Page 210 of Ripped Veil (Ripped Bratva)

“No one is just one thing,” he murmurs. “We’ve all got a little darkness in us and a little light. A little bit of bad and a little bit of good. You choose what comes out.”

It’s so poetic and out of character for the driver that I almost laugh. “Did you come up with that yourself?” I ask. “It’s kind of beautiful.”

“Nah. Stole it from a self-help book. Stole the book from the store, too, now that I think about it.”

I chuckle then fall silent. The shadow passes over the window again.

“What about Phoenix?” I muse, more to myself than to Vlad. “Does he have light in him?”

“He did,” Vlad says with the utmost certainty. “As for now? That’s above my paygrade.”

I nod. “I think I may be in trouble, Vlad.”

“Then I suggest you get yourself out of it,” he replies calmly.

“And if I can’t?”

“Then ask for help,” he says. “Simple as that.”

Ask for help.A few months ago, there was only one person I trusted implicitly in this world—Charity. That was it.

But now, I realize that I have one more name to add to the list. The problem is… I’m not sure he feels the same way about me.

“Okay,” I say quietly, mostly to myself. “I’ll ask.”

And the moment I say the words, I realize something else—subconsciously, I’ve made the decision already.

A decision to throw my hat in the ring with Phoenix. Even when Charity had suggested the idea of leaving with intel on his Bratva, I’d rebelled against the idea. Because I knew: I’m his now. For better or for worse.

“Miss Elyssa?” Vlad gives me a reassuring smile when I jump at the sound of his voice. “Go rest. Sleep does a soul good.”

“Thank you,” I whisper as I get out of the car.

Once I’m out, I turn and give him a wave. He nods curtly and drives towards the garage. I stand there and watch his taillights flash for a second before they disappear around the corner.

I don’t have an excuse to linger any longer. I turn and head into the house.

I have no idea how I’m going to start this story. I have no idea if Phoenix will understand. But I don’t have many options left. My parents had denied it. Josiah had denied it.

Which means one of them was lying. Or someone else had sent me that package. And whichever the case, I’m in over my head. I do need help, so I’ll swallow my pride in order to ask for it.

* * *

The house is empty when I walk in. And quiet—spookily quiet. Something is off.

I peer around, a strange sense of foreboding overcoming me as I walk quietly through the halls. Normally, Anna or one of the other maids are working on something or other around the mansion.

But tonight, everything is dark and silent.

The ground floor is empty so I mount the stairs. A long hallway beckons from the landing. I turn to go to my room when I notice a triangle of light emerging from a doorway at the far end of the corridor.

Phoenix’s office.

For some reason, I tiptoe down. Don’t ask me why—just a feeling that this is the kind of silence I shouldn’t break. Moving forward, I peek around the corner.

Phoenix is standing at the corner of his desk with his back to me. His eyes are cast down at his feet. I follow his gaze down…

And my breath catches in my throat.

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