Page 6 of Savage Pakhan

I pull into valet and an attendant is right there with a big smile on his face.

“Ms. Roswell. It’s so good to see you. Congratulations on your special day.” He seems so happy and genuine to tell me that. His dimples in his cheeks make him seem young and his hair is curling over his forehead.

It’s funny how the world goes on when you’re barely hanging onto the world.

“Thank you so much—” My eyes drift to his nametag “—Henry. I really appreciate it.”

I do my best to seem excited or happy, but I know my smile is forced by how his falters. I hand him the key, and he takes it from me with questions in his eyes I hope he doesn’t ask.

“Mia!” The sound of a deep Russian voice has me turn around to see Alek jogging from the front doors to greet me.

He’s so handsome. His silver hair is styled and parted perfectly. Not one hair out of place and his suit is tailor made to fit every muscle he works so hard to have. I shouldn’t look at him like this. I shouldn’t feel this way about my fiancé’s father, but he’s the only peace I have. How can I not cling onto it?

He kisses my cheek and pulls back, staring down at me since he’s so much taller than my five-foot-four frame. His dark green eyes narrow when he stares at my face, his brows furrowing to create wrinkles.

His thumb brushes my busted bottom lip, and he growls. “What happened here?”

I pull away and do my best not to smile or the cut will start bleeding again. “Oh, nothing. I open the fridge door and the edge of it whacked me. I’m fine, really.” I know it isn’t the best lie, but I hope it’s enough for him to believe me.

He looks over my shoulder and anger replaces his worry. I take a step away from him, not wanting to be at the end of his wrath. If Ivan’s anger is bad, I can’t imagine Alek’s. He’s the boss, the man in charge, the one that makes the order to kill someone.

“Where is my son?” He quirks a brow at me, his jaw set the same way Ivan’s does before he yells at me.

“He said he will be here,” I explain with a smile on my face, not wanting to give anything away. “He had an errand to run.”

“And you drove here? With no security? You shouldn’t be driving. It’s why I gave him extra security so neither of you are without.”

I didn’t know that. “Um. I wanted to drive. It’s no big deal. It’s the last little bit of independence I have,” I try to tease but Alek doesn’t seem very amused.

“Come on.” His hand drops to my lower back and guides me inside. “Your bridal shower is about to start.”

I shouldn’t let out a long breath when I feel the warmth of his hand seep into my back. Every muscle relaxes and it hits me… I feel safe.

I don’t know anyone here. I’m not allowed to talk to my friends anymore and I’m only allowed to call my family on Sundays.

But I know Alek, and for once, I can breathe easy.

2

ALEK

A few minutes earlier…

I’ve been waiting for Mia to arrive. Every time I know I will be gifted her presence, my heart races. There’s no way my son appreciates her or her beauty like I do.

I’m watching out of the window, friends, enemies, family, they all come pouring in, and I’m noticing I don’t see The Roswells anywhere. I also don’t see Mia’s friends. Didn’t she tell them about the bridal shower? I don’t see why a parent would miss an occasion like this—for their only daughter, too.

My instincts are never wrong. Something is going on with Mia, and I plan to figure it out. She’s family, even if the person I want her tied to, is me. I’d rather have her in my life than not at all.

When her car stops in front of valet, I’m out the door to greet her, excited to have another memory of her smiling at me. I don’t see Mia as much as I’d like to. She stays busy with Ivan. He’s always sending me updates on their plans.

My happiness comes to a stop when I see her climb out of the driver’s seat.

Alone.

My son isn’t with her. She has no security.

“Mia!” I call out her name and slowly jog over to her, wanting her to see how happy I am to see her.