Page 50 of Captive Union
The entire drive, I smile like a lunatic. I can’t help it.
The city looks magical at night. It’s something I haven’t seen much, considering I wasn’t permitted to leave my house much growing up and when I was, it was hardly at night. My life was a lot like a prison. Maybe that’s why I fell into a comfortable rhythm with Erik. Being his prisoner wasn’t much different from how my parents treated me.
But now that he’s shown me I can be more than the shy little mouse I used to be, I’m beginning to see just how different my life with him is compared to my life with my mother and siblings. They don’t want me to change, whereas all I want in this world is to be someone new, someone grown.
I don’t stop smiling until we’re sitting in an extremely fancy restaurant and ordering our food.
“You like it?” Erik asks as he looks around the room.
“It’s beautiful.” And it is. The restaurant is decorated with crown molding on the walls and wallpaper designed with birds. Low lighting gives it a more romantic feel, and dark red and black booths with gold accents make the entire place feel elegant.
“Good. I’m going to buy it,” he says so simply.
“You are?”
He nods. “I love buying properties. I’m actually in the works of buying it as we speak.”
“Well, I think it’s a good choice.” I take a breath in and out. “Erik, do you still miss the bar your father gave you?”
He stills for a moment before relaxing. “Every day.” He doesn’t say more. I know how much Alexei messed up by blowing it up unnecessarily.
“I wish I could make up for my brother’s mistake.”
His gaze darkens, then softens as he looks at me. “You’ve more than made up for it. I’ve come to realize, in the time you’ve been in my life, that my desire for revenge is waning. Your brothers hurt me, but … you’ve healed me, Kira.” His words make me breathless. “I’m tired of being angry. I want to love again.”
“You … love me?” I ask, barely able to form the words.
“I do.” His voice is steady. “I’ve loved you for weeks now.” He takes a sip of his wine. “And you? How do you feel? And you can take your time in telling me. I just want your honesty, Kira.”
I open my mouth to speak when a gasp comes out as my eyes land on a group of women walking through the restaurant doors. My sister, Elena, and my two sisters-in-law, Arina and Ana. Off on a girls’ night, it seems. And I’m not with them because I’m with Erik instead. Seeing my sister again makes me realize that despite my happiness with Erik, I’ll always miss my family. I can’t help that. Will I ever be truly happy when the man I’m married to and my family are at odds with each other?
Erik follows my eyes and frowns, his eyes tightening. “We need to leave before they see us.”
“Wait.”
“Kira,” he says, standing up, “we need to go. If they see us, they’ll call their husbands, and that’s it for us.”
I know he’s right. But still …
“Let me talk to them,” I plead as he grabs my arm. “Erik, just let me talk to them. Please.”
“Kira,” he grits out.
“Erik,please. If you truly love me, you’ll allow me this.”
He pauses, staring at me with so much emotion in his eyes. It takes me a second to realize it’s fear. He’s afraid … of losing me, perhaps? Well, I’m afraid of that, too, but I have the right to see my sister again, and I’m not backing down.
I grip his hand. “Please.”
He sighs, letting his head drop, and I know I’ve won. “Fine. Make it quick. I’ll be waiting in the car. Do not let them know where I live.”
“I promise. I won’t.”
Erik bends down and kisses me deeply. “Be smart about this, Kira.” With those words, he walks away, heading away from the entrance, where Elena, Arina, and Ana are waiting to be seated, towards the back of the restaurant.
I grab my purse, then head over to see my sister in person for the first time in weeks.
As I approach, Elena does a double take when she sees me, her eyes widening “Kira?” Her voice is practically a shout. She doesn’t hesitate to run up to me and wrap me in a hug. Arina and Ana follow.
