Chapter 61 Anya
The police took Alexei away.
I watched them drag him across the roof. He was screaming my name. Cursing and telling me it wasn't over.
I let out a sigh.
Finally, it was over.
"Are you okay?" Nikolai asked softly.
"I do not know." I looked up at him. "Is it really over?"
"Yes. He is going to prison for a very long time."
"What if he escapes? What if he comes back?"
"Then I will kill him. Properly this time."
I should have been horrified. But I was not.
Because I knew Nikolai meant it. And part of me was grateful for that.
"Come on." He took my hand. "Let us get you out of here."
We went back downstairs. The garden was being cleared. Bodies were being removed. Guests were being questioned.
Dmitri was sitting on a bench. A medic was checking him over.
When he saw me, he stood up. "Anya."
"Dmitri." I ran to him and hugged him tightly. "You are alive. You are really alive."
"So are you." He hugged me back. "I am sorry. I am so sorry for everything."
"No. I am sorry. I should have never made you feel like you were a burden."
"You did not. I made myself feel that way." He pulled back and looked at me. "I was wrong. About everything. You deserve to be happy. Even if it is with him."
He glanced at Nikolai.
Nikolai stood a few feet away. Giving us space. But watching carefully.
"He saved your life," I said.
"I know. I do not understand why. But I know."
"Because I asked him to."
"No." Dmitri shook his head.
"Because he loves you. He really loves you. I can see it now."
Tears filled my eyes. "I love him too."
"I know. And I am done standing in the way." Dmitri took my hand and walked me over to Nikolai. "Take care of her. Or I will kill you myself."
Nikolai smiled slightly. "Deal."
They shook hands. An understanding passing between them.
It was not forgiveness. Not yet. But it was a start.
"What happens now?" I asked.
"Now we go home," Nikolai said. "All of us."
"But your wedding. To Katya. It is in two days."
His face darkened. "Oh, that's true." He looked into my eyes. As though looking for answers. "There will be no wedding.” He said finally.
"What?"
"I am calling it off. I never should have agreed to it in the first place."
"But..."
"No buts." He cupped my face. "I love you, Anya. Only you. And I am done pretending otherwise."
Relief flooded through me. "What about Katya?"
"I will deal with her. She will understand. Or she will not. Either way, I do not care."
"She will be hurt."
"She knew what she was getting into. She knew I did not love her."
I wanted to argue. But I was too tired and emotionally drained.
"Take me home," I whispered.
"Always."
He picked me up and carried me to his car. Dmitri followed behind us. While Mikhail drove.
We left the estate behind. Left the chaos and the blood and the nightmare.
As we drove away, I looked back one last time.
The place where I almost married Alexei. The place where I almost lost everything.
But I did not. Because Nikolai came for me.
He always came for me.
We arrived at Nikolai's mansion an hour later.
The staff greeted us nervously. They had heard about the attack. About the violence.
"Prepare rooms for Dmitri," Nikolai ordered. "And bring medical supplies. We all need to be checked."
"Yes, Pakhan."
They scattered quickly.
Nikolai carried me upstairs to his bedroom.
He set me down gently on the bed. "Let me look at you to make sure you are not hurt."
"I am fine. Just a few scratches."
"I will decide that."
He checked me over carefully. Cleaning wounds I had not even noticed and bandaging my cuts.
His hands were gentle. You wouldn't know he was just holding a gun, ready to kill.
"You were going to drop him off the roof," I said quietly.
His hands stilled. "Yes."
"Would you have really done it?"
"I do not know. Maybe. Probably." He looked at me. "Does that scare you?"
"A little."
"I understand. And I am sorry. I never wanted you to see that side of me."
"But it is part of who you are."
"Yes."
I reached up and touched his face. "I fell in love with all of you, Nikolai. The good and the bad. The darkness and the light. All of it."
"Even the monster?"
"You are not a monster. You are just... broken. Like me."
He leaned his forehead against mine. "What did I do to deserve you?"
"Nothing. And everything."
We sat there for a long moment, breathing on each other.
Then there was a knock on the door.
"Come in," Nikolai called.
Katya walked in. Her eyes were red from crying.
"I heard what happened," she said quietly. "At Alexei's wedding."
"Katya..." Nikolai started.
"No. Let me speak." She took a deep breath. "I know you are going to call off our wedding. I know you love her. I have always known."
"I am sorry."
"Do not be. I knew what I was getting into. I just... hoped." She wiped her tears. "But hope is not enough. Not when you look at her the way you do."
She walked over to me. "Take care of him. He is more fragile than he looks."
"I will," I promised.
"Good." She turned to Nikolai. "I am leaving. Tonight. I will send for my things later."
"Where will you go?"
"Somewhere far away. Where I do not have to see you two together."
She smiled sadly. "Maybe I will find my own love story. One where I am actually wanted."
"You deserve that."
"I know." She walked to the door and paused. "Goodbye, Nikolai. I hope you find the happiness you are looking for."
"Goodbye, Katya."
She left. And with her, the last obstacle between Nikolai and me.
"It is really just us now," I said.
"Yes. Is that okay?"
"More than okay."
He climbed onto the bed and pulled me into his arms.
And for the first time in months, I felt safe.
Really, truly safe.
"I love you," I whispered.
"I love you too. Always."
We fell asleep like that, tangled together.