Page 139 of The Darkness is Calling

“We’re not done talking! What do you mean you paid the penalties?”

“With money,” he answers simply. “But we’ll continue the conversation after they arrive. You’ll understand much better everything that’s happened lately, and I’ll answer any question you have.”

I immediately look down at the ruined dress on me.

“I need a shower.”

“We’ll be here. Come back when you’re done.”

I rise from the couch, and he does the same, quickly tucking his semi-hard cock back into his trousers, along with his shirt.

In two seconds, he looks just as he did before.

I, on the other hand, am painfully aware that I am a disaster.

“Where’s the bathroom?”

“I’ll show you.”

He takes my hand, lacing his fingers with mine, even though I resist for a second. He also takes the opportunity to give me a little tour, explaining what I can find in the spacious apartment.

To my surprise, of course he also has a room with a piano, which he brought especially for me.

But the bedroom is a pleasant surprise.

“I redecorated it a few days ago,” he tells me as I step into a room in slightly warmer tones.

The dark gray is not entirely gone, but it’s combined with a pleasant shade of cream, while the splash of color comes from two large plants placed on either side of the glass wall that opens onto an enormous terrace.

“The bathroom is there.” He is pointing toward a door, then indicates a sliding wall. “And in the dressing room, you’ll find clothes to change into. In your size.”

“You bought me clothes?”

He looks at me strangely. “Plus jewelry, accessories, and shoes, of course. If you need anything else, tell me and we’ll take care of it.”

I drag a hand over my face.

“Too much is happening in far too little time,” I say with a sigh that makes him come closer.

He catches me gently by the nape, lifting my chin toward him with one finger. “I’m here.”

“Exactly. You’re the cause of this chaos,” I say, my lips pressing together slightly.

He lifts one shoulder. “And you haven’t even seen all of it yet.”

“Oh, God,” I murmur, closing my eyes, exhausted.

“You just need to trust me, dusha moya. The war has just begun, but you need to know that I will never allow anything to happen to you, even when you think there’s no way out.”

His gaze is piercing and serious, his voice truly convincing. As mentally exhausted as I am, I can only wish he’s right, because at this moment, I have no other option. Artem Voron has destroyed my chance at a normal life, throwing me back into the claws of Bratva, but he, with his mad obsession, also seems to be the only one who can keep me alive.

“Promise me,” he demands with a harsh tone. “From this moment on, you trust me. You talk to me. You tell me anything that upsets you.”

“I promise. But I hope you have a solution that gets us out of this alive, otherwise I’ll kill you with my own hands.”

“Hope has no place in our world, Katya. I rely on certainty, even though I would enjoy dying by your hand.”

I frown. “You’re insane. That is the certainty of the moment.”