Page 92 of Merciless Union
He cups my cheek, a tear slipping down his face. “Thank god you’re all right.”
“And you too. I couldn’t bare the thought of losing you so soon after losing Mom.”
“I’m not going anywhere, anytime soon.” He looks around the house. “But after today, maybe it was a sign telling me to start to move on.” He sighs deeply. “I think it’s time I sell the house. Get a fresh start somewhere else.”
“Are you sure?”
He nods. “Your mother would want us both to be happy. And clinging to this home isn’t bringing either of us happiness.”
“I agree.” I realize how true those words are for me. “I’m ready for a fresh start too.”
I can feel Maxim’s presence behind me. My dad looks up, nodding at him. “Thank you. For bringing my little girl back alive.”
Maxim rests a hand on my shoulder. “I promised that I’d always take care of her.”
I lean into Maxim’s touch.
Knowing that Elena is probably antsy to get back home and Nik needs to go lie down somewhere and rest, I keep my meeting with my dad short.
I kiss him on the cheek goodbye, knowing that things are going to start looking up for us.
We arrive back at Maxim’s family’s apartment. Nik remains resting in the car while the rest of us go up.
“Elena,” Kira says once she steps through the door, me and Maxim right behind her, running up to her sister and giving her a hug. “You’re alive.”
Elena pats her back awkwardly. “I’m alive. You don’t have to get all mushy on me.”
Kira pulls back, smiling. Elena acts annoyed but I can see on her face that she’s happy to be back home. Their mother enters the foyer, crossing her arms, a stern expression on her face. Alexei joins her, a look of relief on his face.
I laugh as Kira pulls me into a hug next. “I’m so glad you’re all right too.”
I hug her tightly. “And I’m glad that Stepan didn’t get you.”
Kira gives her brother a hug for good measure. Her mother clears her throat. Kira finally steps back, composing herself.
Vasilisa cracks the barest of smiles. “Elena, you made it home safely.”
Elena glances at me before turning to her mom. “Yeah. Thanks to Maxim… and Arina.”
She sniffs. “Well, I’m glad you’re alive. Though how you got captured in the first place is a mystery. You should be ashamed of yourself. No daughter of mine will disgrace this family name by getting kidnapped.”
“Wait. You’re blamingmefor this?” Elena asks.
“Tell me, if it’s not your fault, how did you get kidnapped?”
Elena blinks. “I… left the house. Stepan grabbed me. That’s not my fault.”
“You shouldn’t have left the house in the first place.”
“Mother,” Maxim snaps. She turns to her son, one elegant eyebrow raised. “Elena’s just been through a lot. Cut her some slack. She’s safe now. And it won’t happen again. Stepan is dead. No one else is trying to claim my role as leader. And if they even think about, the story of how I put a bullet through Stepan’s brain should shut up most traitors.”
“Good,” Vasilisa says, nodding once. “I’m proud of you, Maxim. You’ve defended our family name. You’ve also made your father proud.”
“I didn’t do this for Dad,” he says roughly.
“Either way,” she says, shrugging, “you still made us both proud.” She turns to Elena. “Go to your room. There will be consequences for your actions.”
“I’m adult, Mother,” Elena responds. “Don’t treat me like a child.”
