Page 10 of King of my Heart
I can’t believethis woman. Sitting here defending the Volkovs and blaming someone else. I watch her eyes looking for the lie. Knowing that doing what I’m going to have to do will push me over into a darkness that I’ll never be able to come back from. It’s what has to be done there is absolutely no reason she can give.
“I’d have given you whatever you wanted. All you had to do was ask. Yelena, do understand I’d have given you it all.” I tell her, meaning every word.
“I was a good fuck and that was all. Don’t stand here and try to play like it was different. I did what I had to and I am willing to die for my choice.” Yelena finishes her sentence and her phone in my pocket starts ringing.
Deciding to be an asshole. I answer the call, “Yes?”
“I need Yelena.” The voice says, sounding sad and scared.
“She is tied up right now. What can I do for you?” I ask putting the phone on speaker.
“Tell her that Dr. Fanner said everything went well and Samara is in recovery. They were able to fix everything,” the voice says and Yelena breaks into sobbing.
“I’ll let her know,” is all I say as I hang up.
I reach out, lifting her chin so I can see the woman that has stolen my heart, “Tell me, Doll.”
“It was worth it. She needed to live and I wasn’t going to lose her. I’m ready to face my consequences,” Yelena sobs.
“Why won’t you tell me? If this meant anything at all you would tell me why,” I nearly beg.
“Why? It’s not going to change anything. Tell me, Alek. Would it? Would it make a difference if I told you that I’ve fallen in love with you and it made me sick every time I have to cash one of those checks? To tell you that I had to choose between the man that has come to mean so much to me in such a short amount of time that I’m willing to betray him to save my baby girl,” Yelena says so dead pan that my heart squeezes.
My heart stops. Her words filter through: she loves me and she has a daughter. She stole the money for her daughter. She was willing to put her life on the line for her family. When my heart restarts I realize I can’t do this. I love this woman.
From the first time that she saw me and didn’t even blink at the blood splatter to every moment after that I’ve been falling.
I fucking love this woman.
And for the first time ever a person brought to the top of Gambit Casino & Hotel will leave it still alive.
I look up at my men making eye contact with my second in command, “You men go. I’ll let you know what’s happening later.”
“Boss?” he asked.
“Go fucking now. I don’t have to tell you shit and you will do what I fucking tell you.” The promise of death is in every word.
When the elevator doors close and I know without a doubt that they are all gone. I reach out and cut her wrist bindings and pull her into my arms. She lays her head on my shoulder and sobs. I stand there and hold her, letting her just cry. I slide my hand into her hair pulling it away from my shoulder and looking at her tear-stained face. My demons cry for the blood of the person to bring these tears.
“Yelena, this is your only pass. I love you but if you ever steal or lie to me again I won’t be able to let you walk away.” I tell her, needing her to understand.
“I understand! I never not ever wanted to do that. I just never thought I would be here. I have so much to tell you but can I do that on the way back to the hospital?” she asks not giving me the words I need.
“You forgot something,” I state with one brow raised.
Yelena smirks, “I love you Aleksandr. I love you more than I thought I could ever love anyone.”
“Let’s go,” I tell her.
I grab her hand and pull her to where my shirt is sitting. I quickly pull it on and head for the elevator. We have so much to talk about and figure out.
What I know is this woman owns all of me and I’ll spend the rest of forever showing her that she means everything to me.
I make it to the hospital and Yelena practically runs through the hospital. We make it to the room where I foundher to find an elderly woman sitting there. When their eyes meet, she stands pulling Yelena into a tight hug.
“I thought I’d never see you again,” the older woman sobs.
“Lord knows I never thought I’d see you either but here we are,” Yelena says, smiling wide.
