Page 9 of Taming a Ruthless Heart

“I’m afraid he might snap and hurt her badly.She’s so fragile,” she offers, too quickly.

I catch a dark glimpse in her eyes.“What else?”

“Nothing.”

I can’t shake off the suspicion there’s more to this story.I run my fingers through my hair, letting out an exasperated sigh.“Alexia, don’t insult my intelligence.We’re going around in circles.I know you’re lying.Now, spill it!”

“Igor…” She hesitates, wringing her hands, before finally confessing, “He’s involved in human trafficking.”

That explains her fear for her own safety.

“He knows you’ve found out.”

She nods a couple of times.

“Why didn’t you tell me this at that fucking dinner?”I demand, my eyes narrowing as I search her face for any hint of manipulation.

“I was scared…” she murmurs, barely lifting her gaze.

My instincts scream that Alexia could be playing me.But the memory of the fear in her voice on the phone returns with full force.That desperation—I’d never heard anything like that from her.It was real.She’d have to be an award-winning actress to pull off that kind of deceit.

“We need to put an end to his operation,” I say firmly.“Bring justice to those victims of Igor’s greed.”My heart crumbles s at the thought of Alexia being in danger.I grasp her hand in mine.The weight of her trembling fingers remind me of what we once had—and lost.“I promise you.I won’t let that monster lay a finger on you or your child.”

“Thank you, Dave.”Tears well up in her eyes.

Conflicting emotions war within me—fear for their safety, anger toward Igor, but the determination to protect Alexia and Rose wins.

“We’ll figure out a plan to keep you hidden until we can take down Igor and his allies,” I reassure her, squeezing her hand tightly.“I won’t rest until it’s done.”

She slowly withdraws her hand from mine, her gaze dropping to the floor again for a second, before she looks back up at me, fire returning behind her eyes.“You said you’re taking me to Rose today, right?”she presses, her voice rising with fear and urgency.“I need to see her.I need to know she’s safe.”

“Roseis safe,” I reply, my tone hard because there’s the topic of Alina’s disturbing death that I still need to bring up.

“She is?”she sighs but narrows her eyes, catching the emphasis I gave her daughter’s name.“What do you mean?What else happened?”

I rake my fingers through my hair as I fight the gruesome memories of the scene inside the warehouse.“Look, I hate to be the one to tell you this.Something did happen last night and Alina’s dead.I’m so sorry.”

Her breath hitches and she staggers backward.Her eyes widen, filling with primal grief.A sob claws its way out, ragged and uncontrolled.

I clench my fists at my sides, fighting the overwhelming need to hold her.She’s not mine to comfort, no matter how badly I want to pull her close.

“What… what happened to her?”she chokes out.

I hesitate, knowing the truth would shatter her further.“Igor’s men got to her before my brothers and I could.”

She stares at me, lips trembling as she tries to process what I’ve just told her.The weight of it all is crashing down on her; I can see the cracks.She’s no longer the fierce, defiant woman I once knew.She’s scared, vulnerable, and for a heartbeat, I feel a flicker of something—something I can’t afford to feel.

“She didn’t deserve that,” Alexia whispers, her voice barely audible.

“No,” I agree, my voice rough.“She didn’t.”

The room falls into an uncomfortable silence, with the weight of everything unsaid pressing down on us.I step back, putting distance between us.“I’ll have Moira bring you some clothes I bought for you yesterday.Get ready.We’re leaving in an hour to go to Rose.”

I turn and head for the door, shutting it behind me, though every instinct demands I stay by her side.Outside, I brace myself against the wall, pressing a hand to the cool plaster, grounding myself.My pulse still races, and I close my eyes briefly, willing away the memory of her scent, her touch, lingering on my skin like an ache I don’t want to feel.

I can’t afford to lose control.Not now when so much hangs in the balance.

4

---