Irina's POV
I stood by the window, watching as the brothers who had once loved each other almost kill each other because of me.
Dmitri had ordered his men to kill his brother!
My world stopped.
Mikhail had interfered and stopped the war.
I placed my hand on my stomach. I still could not believe a life was growing inside me. A baby. The result of one terrible, confusing night with Alexei.
My heart felt heavy. Dimitri and Alexei, brothers who shared the same face, were now enemies because of me. I did not want this. I just wanted peace.
After a long and heated argument, Alexei walked away.
The door opened. I turned to see Dimitri walk in. His knuckles were stained with his brother's blood, and his eyes were dark with anger. But when he saw me, his expression softened.
He came to me and wrapped his arms around me without a word. He buried his face in my hair, breathing deeply. I could feel the tension in his body.
"Dimitri…" I started.
"There will be a council meeting tomorrow night," he interrupted, his voice rough. "All the Pakhans will decide. They will decide who you belong to."
My blood ran cold. "I don't want to..h."-
"It is our way," he said, his voice cracked. He cupped my face. "And I will make sure they decide you are mine."
"And if they don't?" I whispered, fear clutching my throat. "What will you do? Will you accept it? Or will you start a war?"
He looked into my eyes, and I saw the truth there. It was terrifying.
"I will do whatever it takes to keep you," he said quietly. "Even if it means burning the whole world down."
My eyes widened. "You cannot mean that."
"I mean every word."
Before I could argue, a guard appeared at the door. His face was white as a sheet.
"Sir," he said, his voice urgent. "You need to come. Now. There has been an attack."
Dimitri's body went rigid. "What attack?"
"On Alexei's convoy. Someone ambushed them on the road back to his estate. There were… many casualties." The guard swallowed hard. "And sir… Alexei is missing."
My hand flew to my mouth. Missing? Alexei?
For a moment, a strange, dark look passed over Dimitri's face. It was there and gone in a flash, but I saw it. It looked like… relief.
My heart sank.
He chuckled. "Problem solved."
"No, Dmitri. You must find him," I said, my voice trembling."
He looked at me, confused. "Why? He is my enemy. Thanks to whoever took him, he is out of our way."
"No, Dimitri, listen to me!" I grabbed his arm. "If you do not go, if you do not search for him, everyone will think you did it. They will think you planned the attack to kill your brother! The council will never give me to you then."
I saw the understanding dawn in his eyes, followed by frustration. He did not want to look for Alexei. He was glad he was gone.
"He tried to take you from me," he growled.
"He is your brother!" I pleaded. "And this is a trap. Can you not see? You must go. You must take your men and find him. You have to show everyone you are innocent."
He stared at me for a long moment, I could see the conflict raging in his eyes. Finally, he let out a sharp breath.
"You are right," he grumbled. "It is what a Pakhan must do."
I nodded, relief flooding through me. "You should go."
He took my hand, and led me through a hallway. He opened a room with a key. It was large and luxurious.
"You will wait here," he said. "It is the safest room in the house. The door locks from the outside. No one can get in."
Fear prickled down my spine. "You are locking me in?"
"To keep you safe," he said, his voice softening. He cupped my face with his hands. "Irina, you are everything to me . I cannot lose you. I will come back for you. I promise."
He leaned closer and before I could speak, his lips crashed on mine.
My eyes widened, but I did not pull away, I leaned in.
It was not a gentle kiss. It was a wet, desperate kiss. It was long and deep, filled with all his fear and possession. I could not breathe. When he finally pulled away, we were both gasping for air.
"I will be back," he whispered, his forehead resting against mine.
I didn't want him to go. I didn't want it to end. But his brother was missing.
"Prepare the car," Dimitri ordered a guard standing outside. "We will go to the scene."
The guard nodded and hurried away.
Dimitri turned back to me. "I must go."
I nodded, releasing his hands.
He turned and walked out. I heard the key turn in the lock. I was a prisoner again, but this time, for my own safety.
I sat on the edge of the large bed, listening as the house fell silent. I heard the sound of multiple cars starting and driving away from below, echoing in the dark. He must have taken everyone with him.
I was alone.
Hours passed. And rain started falling hard. My mind wandered to Dmitri. Was he good?
I dozed off, curled up on the pillows, surrounded flavoury scent of mint and rose flowers.
Then I heard the rattling of a door handle.
My eyes snapped open.
The handle of the bedroom door was jiggling violently. Someone was trying to get in.
My blood turned to ice. I sat up, my heart hammering against my ribs.
Was it Dmitri?
But he had the key, he would not try to break into his own room.
Or had he lost the key on his way?
Was it the people who attacked Alexei? Had they come for me? For my baby? Had they found out I was here, alone and unprotected?
The rattling grew more frantic, and more forceful. Someone was definitely trying to break in.
Oh God.
My hands flew to my mouth.
Then, THUD!
A powerful kick slammed into the heavy wood. The door shook in its frame.
It came again. THUD!
A crack appeared near the lock.
I scrambled off the bed, backing away into the farthest corner of the room. I was trapped. There was nowhere to run.
THUD!
With a final, sickening hit, the door splintered an
d burst open. It swung inward, hitting the wall with a bang.
A figure stood silhouetted in the doorway, tall and broad-shouldered, breathing heavily from the effort.
He stepped into the dim light of the room.
My hand flew to my mouth to stifle a scream. My eyes widened in pure, utter shock.
It was Alexei!