34. Annalise

34

ANNALISE

T he moment I step out of the building, a blinding flash of cameras and the deafening clamor of reporters ambush me. My heart races as they surround me, bombarding me with vicious accusations.

“Annalise, are you only after the Volkov brothers’ fortune?” one reporter shouts.

“Is it true that you’re in a love triangle with all three brothers?” another demands.

I blink rapidly, trying to adjust to the sudden onslaught of attention. Their words sting like icy daggers, piercing my resolve. Forcing myself to maintain composure, I attempt to push past them, but they close in, suffocating me.

“Please,” I say, my voice strained. “Give me some space.”

As if on cue, a car screeches to a halt beside me, its tires leaving black marks on the pavement. Sienna leaps out, her auburn hair wild around her determined face. She grabs my arm and yanks me toward the vehicle.

“Get in!” she orders, her eyes aflame with urgency.

“Sienna, what are you—” I begin to ask, but she cuts me off.

“Later! Just get in the damn car, Annalise!”

Without waiting for a response, she shoves me into the passenger seat and slams the door shut. The reporters swarm around us, their cameras pressed against the windows like vultures.

“Back off!” Sienna screams at them before jumping back into the driver’s seat and starting the engine.

“Sienna, wait!” I plead, gripping the door handle tightly. “I need to clear this up—I can’t let them think?—”

“Trust me, Anna,” she interrupts, her fierce gaze locked on mine. “You don’t owe them anything.”

With that, she floors the gas pedal, and we speed away from the chaotic scene. My heart pounds in my chest as the reporters and their accusations grow smaller in the rearview mirror.

“Thank you,” I whisper, sinking into the seat and letting out a shaky breath. Sienna offers me a tight smile, her eyes filled with the unspoken promise of unwavering loyalty, support, and protection.

The cityscape blurs past us, a disorienting mess of neon lights and shadows. Sienna’s knuckles turn white on the steering wheel as she drives with a determination that leaves no room for hesitation or doubt.

“Anna,” she says, her voice strained with worry, “I’ve been trying to reach you for days—emails, texts, calls—but I got nothing. Not a single word from you. I was scared out of my mind.”

Her eyes flicker over to me, assessing my well-being. I cringe at the memory of my abandoned phone in the Volkov mansion, feeling a pang of guilt for making her worry.

“Sienna, I’m so sorry,” I say, swallowing hard. “I didn’t have my phone with me—I didn’t know what to say.”

“Didn’t know what to say?” she echoes, her tone softening but confusion still evident. “You could have found a way to let me know you were okay.”

My eyes sting with unshed tears as I remember the tumultuous events of the past few days—the allure of the Volkov brothers, the danger lurking in the shadows, and the undeniable chemistry between us. How can I explain this whirlwind of emotions and experiences to Sienna without sounding like a character from one of her beloved romance novels?

“Things have been…complicated,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. “But I promise, I’ll tell you everything.”

“Alright,” she says, nodding her acceptance. “We can talk when we get to my place.”

As the car continues down the dark streets, I find myself lost in thought, grappling with the reality of my situation. The weight of the choices I’ve made settles heavily on my shoulders, leaving me feeling vulnerable and exposed. But with Sienna by my side, I know that I am not alone in this fight. And that, at least for now, is enough.

The city lights blur past the car window, casting eerie shadows that mirror the turmoil inside me. Sienna’s grip on the steering wheel tightens before she speaks.

“Really, Annalise? You couldn’t have sent a text or an email just saying you were okay?” she asks, sarcasm biting at her words.

My heart clenches, and the guilt I’ve been holding on to surges forward. “I’m sorry, Sienna,” I choke out, tears threatening to spill over. “I feel like I’ve ruined everything.”

“Hey, hey.” She reaches over, resting a comforting hand on my knee. “You haven’t ruined anything. We’ll figure it out, okay?”

I nod, but the reassurance does little to quell the storm of emotions raging within me. My mind races, recalling the magnetic draw of the Volkov brothers and the passion they ignited. Yet, behind the heat, danger lurks—danger I could never have anticipated.

“Promise me something, Sienna,” I say quietly, my voice wavering.

“Anything,” she replies without hesitation.

“Promise me that no matter what happens, we’ll stick together.” The words emerge from the depths of my soul, desperate for an anchor in this turbulent sea.

“Of course,” she answers firmly, squeezing my knee. “Always.”

In that moment, as the darkness wraps around us like a shroud, I cling to that promise with every fiber of my being. With Sienna by my side, I find the strength to face whatever lies ahead.

“Thank you,” I whisper, allowing myself to lean into the solace of our friendship.

“Anytime, Lily,” she says softly, a bittersweet smile gracing her lips. “Now let’s get you home.”

The city lights blur through my tear-streaked vision as Sienna navigates the maze of streets, her grip on the steering wheel firm and steady. My heart feels heavy in my chest, a mix of guilt and uncertainty weighing me down.

“Here we are,” Sienna announces, pulling into the underground parking garage of her apartment complex. The car comes to a stop, and she turns off the engine. “Take your time, Lily. Let it out.”

Her words break the final dam holding back my tears, and I crumble, burying my face in my hands as sobs rack my body. Sienna wastes no time, unbuckling her seat belt and wrapping her arms around me. Her embrace is warm and comforting—a lifeline in the midst of chaos.

“Shh, it’s okay,” she murmurs into my hair, rubbing my back soothingly. “Let it all out. I’m here for you.”

My breath hitches, and I clutch at her, anchoring myself to her unwavering presence. “I don’t know what to do, Sienna. Everything is so messed up.”

“Hey,” she says softly, pulling back just enough to look me in the eyes. “We’ll figure it out, together. But for now, let’s just have a girls’ night, okay? We’ll watch a movie, eat some junk food, and forget about everything else for a little while.”

Her suggestion brings a small smile to my lips, the first one I’ve managed since stepping out of that building. “A girls’ night sounds perfect right now.”

“Good.” She squeezes my shoulder before releasing me from her embrace. “Now, let’s get upstairs and start our night of shameless indulgence.”

As we make our way up to her apartment, I can’t help but feel grateful for Sienna’s unwavering support. Despite the darkness that has enveloped my life, she remains a beacon of light—a constant reminder that I’m not alone in this fight.

“Alright,” Sienna says as she unlocks her door and ushers me inside. “You get comfortable on the couch while I grab some snacks and pick a movie.”

“Okay,” I murmur, taking a seat on the plush cushions and wrapping a nearby blanket around myself. The familiar scent of her home instantly soothes me, like a balm to my frayed nerves.

Sienna returns a few minutes later, her arms laden with popcorn, chocolate, and a bottle of wine. As she sets everything down on the coffee table, I can’t help but chuckle at the sheer amount of comfort food she’s gathered. “Think we have enough?”

“Hey, when it comes to girls’ nights, there’s no such thing as too much,” she replies with a grin, popping the cork on the wine bottle and pouring us each a generous glass.

“Fair enough.” I accept the wine with a grateful nod, taking a sip and savoring the warmth as it spreads through me.

“Here’s to forgetting our troubles, even if just for a night,” Sienna declares, raising her glass in a toast.

“Cheers,” I agree, clinking my glass against hers before taking another long drink.

As the movie begins to play on the screen, I allow myself to sink into the comfort of Sienna’s apartment, the stress of recent events fading ever so slightly. For now, with my best friend by my side, I can forget about the dangerous world waiting outside these walls and simply exist—safe, loved, and at peace.

The soft glow of the floor lamp casts a warm, inviting light over Sienna’s cozy living room. We settle into the plush couch, our wine glasses filled to the brim, and the anticipation of diving into our innermost thoughts hangs in the air like a thick mist.

“Annalise, I can’t believe you’re involved with the Volkov brothers.” Sienna’s voice cracks as she speaks, her shock and disbelief evident. “I mean, they’re practically royalty in the criminal underworld.”

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what I’m about to share. “I never planned for any of this, Sienna. It just…happened.”

“Tell me about them,” she urges softly, placing a comforting hand on my knee.

“Damian is the oldest,” I begin, searching for the right words. “His sister went missing years ago, and it’s been tearing him apart ever since. He’s ruthless and cunning, but there’s a vulnerability beneath that hardened exterior. I think he sees something in me that reminds him of her.”

“God, that’s intense,” Sienna murmurs, her eyes wide with empathy.

“Then there’s Nikhil,” I continue, my voice trembling slightly. “He believes that I’m the best thing he could ever have, that I can somehow save him from his past. He’s so desperate for love and acceptance, Sienna. It’s almost heartbreaking.”

“Wow, Annalise.” She shakes her head in disbelief. “And Cassius?”

“Ah, Cassius…” My heart flutters at the mention of his name. “He’s different from the others. He genuinely wants me to be happy and safe, even if that means letting me go. There’s a sincerity in him that I’ve never experienced before.”

Sienna chews on her lower lip, her brow furrowed in thought. “This is…a lot to take in. But I can see how it happened. You’ve always been drawn to those who need healing, Annalise.”

“Maybe,” I admit, my fingers tracing the rim of my wine glass. “But I never wanted to be caught in the middle of this dangerous world. My daughters deserve better.”

“Whatever happens next,” Sienna reassures me, squeezing my hand with conviction, “I’ll be here for you. You’re not alone in this.”

“Thank you,” I whisper, feeling a weight lift from my chest. “That means more to me than you could ever know.”

Together, we sit in a comfortable silence, lost in our thoughts and the warmth of our friendship. For now, I can pretend that the darkness doesn’t exist, pretend that I’m simply a woman seeking solace in the company of her dearest friend.

A sudden burst of laughter escapes Sienna, cutting through the heavy atmosphere in the room. “You know, Annalise, it’s almost like you’ve stumbled into some kind of twisted fairy tale—bratva version.”

“Sienna!” I scold her, but I can’t help the smile that tugs at my lips. “This is serious.”

“I know, I know,” she concedes, holding up her hands in mock surrender. “But sometimes, you have to find humor in the darkest of situations. It’s how we survive. Now, let me think…” She taps her chin thoughtfully, lost in contemplation. “Okay, first things first—safety. Those brothers may be…complicated, but they clearly care about you. Use that to your advantage.”

“Meaning?” I ask, raising an eyebrow skeptically.

“Meaning, if you ever feel threatened or in danger, don’t hesitate to call on them for help. They’re powerful men, and they’ll want to protect you. And, well, maybe you can help heal them too.” Her eyes soften with understanding as she gazes at me. “That’s what you’re best at, after all.”

“Maybe,” I murmur, not entirely convinced. “But what if I’m just digging myself deeper into this mess?”

“Then you’ll have me by your side,” Sienna replies firmly, exuding confidence. “We’ll navigate this together, one step at a time. Just promise me you’ll prioritize yourself and your daughters above all else, okay?”

I nod, my throat tightening with emotion. “I promise.”

“Good,” Sienna says, satisfied. Then, she jumps up from the couch and rummages through a nearby cabinet. “Now, enough of this heavy talk. You need a distraction.”

She emerges triumphant, a bag of popcorn in one hand and a DVD case in the other. “What do you say we watch The Notebook ? I know it’s cliché, but there’s nothing like a good old-fashioned love story to take your mind off of things.”

“Sienna Hart,” I tease, wiping away the lingering tears from my cheeks, “you are a sentimental fool.”

“Guilty as charged.” She grins, popping the disc into the player before flopping down next to me on the couch.

As the familiar opening credits begin to play, I lean back against the cushions, allowing myself a brief respite from the chaos that has become my life. Tonight, I’ll indulge in this simple pleasure with my best friend by my side—tomorrow, I’ll face the storm again. But for now, I am safe, and that is enough.