Chapter EighteenIrina

Chapter Eighteen

Irina

It all makes sense now.

My marriage to Alexei, my father having secret meetings, his hatred for Alexei. I can piece it all together now. Perhaps I did long ago. I just couldn't bring myself to believe my father was that kind of person.

Still, it doesn't stop the pain pulling at my chest like I've been stabbed. Everything I knew about my father was a lie. His anti-mafia and human trafficking movement was all a lie.

My eyes sting with tears.

Alexei's throat moves as he swallows. All traces of the violent man who tortured and killed another man is now gone. "Irina, I can explain."

"What is there to explain?" My voice shakes. I hate that I feel so weak. "Are you going to tell me my father really doesn't work for the Phoenix and it was all some sort of sick joke?"

His shoulders sag.

I thought as much.

For a second, I forget I have an injury and try to lift my hand. Pain ripples through my arm, forcing me to drop it. I turn around and trudge towards the steps.

"Irina," Alexei calls after me.

I walk faster, skipping steps on the stairs as I hurry up to our bedroom. To think I hated Alexei so much while my father was just like him, maybe even worse. Alexei knows who he is and accepts it, my father is just a hypocrite. He's lied to me my entire life.

I close the door with a bang when I enter the room. The tears begin to spill when I sit on the bed. I still can't believe it, I don't want to believe I almost died today, and that it was because of my father.

Alexei enters the room. The bed dips as he sits beside me. "Irina," he whispers my name.

"How long have you known?" I ask. I don't look at him, I can't bear to. He asked everyone to keep the truth from me. "How long have you known that my father works for the bad people?"

"I've known for a while now."

"Before we got married?"

He nods. "Yes. I couldn't tell you because I didn't want you to get hurt. I know what your father means to you, Irina. I didn't want to be the reason you resented him."

Alexei doesn't understand. His excuse doesn't cut it. "I deserved to know and you, of all people, hid it from me. I could've died today."

"I was wrong. I'm sorry." He cups my face and lifts it to meet his. "I shouldn't have kept the truth about your father from you, Irina. I'm sorry."

The sincerity in his voice melts my anger. I can't put this on him. He didn't tell me the truth, but it wasn't his truth to tell. The person I should be mad at is my father. "Tell me everything about the Phoenix and my father. Don't leave out any detail."

"Fine." He clears his throat. "The Phoenix moved into the city about a year ago. They invaded my territory and have committed many atrocities."

"You mean the kidnapping? Trafficking?"

He nods his head. "Yes. When they did, I caught a member of their organization and I killed him. They somehow got a video of that and they've been blackmailing me ever since. I'm trying to find the leaders of the organization, but they've kept themselves well hidden."

I think for a moment. Something doesn't make sense. "How could they have gotten a video like that?"

"There's a mole among my men. I don't know who it is yet, but he'll bring me a step closer to finding out what I can about the Phoenix when the time is right."

"Fuck," is all I can say. This is way too much information to take in. I've spent most of my adult life trying to fight against organizations like that, now I can't just sit back. "I'll help you."

He sighs. "No, Irina. It's dangerous."

"Being in the dark was dangerous. I could have gotten killed without even knowing who my rival was and what they were after. I don't want to be left in the dark anymore."

I look into his eyes and let him see the desperation in mine. Things won't change unless he can see that.

"I can't say no to you, Irina." He brings his face closer to mine. "I was so afraid. I thought I was going to lose you back there."

"You were afraid you'd lose me?" I blink at him. I must be dreaming. Does this mean he feels the same way about me that I feel about him?

"Promise me you'll stay safe if I tell you what I know."

Dying would be a waste knowing I'll leave a man like Alexei behind. And maybe it's because I could have died that I no longer want to hold back. He was all I could think of in that final moment before I passed out. He was all I could think off when I woke up.

This man holds my heart. "I promise."

His lips are a whisper away from mine. "Good, because I don't think I can live in world without you."

His lips meet mine, and he kisses me so passionately that I'm burning with desire for him.

Our kiss deepens, igniting a fire within me I never knew existed. In this moment with Alexei, the weight of the truth about my father and my near-death experience, fades. All that matters is Alexei and the overwhelming feelings I have for him.

We break apart, breathless and desperate for more.

I look into Alexei's eyes, and he looks back into mine with deep longing. I don't wait for him to make a move this time. My lips clash with his, every cell in my body is desperate and aching for him.

He kisses me back passionately and his hands explore my body, staring from the hardness of my nipples to the pool of wetness between my legs. I open my legs a little wider, moaning as his fingers caress my folds and my clit. I'm grinding against him and ignoring the pain shooting up my arm.

"You're hurt, Irina," he whispers, breaking our kiss just for a moment. "We shouldn't do this."

I wrap my uninjured hand around his neck. "We should. I want this— you."

That is such an understatement. I'm burning with need for him. I press my lips to his again, trying to lure him in with a deeper kiss when someone knocks on the door.

"Can we talk for a moment, brother?" Mikhail calls from outside.

Alexei grunts at the distraction. "I'll see what it is he wants and I'll come right back to you, okay?"

I'm not happy with this, but I nod. Mikhail has never come up here, it must be really important if he's calling for his brother.

I spiral back to my thoughts after Alexei leaves. All I can think about is my father and if I'm really going to bring him down for his crimes. I love him very much, but I can't ignore his involvement with the Phoenix.