Page 50 of Chain Me

“Not your concern.” He shifts his weight, subtly positioning himself to block my path. “Stay in the authorized areas, Ms. Lebedev.”

“He can’t just—” I clench my fists at my sides. “After everything, he can’t just disappear.”

“He can do whatever he wants.” Viktor’s eyes narrow slightly. “As can the rest of the Ivanovs. You’d do well to remember that.”

The dismissal in his tone makes my blood boil. “So, I’m supposed to sit here like a good little prisoner while he?—”

“Yes.” One word, final and cold.

I storm past him, shoulder-checking his massive frame even though it’s like hitting a brick wall. My fury carries me through the compound, frustration mounting with each step. It’s not like I expected anything from Erik—we’re enemies, for god’s sake—but this disappearing act after everything we’ve shared feels like a slap in the face.

I’m rounding the corner toward the library when I collide with someone. Strong hands steady me before I can fall.

“Whoa there.” Alexi’s voice is was lighter than Erik’s, but with that same hint of an accent.

I jerk back, surprised to find one of the elusive Ivanovs. “Where the hell is your brother?”

Alexi raises an eyebrow. “Hello to you, too.”

“Don’t.” I step closer, invading his space. “Where is Erik? Why did he disappear again? Is this some kind of sick game you all play?”

Something flickers across Alexi’s face—concern, maybe, or calculation. It’s hard to tell with these men.

“Actually,” Alexi says, a strange smile playing at the corners of his mouth, “you don’t need to worry about my brother’s whereabouts anymore.”

I cross my arms. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means,” he continues, leaning against the wall with casual indifference, “that you’ll be going home soon. Back to Daddy Dearest.” His eyes glitter with amusement. “The arrangements are being finalized as we speak.”

The words hit me like a physical blow. “What?”

“You’re being returned to your father. The situation has... evolved.” Alexi watches my face carefully, clearly enjoying my reaction. “The Ivanovs no longer require your presence here.”

My chest tightens painfully. “When?”

“Midnight.” He shrugs like it’s nothing. “Don’t look so devastated. I thought you’d be happy about returning to your precious freedom.”

I struggle to keep my expression neutral, but the effort makes my jaw ache. Alexi seems to be feeding off my distress, his smile widening slightly as he studies me.

“Does Erik know?” The question escapes before I can stop it.

“Of course. Who do you think made the arrangements?”

The betrayal cuts deeper than I could have imagined. After everything—the vulnerability, the moments shared, the secrets exchanged—he couldn’t even face me himself. I’m nothing but a transaction to be completed.

“I see,” I manage, my voice unnervingly steady despite the storm raging inside me.

“Did you think it was something else?” Alexi tilts his head. “That my brother developed feelings for his captive? How tragically romantic.”

I want to slap the smirk off his face, but more than that, I want to understand why Erik would share our intimate moments with me only to discard me without a word. The anger bubbling in my veins is matched only by the hollow ache spreading through my chest.

"He should have told me himself," I say quietly.

"Perhaps," Alexi agrees, pushing off from the wall. "But you know how he is. Erik's always been more comfortable handling danger than dealing with emotions. He's been trying to protect you in his own way, even if it's misguided."

I walk away from Alexi, my legs somehow carrying me forward even as his words tear through me like shrapnel. Each step echoes in the empty hallway. Two days. Maybe three. Back to my father.

The kitchen is empty when I arrive—small mercies. My hands shake as I yank open cabinets, searching until I find whatI need. Erik’s private stash of whiskey sits on the top shelf, expensive bottles lined up like soldiers. I grab the Macallan 18, the seal already broken.

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