Page 162 of Beautiful Trauma

Dima stood before me.

The world around me shuddered to a stop. No, no, no! This couldn’t be happening. For a moment, I fought to breathe.

A smile curved on his face. “Mila, I’m so glad you could come.”

When I started backing away, he shook his head. “Get on the elevator.”

Since he was still on a cane, I reasoned that I might be able to out run him. “I have men waiting downstairs, so stop trying to think of a way out of this and get on the damn elevator.”

Tears burned my eyes as I reluctantly stepped forward. Once I got on, Dima jabbed the button for the doors to close. “Is Kira okay?” I choked out.

“Yes, she’s fine.”

My knees buckled, and I started to fall. But surprisingly Dima caught me. He was much more agile than the last time I’d seen him that night at Father’s. His face wasn’t creased with pain either.

When the elevator doors opened in the parking garage, I swallowed hard. Grabbing my arm, Dima dragged me beside him out of the elevator. As our shoes echoed off the silent pavement, I turned to him.

“What are you going to do to me?” I questioned in a hushed tone.

“That’s for Father to decide.”

Oh God. This couldn’t be happening. On shaky legs, I stumbled back. As horror rocketed through me, I choked out, “You’re taking me to him?”

“I am.”

“But why?”

“As a show of loyalty. Since my injury, he’s favored naming Aleksander as his heir. I needed a show of strength.”

“And you’d sacrifice your sister to do it?”

Dima’s blue eyes narrowed menacingly. “My sister died the day she chose a Kavanaugh over her own family.”

“What choice did I really have? Even if I hadn’t cared for Kellan, Father was going to kill me.”

“You could’ve died with honor.”

I slowly shook my head at him. “Jesus, Father has done a number on you.”

As Dima glared at me, a car engine roared to life. As an SUV came screeching up to us, Dima said, “Get in.”

As I opened the door, I wondered if this would be the last digital footprint of me before I disappeared forever.

The drive to Father’s was painfully silent. After a while, I turned to Dima. “Does Lev or Aleks know what you’re doing?”

“No. They don’t.”

“What about Maksim?

Dima grunted. “Maks is lucky he isn’t six feet under himself.”

“Why?”

“He’s been leading a secret movement within the men to have Father ousted.”

I gasped. “Does Father know?”

“Yes. That’s why he’s gone underground for the moment.”