Page 91 of Merciless Union
I don’t waste a minute longer. I don’t care if Nik or my sister see. I pull Arina into a deep hug. She instantly wraps her arms around me.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper into her air.
“It’s ok. It’s ok. You’re here now.”
“When we get back home, I have a lot of explaining to do. I promise, I making all of this up to you.”
She pulls back smiling up at me. “I’m going to hold you to that.”
“Nik?” I hear Elena ask. “What are you doing here?”
I look over at them, keeping my arms around Arina.
Nik rubs the back of his neck. “I’m your brother’s second in command. Why would I not be here?”
“Because you’re hurt,” she replies in a tone that implies Nik is stupid.
He smirks. “I’m not one to leave a damsel in distress hanging.”
She sniffs, turning her nose up. “Idiot.”
I look between them, wondering what’s happening there. I’m not sure if I like it or not.
“How did you two escape?” Nik asks, nodding towards a chair where rope is laying all around it.
Arina and Elena share a look.
“It’s a long story,” Arina responds.
“I cant wait to hear it,” I say.
She smiles up at me. Holding her in my arms, I know this is right. Arina is my weakness but she also makes me stronger. Without her as my driving force, I may never had the passion to truly take down Stepan.
I love her. I realize that now. I truly love her.
I just need to find a way to tell her.
The nice thing is, with Stepan out of the way, I can focus more on our marriage. And we have the rest of our lives to spend together. That should give me plenty of time to tell her.
CHAPTER21
Arina
Maxim’s next words fill me with relief. “Your father is alive. He called the doctor. He should be all right.”
“Thank god. I need to go see him.”
He nods, motioning for me and Elena to walk ahead. I squeeze Elena’s hand before I get into the car. The look we share is one full of understanding. It took us awhile to get out of our ties but through working together, we managed. Despite never wanting to go through this again, I do hope this brings us closer. Elena offers me a smile.
I keep my eyes averted from all the dead bodies as I get into the car. Maxim drives the four of us to my dad’s house. On the outside, it looks the same. But I know the things that happened there – like Jack dying, getting kidnapped – give the house a darker vibe.
I run inside. Jack’s body is no longer on the porch. Someone must have been by to clean everything up.
I find my dad resting on the couch, alive and well. Before he can get a word in, I give him the biggest hug.
“Oh,” he groans, patting my back. “I’m so happy you’re all right, sweetheart but I am hurt.”
I pull back. “Sorry.”
