Page 2 of Pas de Trois
I run a shaking hand through my hair.
Nikolai lifts a hand at us, only just barely able to move it above the floor. “I can keep them safe. I can keep Anya safe. But she must…” he pants, “Anya must come back with me to Mikhailov Manor.”
Anya and I look at each other with strain painting our expressions. We both know our options—and we both know the consequences—but the truth is that there isn’t really a choice.
If we flee, they will only hunt us down.
If we go back to Mikhailov Manor, we may never leave again. But maybe Nikolai can keep Anya safe from them. The contradiction of everything I thought I was certain about is a total mind fuck.
Anya sighs, her eyes falling as her chest sinks. She turns her head to look down at Nikolai. “It’s not enough to keep me safe. Can you keep us both safe? Can you promise that, Nikolai?”
“No. I can’t promise that. But I do promise I can keep you safe.” Nikolai holds her gaze as he pauses, taking a few haggard breaths. “I have things you’ll need to show them. Hidden away. Come back with me and I’ll help you. I can’t do anything if you run, Anya. Get on the plane back to Russia with me and I’ll call off the watch on your sister.”
A tear slips down her cheek and I reach out to brush it away. She looks at me and the sadness I see in her eyes physically hurts me. “You can still run. You can run when we land. They won’t need to come after you. I’m the one who killed Vigo…I’m the one they want. I can…I’ll find a way to keep Emma safe. You can run and be free.”
She’s giving me permission to run without her.
She wants me to run without her?
Fuck, no.
I grab her face with both hands and lean close. “I’m not leaving you. I’m not running without you. If the only way to keep you safe is to take you back, then we’re going back to Russia together. I don’t care what they do to me, but I’m not leaving you on your own. It’s you and me, okay? I’m gonna make sure Nikolai keeps his promise.”
“But you could be free, Ezra. I—”
“Don’t argue with me. We’re going back together. It’s already been decided. I told you before, my life is nothing without you.” She’s fucking crazy if she thinks I’m gonna leave her.
She presses her eyes shut and with a sigh of acceptance, nods. Her hands come up to grip my wrists, holding my hands in place against her cheeks.
“Mine?” she asks.
“Always fucking yours,” I reply.
If we’re going back, if the four families are coming after us seeking vengeance and blood, I will make damn fucking sure that the blood they spill isn’t my blue-eyed girl’s.
