by Liz K. Lorde
Getting hired for the big event was almost too easy, but I guess I have Yuri to thank for that.
Since we discovered their location, Yuri has been notably absent from his home. At first, I wondered at his disappearance, but the reason soon became obvious.
He knows I’m alive, there’s no other explanation for it.
I smile at the thought, thanking my good fortune.
With him out hunting me, things have become much easier on our end.
It’s only due to Yuri’s absence, that Nico and I were able to sneak past his defenses. Had he been here, we would likely have caught a couple bullets rather than found jobs.
“Cas.” Nico whispers suddenly from my side.
He stares pointedly ahead and I track his gaze.
Ana.
It’s the first time I’ve set eyes on her since the night of our wedding, and that’s still more than a little fuzzy.
Her beauty seems to strike me anew as I spot her, her golden hair practically glowing in the mid-day sun.
She walks slowly into the garden, a thin dress blowing around her legs. Her mother is at her side, speaking quietly in Ana’s direction. I note the way her face seems to have fallen, her eyes once again taking on the empty, depthless look from when I first found her.
“Don’t even think about it.” Nico warns, halting me from approaching Ana.
I stop immediately, controlling myself through sheer force of will.
Sure, I’d like nothing more than to run directly to her. But getting myself killed now won’t help anyone.
“Thanks.” I mutter.
Nico grins, gesturing towards a nearby shrub. I follow him behind it, peering around the side to keep tabs on Ana.
“The garden is vulnerable.” Nico says, gesturing around idly, “The front’s a real bitch, but we might be able to sneak out this way.”
I nod, having thought the same thing.
“It’s getting out of the mansion that will give us the most trouble though, I’m sure security will be tight the day of the wedding.” I add.
“If everything goes according to plan, that won’t be an issue, right?”
“True, but we should come up with something, just in case.”
“Alright.”
We lower our heads together, speaking quietly. It doesn’t take long, our options being severely limited. At this point, we can only choose the least suicidal course of action, there are no safe bets.
After a brief discussion, we both nod, having come to an agreement.
In case all hell breaks loose, Ana will have a way out, which is the most important thing.
As our words trail off, I peek back around the shrub, gazing back out at Ana. She and her mother have started back towards the mansion, nearing the door as I watch. The sadness that seems to have engulfed her, breaks my heart.
I know that she saw my loft burning, but I am certain that Yuri won’t tell her about my miraculous survival.
She thinks I’m dead. Again.
I feel rage sweep quickly through me.
How much must she suffer at the hands of that monster?
Is there no end to the things he’ll put her through?
I grind my teeth, turning quickly back towards Nico.
“I have to see her.” I say, my voice brooking no argument.
“Yeah, knew that was coming.” He sighs, letting the following silence drag.
“Nico—“
“Alright, alright, don’t start begging. It makes you look like a bitch.”
Even with the flood of pain and anger coursing through me, I can’t help but smile.
“So?”
“I’ll create a diversion,” he says, looking mischievously around, “but be careful. Okay?”
I nod, feeling excitement build in my chest.
I might not be able to save Ana today, but at least I can ease her pain. She needs to know that I’m alive, that I’m coming for her.
“You owe me.” Nico says, stepping out into plain view.
Ana and her mother are already back inside, leaving only guards and staff to linger about.
Nico strolls calmly into their midst, waving theatrically to the largest group of muscle.
His words are lost to me from a distance, but that does little to diminish the effect.
I find myself biting my tongue in an attempt to control my laughter, watching as Nico gestures wildly about like a madman.
He points to the far end of the garden, motioning as if describing something very large, his eyes widening in fear.
Whatever he says seems to do the trick, as the entire guard staff is making a beeline in that direction.
Other staff members flee from their path, terror seeming to wash over them.
Nico turns stealthily back to me, winking in my general direction before he turns to leave.
I wait only a moment longer before moving. Luckily, more men flood from the doorway.
I stroll confidently forward as they pass, with my shoulders up and giving the impression that I am allowed in the property.
I know it’s foolish to take this risk. Ana would find out I’m alive, sooner or later, anyway. But just the thought of her in pain, makes me feel sick.
I slink silently into the mansion, checking the hall before I proceed inward.
Stupid or not, I have to see my wife.
Chapter 28
Ana
My mother guides me slowly back into Yuri’s mansion. The walls seem too close to me as I follow her down the well-appointed hallway. I glance around as we walk, my eyes taking in the ridiculous luxury.
At first glance, one might think this place is paradise, but after having spent several weeks confined here, I can say with certainty that it’s nothing more than a gilded cage.
For me, anyway.
My mother opens the door to my room, gesturing for me to walk ahead.
I do as I must, walking back into the room that has become my cell. Truly, this place really does feel like a prison, and I am its only inmate.
“I hate to see you looking so down.” My mother says, pushing the door closed behind us, “You really need to look on the bright side here, Ana. Yuri is a strong man, a good provider.”
I can’t help but roll my eyes at her words. She knows nothing of the man she’s forcing me to marry. Or worse yet, she knows, but doesn’t care.
Either way, I bite my tongue around my retort, knowing it’s pointless to argue.
“It wasn’t so different with your father and I, you know.”
“Yes, mother, I know.”
“When I found out that I was going to be married, I was just as upset as you. Time is a funny thing, though. All these years later, I wouldn’t change a thing. You just wait and see; you may come to love Yuri yet.”
Her words make me feel sick to my stomach.
Love Yuri?
The idea is utterly ridiculous.
I can still feel the ghosts of the bruises that he marked me with, still feel his overly heated breath wash over me as he pulled me roughly against him. I can see his eyes, only a hairsbreadth from mine, shining dementedly in a way that promised suffering with no end.
Yuri is a monster, a killer. Nothing more.
He isn’t even a man to me anymore. He’s nothing but the embodiment of my every terrible nightmare my fears and worries have given form.
“I don’t think so, Mother.” I say quietly, watching as her brow furrows in consternation.
“Well, not with that attitude.” She chides, looking at me as if I’m nothing more than a disobedient child.
I turn away from her, feeling anger flair up within me and trying desperately to keep it in check.
“I have to go to the bathroom,” I say quietly, already walking towards the door.
She nods politely, her most charming fake grin pulling at her lips.
“Okay, dear, we’ll talk when you get back.”
More than anything, I wish she’d just leave.
It’s bad
enough that I’ve become a prisoner, forced to marry the one person I loathe above all others. I also have to spend hours every day, listening to my mother explain how this is really a blessing.
It’s enough to drive a person mad.
I enter the bathroom, closing the door quickly behind me before crossing to the sink. I lower myself to reach underneath it. Quietly, I run my fingers along the ground, feeling for the box I’ve hidden here.
My hand knocks roughly into something, a small smile pulling at my lips for the first time in what feels like ages.
I’ve waited weeks for this moment, reminding myself every day of the possibility that there may still be something to hope for.
Reverently, I lift the pregnancy test, clinging tightly to it like it’s a lifeline.
In a way, I suppose it is.
Moments later, I find myself staring impatiently at the strip in my hand, my heart hammering as I wait to see the outcome.
My every hope seems to hinge on the moment, my very will to live depending entirely on the results of this small plastic strip.
My mind flashes stubbornly back to the image of Cas’ loft burning, with flames eating hungrily at the large structure. My heart aches within me, the pain still overwhelming in its intensity.
Losing Cas a second time nearly broke me, my soul seeming to fracture in the face of my loss.
I don’t think I’d be here now if it weren’t for the possibility that is now developing in my hand.
To get a chance to carry Cas’ child, to bring a part of him screaming back into the world—I don’t think that the gaping hole in my heart will ever actually be able to heal, but it might be a start.
“Ana, darling,” my mother calls, jarring me from my thoughts. “Hurry please, there’s a waiter here with cake for you to try!”
I sigh in frustration. After everything I’ve been through, does she truly believe that I give a damn about a wedding cake?
“Just a minute!” I answer, looking intensely at the test still clutched in my hand.
Come on, come on!
Three minutes has never passed so slowly as it is now. My heart flutters wildly, anticipation washing over me in waves.
A single line begins to appear in the small box on the strip, and I grab quickly for the directions.
One line means…
I skim the instructions frantically.
Not pregnant.
My heart seems to fall, all of my hope shriveling immediately inside of me.
The possibility of Cas’ child has been the only thing to sustain me these past weeks. As I stare raptly at the test, I feel the remainder of my strength begin to crumble, my eyes tearing rapidly at the revelation.
For a moment, I feel utterly hopeless.
“Ana!” My mother calls again, sounding impatient now.
I open my mouth to answer her, whether I’m going to tell her that I’ll be right there, or to go rot in hell, I couldn’t say.
Thankfully though, my words dissipate in the next moment, my mouth hanging agape as my eyes fall back towards the test strip.
Torturously slow, a second line has begun to develop beside the first, its bright blue coloring pulling my eyes roughly toward it.
Two lines.
Life seems to flood back through me, electricity surging into my veins like a shot of life.
I’m pregnant!
My hand flies quickly to my stomach, pressing softly as I marvel at the implications.
I’m pregnant. With Cas’ child.
My heart soars, relief washing over me in waves.
This is something that no one can take away from me. My baby is already growing inside of me, my and Cas’ baby. A small piece of him, alive and thriving.
I stand quickly, feeling renewed.
“Ana!” My mother calls again.
I smile broadly, even as tears begin to roll down my face.
“Coming, Mother!”
I quickly stash the test back under the sink, knowing better than to use the garbage can. Prisoners don’t have privacy, after all.
Wiping hastily at my tear stained cheeks, I reach for the doorknob, re-entering the room like a brand-new person.
I have a reason to live again, and I’ll do whatever it takes to protect it.
“There you are!” My mother says in exasperation. “Are you okay?”
I catch a glimpse of the waiter moving quickly through the doorway.
“Yes, fine, Mother.” I say, trying to hide the joy in my tone.
“Well, good,” she says, switching topics quickly. “You need to decide on a cake.”
She gestures towards the rolling tray at the foot of the bed, several plates of dessert settled neatly atop it.
“Personally,” she picks one, licking the frosting from a fork, “I like the vanilla.”
I groan inwardly as I approach, wishing I were alone to celebrate my news.
Just a few more minutes, and she’ll be out of my hair.
I force a small smile to my face, reaching down towards the various kinds of cake.
“Okay, I’ll try that fir…”
My words cut off abruptly, shock running quickly through my body as my eyes land on the tray.
“What is it?” My mother asks, actually looking concerned for a change.
With a force of will, I feign through my surprise, remaking my expression into something nearer to normal.
“Nothing…” I choke out, “I’ll try the vanilla first.”
I position my body before the tray, using my back to block her view.
Hesitantly, I reach downward, fearfully grabbing the shining object settled neatly on the tray.
Part of me is convinced that my fingers will pass right through it, that it will disappear at any moment.
As my trembling hand reaches it however, I feel the cold metal, the smooth surface slipping easily into my palm.
Cas’ wedding band.
My heart stutters painfully in my chest, my eyes flicking wildly around in search of him.
He’s alive!
Cas is alive!
“Well, go on.” My mother says, nudging playfully at my shoulder. “Try it.”
I close my fingers tightly around the band, squeezing until I feel the metal bite into my palm. I cling madly to it as I reach down for a plate, my mind spinning wildly.
Without tasting it, I begin to sample the cake.
Hope burning like a fire within me.
Chapter 29
Cas
I peer wearily around the corner, my heart beating wildly in my chest.
She’s so close now, only a matter of few feet away.
I smile widely, pulling back to the safety of my hiding spot. All I can do now is wait for Ana’s mother to leave.
Honestly, the anticipation is killing me. I nearly lost it earlier at the sound of her voice. Even hearing her call out from the other room was enough to send me reeling.
It took every ounce of my self-control not to run to her then and there, her mother be damned. I barely managed to contain myself, sticking to the plan and slipping the wedding band onto her tray instead.
Now, I wait impatiently down the hall, counting the seconds until I’m reunited with the woman I love. Time seems to drag endlessly, existence drawing out to the point of absurdity. It’s torture to be so near her and not be able to do anything about it.
After several minutes, I hear the distinct click of a door opening. Slowly, achingly so, I again peer quietly around the corner. Ana’s mother says something as she exits the room, her words lost to me in the distance.
My heart aches as Ana herself comes into view, her blonde hair shining in the dimly lit hall.
I watch as they say their goodbyes, my body thrumming with barely contained need by the time her mother turns away.
This is it.
After weeks of waiting, it’s finally time. I pull my head back, taking a deep breath to compose myself. I’ve held it together this long, it wouldn’t do to blow it now.
I listen to the footsteps that recede slowly down the hall, heels clicking out loudly like the hands of a clock. Tick tock. I can’t wait any longer.
Finally, the hall grows silent, my signal that it’s safe to move. I straighten my waiter’s uniform, running a hand idly through my hair.
With a final breath, I’m ready.
I stand up straighter, one foot beginning to lift.
Of course, it’s at this moment that I hear shouting. I instantly keep still, a growl slipping between my gritted teeth.
What now?
Indistinctly, the sound reaches my ears, Russian flowing freely down the length of the hall, the sound of heavy footsteps reaching me an instant later.
My blood runs cold, and my hands bunching instinctively into fists, as I recognize that voice.
After all, it’s hard to forget the man who left you for dead. Twice.
I peek around the corner, watching as Yuri progresses up the hall. His phone is pressed firmly to his ear, the snarl of his voice now ringing clearly.
Why am I even surprised?
Yuri has been the constant blight on our lives since day one. Of course, he’s chosen this moment to make a reappearance.
He snarls rudely into the phone before ending the call, shoving the device roughly into his pocket. His hand comes out clasping something else, a metallic shine making its way to my eyes.
Quickly, he reaches forward, unlocking Ana’s door from the outside. Without any announcement, he strolls inside, the door slamming into the frame behind him.
I don’t think and spare a second for consideration. The moment the door shuts, I’m already in motion. My skin grows hot in anger, my mind reeling at the thought of Yuri alone in there with Ana.
Recalling with painful clarity the bruises that he left on her and the endless chasm of hurt in Ana’s blue eyes as she recounted his violence, I storm angrily down the hall after him. My decision already made—I refuse to ever let that monster touch her again.
To hell with the plan!
I pause outside of her door, prepared to knock it down if I have to. My foot is halfway to the door’s weak point when I notice that it’s open, just enough to see through. Hesitating mid-kick as my mind battles between action and caution, I lower my foot and lean in close to the open door.
