option 2, I’ll leave and you’ll never see me again. I’d be out of your life and nobody will hurt you ever again. If you take option 1, you need to know that you might get hurt just by knowing me.”

Honestly the fact that she chose to leave with me made my heart feel tight in a good way. I wanted to stay with her and keep her safe. “Let’s go.” I grabbed Emily’s bag and placed it in the bag of the black sedan.

« • x • x • x • »

“I’m going upstairs to unpack.” My eyes followed Emily as she and a maid walked up the stairs to our room. We weren’t at the hotel anymore. I brought her to my home, closer to my office. I’d only been staying in the hotel because the house was being renovated and the people were loud.

I simply nodded and stayed watch until they reached the top. When they passed the corner I walked to my office and called Oleg. “She’s in the basement. Hasn’t seen light in a week. I’ve fed her once a day and gave her water and also a bucket.”

We continued the conversation for a few minutes when Emily walked into my office and I ended the call. “Was that about Mia?” I nodded and she sat down on my lap with her arms around my neck. “Where is she?” I sighed, wondering if I should tell her.

After a few seconds debating I answered, “She here. On the grounds, more like underground.” Emily sat up straight and looked away. She was worried. I could feel it in the way her body tensed on top of me.

“I’ll take care of her. She won’t bother you. I promise.” Emily simply nodded, stood up, and walked out of the room. I’ll have to talk to her later. Right now, I need to get downstairs and have a nice talk with our guest-of-honor.

There weren’t many stairs that lead to the level below the house, but it was a long hall, with many cells. I had a few traitors down there. The oldest person down here was a man that kidnapped my mom 30 years ago. He was still here.

The farther I went, the colder it got. Oleg hadn’t put her in the coldest cell, but it was near freezing down here. I stood in front of the door and looked around the darkness. Luckily my eyes have adjusted.

I could see a body curled up in one corner. There was a tiny blanket, with a bottle of water and an empty tray where food was served on. I could smell the urine in the other corner. “Hello, Mia.” The body shook and uncurled itself. “You’ve kept me waiting.”

Mia’s voice was hoarse and her body was frail. Even with taking care of her, nobody’s body would stay the same once down here. “Well, of course, it was what you deserved.” She was now standing in front of me, holding onto the bars.

“No Alexei, what I deserved was someone that loved me. You used me and left me. I got the revenge that I needed. I needed to make you lose something dear to you. Tell me, how long did it take sweet precious little Emily to die?”

I chuckled and it echoed through the dark space. “Oh Mia, Emily is alive and well. In fact, if I’m correct she is probably right above you, laying in my bed, naked and waiting.” Mia’s eyes blazed with heat and she swore under her breath.

“Then kill me. Kill me for hurting the person you cared about!” I simple shrugged my shoulders and turned around. She started shouting at me to kill her as I walked away. Before I was too far I stopped and looked back.

“No Mia, I’m not done with you yet. And what’s waiting for you is a fate worse than death. Your punishment will be to never see the light of day again.” I didn’t hear anything else as I walked back and up the stairs.

**Copyright © 2020 by Grace Write**