His jaw works. “We are leaving Moscow.”
“Leaving?” That makes no sense, as Valery’s whole life is in Moscow. “Why?” I stand and walk toward him.
He shakes his head. “It’s a long story.”
I arch a brow. “I’ve got time.”
His jaw works as he glares at me. “Sit down.”
I can’t understand why he’s acting the way he is, but I do as he says and sit down in the armchair by the fireplace in the bedroom.
He sits opposite, watching me intently. “I’ve resigned as pakhan.”
My heart skips a beat as I wonder if he’s telling me he’s giving up everything for us. For a while now, I’ve realized that we can’t be together if he intends to keep hold of his empire, as my father would annihilate him.
“Why did you do that?” Butterflies flutter to life in my stomach as I wait patiently for his reply.
“Because you are mine and I have no intention of letting you go.”
I feel my heart rate accelerate. “And you are willing to let your empire go? Your family’s legacy?”
His Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows. “There’s no other way, Anya. If I stay here and keep you, then your father will kill us both.”
I stand and walk toward him, sliding my arms around his waist and pulling him close. “Where are we going?”
He pulls back and looks into my eyes. “I have a plan, but I need to action it first to ensure it’s possible.”
Sighing, I accept that he’s not going to tell me his plan, even now, as he intends to flee with me.
He stands. “Pack a bag. We will leave in an hour.”
“What happens to all the staff?” I ask, wondering what will happen to Dina.
He shrugs. “No doubt Konstantin will keep them on.”
“Your Sovietnik?” I confirm.
“The new pakhan of the Morozov Bratva.”
He grabs my hand and squeezes it tightly. “Pack. I’ll go and make arrangements.” He turns and leaves me staring after him, trying to work out why a ruthless mob boss like him would give up everything he’s built for me.
I head to the walk-in closet, which Valery had stocked with clothes for me, and grab a suitcase. It feels a little surreal that I’m running from my birth city with a man who kidnapped me.
Despite it all, I’ve never felt more hopeful about my future. Love had never been in the cards for me, so it’s hard to believe I found it in the most unlikely place.
* * *
As we’re gettinginto the car outside, an explosion draws both of our attention to the gate. It’s been blown off its hinges and three black SUVs are heading toward us at speed.
“Fuck,” Valery curses. “We can’t drive out of here. Come on.” He grabs my hand and pulls me in the opposite direction toward the back of the house.
“How are we going to escape on foot?” I shout.
He doesn’t answer me as I focus on trying to keep up and not tripping over my own feet. And then he suddenly pulls me into the observatory, opening a hatch in the floor.
My brow furrows. “A tunnel system?”
Valery nods. “It connects the entire region, so we can get the hell out of here. I built my home here because of the access to the old revolutionaries’ tunnels.” He nods at it. “Get in, now.”