Page 3 of Salvation

I perched on the edge, my body tense. Kye leaned against the desk, his posture relaxed but his eyes intent. “Yulia, there’s something I need to explain to you,” he began. “It’s… unconventional, but it’s the best way we can keep you safe.”

My stomach clenched. “What is it?”

Kye took a breath. “We need to get married.”

I blinked, certain I’d misheard. “Married? To… to you?”

He nodded, his expression serious. “It would be in name only, of course. But it would give you legal protection, make it harder for anyone to touch you.”

My mind reeled. “But… why would you do that? You don’t even know me.”

Kye’s eyes softened. “Because it’s the right thing to do. And because I made a promise to keep you safe.”

I stared at him, searching for any hint of deception. But all I saw was sincerity and a quiet strength that made me want to trust him, despite everything. “I… I don’t know what to say,” I whispered.

“The club is pretty much pushing for this, as in neither of us gets a say. I figure you’ve had enough people telling you what to do. So, between the two of us, I’m going to let you choose. You don’t have to decide right now,” Kye assured me. “But I want you to know that this offer comes with no strings attached. Your safety is my only concern.”

I nodded slowly, my thoughts a tangled mess.

Kye’s hand hovered near my elbow, not quite touching. “Let me show you to your room. But should you agree to the marriage, you’ll move into my house. To be clear, you’ll have your own room there too.”

I followed him down a dim hallway, my footsteps echoing. The compound felt vast, a labyrinth of concrete and steel.

My new cage? Or my sanctuary?

We stopped at a heavy wooden door. Kye demonstrated the lock, his movements deliberate. “This is yours. No one enters without your permission. Not even me.”

The door swung open. I stepped inside, heart pounding.

“How does it feel?” Kye’s voice was gentle.

I surveyed the space -- simple furnishings, a small window. Clean. Safe. “It’s… mine?” The word felt foreign on my tongue.

Kye nodded. “Entirely. You’re free here, Yulia.”

Free. The concept dizzied me. I sank onto the bed, running my hands over the soft bedding.

“I’ll leave you to settle in,” Kye said. “If you need anything --”

“Wait,” I blurted. He paused, eyebrows raised. “I… Thank you.”

A small smile touched his lips. “Rest well, Yulia.” The door clicked shut behind him.

Alone, I curled into myself. Tears threatened, but I blinked them back. This room, this bed -- my mind struggled to accept it as real. As mine. I’d dreamed of escape for so long. Now that it was here, I felt… lost. Unmoored.

But safe. For the first time in years, truly safe.

A soft knock startled me from my thoughts. I tensed, eyeing the door warily.

“Hello?” a young voice called, barely audible. “I’m Clover. Kye asked me to bring you some clothes.”

I hesitated, then crossed to the door, cracking it open. A petite girl stood there, probably no more than five or six, arms full of folded fabric. Her eyes, warm brown and wise beyond her years, met mine.

“You can leave them,” I murmured.

Clover nodded, setting the pile just inside. “I was told to let you know I’m down the hall if you need anything. They thought you might be more comfortable with me than the men.”

As she turned to go, I noticed scars tracing her arms that matched the ones on her face. My breath caught. She paused, glancing back.

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