Chapter 20—Persephone

It feels like I’ve been in my new prison for eons.

At least Lukiyan left the light on and I’m not in the darkness like before.

I’ve kept an eye on the little light peeking through the hole in the wall, trying to guess what time it could be. It hasn’t started to fade yet, so I assumed it’s still early in the day.

The sound of the waves has stilled though.

They were my only distraction from my worries and terror. I think I should be hungry or thirsty but I’m not. It’s probably a good thing because I might need to use the bathroom and there are no facilities down here. Just the gray floor.

I’ve been mulling over everything Lukiyan told me, and thinking about what I’m going to do.

Or rather, what he might do to me.

He’s going to kill my father and I can’t stop it from happening.

It will happen.

Then what?

Once whatever interest Lukiyan has in me fades, he’ll have no further use for me.

Realistically though, he already has no use for me because I’m a loose end that needs to be tied up.

When I think of my father my heart squeezes with so much disappointment.

My father’s dirty business dealings have never been something I overlooked. I always knew we were a crime family who dealt with shady shit, but what he did to Lukiyan’s sister is inexcusable. She was younger than me, much younger.

I can’t imagine Father doing what he did to a young girl, but I know it’s true.

There’s no question about truth here when I know what the men in the Circle are like. So why should my father be any different?

I also know about the prostitution ring, so… what defense is there?

Father has his shortcomings with me, he deceived me when it came to Antonio, didn’t fight for my career when he knew how much it meant to me, and we’ve had a rocky relationship, especially since Athena died.

He helped ruin me and truth be told, he helped push me into this situation I’m in now.

But that doesn’t mean I want him to die.

Whatever is left of my heart has always remembered him as the father who helped create the magic Mom made for us when Athena and I were kids.

He was the person who took me to my first ballet class and he never missed a show. Not once, from the smallest performance to the biggest—even when things were bad with us.

I remember him as the man who saved me when everyone else was being slaughtered during the massacre.

The terror I experienced that day was so overwhelming.

My body was so weak at that point that breathing hurt and so did living, but I didn’t want to die.

Mom and Athena made me their priority and got me to the safe room.

I wish with all my heart they’d stayed with me. But they went to help the servants. There were maids there with babies and children. There were also older people who wouldn’t have been able to escape an attack without assistance.

With the sound of gunfire all around me all I could do was pray that we’d all make it through and some miracle would happen. But all those people were butchered that day.

I didn’t know Father had gone out because we were all in the family room watching a movie.

When he came back he went straight to the safe room because that’s where we were told to go in case of trouble. He expected to find the three of us inside but only found me. I was so happy to see him. I just thought he’d fix everything because that’s what he always did.

It was while he was carrying me out of the room that a man stabbed him in the eye. He killed the man but it was one more thing that slowed him down from getting to Mom.

Just as we got to her, someone shot her straight in her heart. I don’t even know who fired the bullet. I just remember screaming and crying.

I’ll never forget how Father cried.

It was the first time I’d ever witnessed him cry and his tears were that of a shattered soul who’d lost everything.

On top of that, those men took Athena. That was another disaster we had to live through but Father didn’t sleep until he found her.

What happened last night was like déjà vu, and there’s more to come.

I love my father, and that’s why I can’t let him die, even if he deserves to.

I just can’t allow that to happen to him, and if there’s something I can do, I’ll do it.

Footsteps sound on the floor outside the door and my body tenses.

Is that Lukiyan coming back?

The steps sound different to his. He has a heavier footfall. That doesn’t mean it’s not him now. He could be wearing different shoes.

The door opens and my gaze lands on a man the same height and build as Lukiyan, but with fewer tattoos. They also look similar in age.

He comes down the stairs and I take note of the tattoos on his forearms which are unmistakably Russian.

When he reaches me he flicks a knife and I gasp, wondering if he’s going to use it on me.

“Relax, if we wanted you dead, you’d already know,” he speaks with an unmistakable hint of a Russian accent.

“Who are you?”

He shakes his head. “Sorry sweetheart. No names yet.”

Of course. How stupid of me.

“Where is Lukiyan? If that’s really his name.”

He chuckles. “It is, and he’ll be with you shortly. Your room is ready.”

“Room? How nice of you. The prisoner gets a room.”

“And food too.” Sarcasm laces through his words. “But if you piss me off, you’re staying down here in the dark. Understand?”

I can already see this man is just as ruthless as Lukiyan—or worse—so I decide to play this sensibly.

“I understand.”

“Hold out your hands.”

I do and he cuts the rope away. I realize this was a strategy to keep me in line. Keep me afraid.

It worked.

He undoes the ropes around my feet next and puts out a hand to help me stand.

I take his calloused hand and as I push to my feet, my legs give out from the blood rushing back. He catches me, steadying me, then ushers me out of the room.

When we get to the top of the stairs the sight that greets me steals my breath away.

There’s an entire glass wall running down the long hallway ahead of us.

Outside is the perfect view of bright sunlight hitting the rolling waves of the sea.

I guess from the beautiful scenery we must be somewhere near the Hamptons, or near a beach on Long Island. I can’t be sure.

We walk down the corridor and go through a set of glass panel doors that open for us automatically.

There I’m immersed in more beauty as we walk into a hall filled with paintings like the ones back home. These have more landscapes though.

The décor is ornate, with gold and burgundy colors. There are antique-looking items everywhere, from the furniture to the fixtures on the walls.

“Lukiyan lives here?” I mutter.

“It’s one of his homes.”

One of his homes?

My God.

He was never a simple bodyguard.

This man didn’t need a good job that paid well.

He has all of this and probably never needed anything. Maybe he never needed me either.

Was anything ever real with him?

The man leads me to a set of grand stairs that have gold leaf accents along the banister and up we go, taking the wide marble steps until we reach the second floor. There I’m taken to a beautiful room which has an elderly lady inside folding the sheets on the queen-size bed in the center.

Her face brightens when we walk in, but she doesn’t quite smile.

She looks Russian and speaks it to the man. He answers and she returns her gaze to me with a warmth in her eyes that I foolishly find solace in.

There is nothing here for me, so nothing can comfort me.

How can it when I don’t know what’s going on?

“I am Lina, I am the head maid here. I will take care of you.” Her accent is still quite thick. I have to really focus to understand what she’s saying. “So if you need anything, please ask.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll leave you two to talk.” The man focuses on me. “I’m sure I don’t have to tell you not to try anything foolish. The place is heavily guarded and there’s no one around but us for miles.”

I don’t answer, he knows I’m helpless as shit so I won’t give him the pleasure of being some subservient.

He backs out the door and leaves us.

“There are some clothes there.” Lina points to a stack of clothes I recognize as mine. They’re what I packed and put in my duffle bag. I don’t see the bag anywhere though.

“Where’s my bag?”

“I don’t know. This is what Master Romanechka left for you.”

Bastard, he took my bag and went through it. I have personal things in there that are dear to me. Things Athena gave me, and Mom too. I have family pictures and my dancing certificates. All things money can’t buy or replace.

“If you want to shower and change go ahead. I’ve made lunch already so I’ll bring that up for you.”

“Thank you.” I sound scarily calm.

I’ve learned that there’s no point making an enemy out of those trying to help you.

I wouldn’t do it anyway, when my staff were so special to me. Staff like Maya were like family.

Tears prick at my eyes when I think of her. I can’t believe she’s dead, and if I hadn’t gone back to the house, I’d never know. I’d still think she was alive.

Lina leaves. When she closes the door I expect her to lock it but she doesn’t.

It means nothing though because this fancy room is still part of the prison.

I look around at the four salmon walls and the painting of somewhere snowy near the window bay.

I want to scream at the nothingness and the way the situation has been forced on me.

What does Lukiyan seriously want me to do now?

Act normal and pretend things are okay?

Where the fuck is he?

Where would he have gone?

And is this his bedroom?

Looking around again, I decide it’s too girly and doesn’t feel like him.

I walk around looking at the books on the shelf in the corner, which has fairytales, only fairytales.

On the chest of drawers is a set of porcelain ballerinas and another set of fairies. This is definitely a girl’s room.

I decide to do a little more snooping but find the wardrobes and cupboards empty.

Lina comes back with a tray of delicious food I want to refuse or throw out the window but I think better of both options.

I’m actually starving. I didn’t eat yesterday because I was so nervous, and what I did manage to stuff down was just a few grapes at the fundraiser.

If I’m to confront Lukiyan I need my strength. So when she leaves me again, I eat.

She made a chicken casserole with boiled rice and spring vegetables. On the side is a slice of chocolate cake and some macaroons.

Once I’m done I shower and stay under the cold spray of water for a long time before I get out and put on something similar to what I was wearing previously.

Then I wait.

Night falls and I’m still waiting.

I’m propped in the window bay going crazy with worry.

I’m almost relieved when I hear footsteps and I know it’s him before the door opens and he enters.

Pulling in a deep breath, I push to my feet and bring my hands together, staring at him with anticipation.

I’m not sure who’s going to talk first. Him or me.

I don’t want to go first, because all I can do is beg and I loathe looking pathetic.

Pathetic is all I seem to have been for years as one thing after another happened to me. Nevertheless, waiting for him to speak is torture.

“What are you planning to do to me?” My voice comes out raspy.

“Not sure yet.” His eyes fall up and down my body and I feel like I’m naked, although I’m fully clothed.

He glances at the tray and takes note of the empty plates which look like they’ve been licked clean, then looks back at me.

“You ate. Good.”

“Where am I?”

His lips twitch at my curiosity. “Long Island.”

“And this is one of your homes?”

“It is.” He comes closer but not too close.

I’m glad because being in the same room as him is already too much.

“Where do you normally live?”

“L.A. This place belonged to my adopted father.”

“You were adopted?” That’s why I couldn’t tell what he was.

“Yes. My sister and I were adopted.”

“Whose room is this?” My gaze darts from him to the porcelain ballerinas on the chest of drawers.

“My sister used to use it when we came here on vacation.”

“Where are your parents?”

“They’re all dead. Everyone I call family is dead now.”

There’s a moment of that awful silence I hate, and I can’t think of anything other than what I want from him.

“Lukiyan, my father is many things,” I begin, schooling my worry. “You know the kind of world we come from. Nevertheless, he was wrong for what he did to your sister. He was really wrong, because whatever he did led to her death. But I’m begging you not to kill him.”

He keeps his eyes riveted to mine.

“Do you expect me to just agree because you beg me?”

No. I didn’t expect it, but I hoped for it. “He’s my father. Can’t we talk about it?”

“If he’s just as responsible for my sister’s death as her killer is, what do we have to talk about?”

“I’ll do anything,” I cut in before he can continue. “Anything. Just don’t kill him.”

Wild desire darkens his bright blue eyes. His gaze pierces through me and I wish he would say something.

“Sweet Persephone, you would do anything to save your old man?”

“Wouldn’t you do anything to save a member of your family you loved?”

“I would.” Something comes into his eyes that gives me a glimpse of him. It shows me that he knows exactly what I mean because he would have done anything to save his sister, and this is his version of saving her soul.

“If you would do anything, my offer shouldn’t be a surprise to you.”

“Except, I don’t think you know what the hell it means to offer a man like me anything.”

He takes another two steps and the look in his eyes now tells me I might have hope. I just might have reached him in some way.

An idea forms when a spark invades his hard gaze and I recognize the sexual haze filling his eyes.

How many times have I seen this man look at me like that and know he wants me?

He even said it.

He did.

So what I’m thinking now goes against everything I want, but what I wanted went to hell a long time ago.

“I know what I’m doing.”

He inches closer. “And what do you think I want, Persephone?”

The same thing Hades wanted. “Me.”

He recoils and his expression takes on a hardness which confuses me.

The desire in his eyes dims as he inclines his head, and the twitch of his lips is the only thing that tells me he’s considering my offer.

“You? You’re giving yourself to me.”

“My life for his.”

“But you wanted freedom.”

“I don’t want my father to die.”

“Do you understand what you’re offering me?”

“I do.” I nod, as if that will make him believe me even more.

He stares at me for a long moment as if he’s trying to figure me out. The waiting and suspense is more torture my mind can’t endure.

“Do you accept or not?” I feel like a cheap whore begging for a fuck.

“I think I might need something more to persuade me before I agree to anything. This is, after all, quite a big deal on my part.”

On his part?

What an asshole. I just offered my life in exchange for my father’s and he doesn’t see that as a big deal?

I suppose he can think whatever he wants since I’m the one who’s begging here. And since I am, I need to continue begging.

“What do I have to do to persuade you, Lukiyan?”

“Fuck me.”