Page 16 of Savage Pakhan

I can’t remember the last time I cried. Men like me don’t lose control of their emotions.

But Mia is different.

She’s been in my life longer than she hasn’t. And knowing my own son has been abusing her right under my nose, I feel like this entire situation is my fault.

“Fucking breathe, Mia!” I yell in desperation, slamming my fist down on her chest as hard as I can.

Her body slightly jerks and her throat bobs, followed by a cough. Water spews from her mouth and I help her turn her head.

“Oh, good girl,” I say, relieved. I cup the back of her head, holding her steady while she gets the lake water out of her system. “I’m so glad to see you.” I press my forehead against hers, pulling her close to me.

She struggles to catch her breath, one hand gripping my forearm. Mia sobs, digging her nails into my skin so hard, blood beads.

“I know. It’s okay. I have you. I’m not going to let anything happen to you. You’re safe.” I cradle her head against my chest, kissing the top, her wet hair sticking to my lips tasting like the cold, unforgiving lake that nearly took us both.

“Ow,” she groans, clutching her chest.

“I know. I had to. You weren’t…you weren’t breathing Mia. I did what I had to do.”

She nods. “I know,” she rasps. “I’m glad. Thank you for saving me.”

“Always,” I answer, hoping she knows that I would do anything for her. “Can you stand? Do you need a minute? We need to call the police.”

She grabs my arm, fear rounding her eyes. “No. No cops. I want Ivan to think I’m dead. Please, I can’t go back there, Alek. I know he’s your son, but I would rather drown again than go back to a life with him. Please, please,” she begs.

I know not bringing her back will start problems, but I don’t care. Ivan doesn’t deserve her, and he doesn’t deserve to know she’s alive. Not only will it cause issues with my people, but Mia’s family as well. It’s important to them this marriage happens. I’m not sure how much Mia knows or if she knows the truth, but I’ve been funding her parents for years now. They filed for bankruptcy years ago and this marriage would’ve given them millions.

The only reason I didn’t kill them and be done with the Roswells was because of Mia and their network.

Now, I’m wondering if I should’ve listened to my instincts. I would’ve never let anything happen to Mia, but her family? They could be the ones who sink to the bottom of the fucking lake for all I care.

No one treats my Mia the way she deserves to be and I’m tired of it.

She’s right. This is her chance.

“Can you walk?” I ask, grabbing her hands to help her to her feet.

“I don’t know. I can try. My chest hurts really bad.”

Fuck it. I’m not allowing her to walk. “Place your arm around my neck. Da. Just like that.” Her flesh is cold as it touches the back of my warm neck. Bending down, I slip an arm behind her knees and lift her into a wedding style hold.

The same hold that my son was supposed to do to carry her over the threshold of their home, yet I’m carrying his bride while she wears a dress she hates and I’m in a tuxedo.

It’s as if the universe is giving me a sign that this woman is meant to be mine.

I take the first step into the woods, pause just as my foot lands on a fallen log, and glance over my shoulder. The lake seems unbothered now. The water is still. Dark unknown depths have swallowed the car and have left no trace of the accident.

No ripples. No waves. No bubbles.

It’s as if the accident never happened.

“Please, don’t take me back to him, Alek. Please,” Mia begs with a sob clutching her throat. “I’ll do anything. Leave me in the woods alone. Go back to your life. It can be like I never existed. I’ll figure it out.”

It being life.

“There’s no way I’m leaving you alone. I don’t care of what’s waiting for me back home. I only care about you. I promise you, I’ll never leave you in the hands of Ivan again, Lyubimaya.”

“Are you ever going to tell me what that means?” She nestles her cheek into my chest, and I cup her head, pressing her into me.