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"Such an obedient girl," he murmured. "It makes everything I did for you worthwhile."

My heart stopped. "What you did for me?"

"Your father will never hurt you again. You're no longer responsible for his debt."

I drew my head back, the words hitting me like a physical blow. "I don’t understand." I stared at him, not daring to believe what I'd heard.

"It's been handled." He pulled me onto his lap, one hand splaying possessively across my lower back while the other tilted my chin up to meet his gaze. "You're free of him."

Was it possible? Could I trust what he was telling me? Or was this just another game to keep me compliant?

"You're shaking," he observed, and I realized he was right.

His grip tightened around my waist, supporting me.

His thumb traced along my bottom lip, still swollen from his use. "Your life depends on understanding that you belong to me now. Completely. No debts, no obligations to anyone else."

His voice was quieter now. "He'll never hurt you again. Never demand anything from you. You're mine now, babygirl. Only mine."

Only his.

I noticed him catch himself, his jaw tightening as he fought against his own softening.

He muttered something in Russian that sounded like a curse at himself.

My mind reeled.

Free of my father's debt. I'd wanted that so desperately, needed it more than air.

But how? Had Pavel paid them off?

Only his.

Was I only his because he’d now bought and paid for me?

Did I now owe him?

Then I looked down at Pavel's bloodied knuckles where his hands now rested on the arms of the chair, a reminder of all the nights he’d returned home with blood splattered on his clothes.

Was one of those nights…? No. Oh god.

A sinking suspicion settled in my stomach.

My voice came out as barely a whisper, thick with dread. "What did you do to him?"

CHAPTER 23

ALINA

His gaze narrowed. “What I had to."

"Why?"

"Because you are under my protection. Period." The way he said it, like it was just a fact of life, made my body hum with something I didn't dare give a name.

"Is he dead?" I asked.

"Yes." There was no hesitation, no pause.