Though Sonya has shown fear, she has always returned, even dared to approach me, to stop me. No one but Evgeny does that and gets away with it.
My life has always consisted of constant action, forward movement toward my goals. Until I met a woman on an airplane who slipped beneath my skin and now I cannot get her out.
I don’t know where this feeling is coming from, but she is not dying on my account.
“The contract ends tonight,” Evgeny points out.
“Do you think I care about that damn contract? Whatever’s going on is no doubt because of me, whether she was their original target or not.”
“You know she was,” Evgeny says quietly. If only he weren’t so good at calling me out on my bullshit.
I know I should end our association tonight as the contract states, but I can’t seem to let her go. Sonya doesn’t deserve to be dragged down into the darkness that is my world. She deserves to live free and without worry. She deserves to be protected.
I’ve done terrible things. I’m the villain in this story. But that doesn’t mean I want innocent blood spilled. Certainly not Sonya’s.
Evgeny watches me with the patience that comes from years spent witnessing men unravel from the inside out. He sees how my hands shake, how my eyes linger on the doorway, checking for Sonya’s silhouette.
“She’ll never see me any other way,” I mutter, my voice dropping to a near whisper. “I’m the monster in her fairy tale. She deserves better than this world.”
Evgeny takes a slow breath. “Maybe she does. But that doesn’t mean she sees you the way you think she does. Not anymore.”
I bristle and turn away. “Enough. She’s a tool, Evgeny. Nothing more. Once this is over, she’ll be free to go. I won’t keep her in the dark.”
He watches me closely, the subtle cracks in my words revealing truths I won’t admit. “Whatever you say, Matvei,” he replies flatly.
I know he doesn’t believe me. I’m lying to myself, and I’m definitely not fooling my oldest friend.
I roll my shoulders, straighten my jacket, and stride past him, my face a mask of cold professionalism. He follows silently, his presence intimidating and reassuring all at once.
Sonya looks up as we enter the foyer. Her eyes flicker between the two of us. “Can I go home now?”
I cross the marble floor and stand over her with an air of command. “Yes,” I reply, my voice brusque, hiding the concern gnawing at my insides.
Sonya’s shoulders sag in relief.
I hesitate, wanting to reach for her, to offer comfort, or maybe just to reassure myself that she’s still alive and breathing. Instead, I step back, motioning for Evgeny to take my place.
“Evgeny will escort you home and stay with you.” Sonya opens her mouth to argue but stops when I hold up a hand. “That’s my condition for letting you go home. We cannot know if there will be another attempt on your life, therefore, I will have someone with you who can protect you.”
I expect Sonya to attempt to argue again, but she takes a deep breath and nods. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”
“And I’ll be stopping by your apartment every chance I get. This goes beyond the contract now. I gave you my word I would keep you safe, and I’m seeing it through. Do you understand?”
“Yes.” Sonya doesn’t look away from my gaze even though I know it’s intense. “As long as you let me get my work done.”
“I promise.”
“I’m holding you to it.”
We gaze at one another for a long moment, and I nearly ask her to stay. Not only for her safety, but because I want her with me.
“Thank you again for protecting me,” she says. She stands on her tiptoes to kiss my cheek before turning to leave, Evgeny her protective dark shadow.
I stand in the doorway until the headlights from the car arc across the entryway and fade, leaving me alone in the dark and quiet of the house. I know my guards are around, patrolling the property. But for a brief moment, I feel completely alone.
I’ve always been alone in my world, and for all that I’ve done, I always will be.
Sonya’s light doesn’t deserve to be snuffed out by my darkness.