Page 79 of Darkest Desire

But the longer I drive, the more I start to question it. Why did he let me go?

Is this another test? If it is, I can’t worry about that right now. I just need to see Natalya and let her know that I’m ok.

I decide to not drive to her house in case Nico is following me. I don’t want to lead him straight to her. So, instead, I find a café to park in front of and go inside and ask to borrow a phone.

“I’m in trouble,” I say to the barista behind the coffee bar. “I’m running from an abusive boyfriend and I need a phone.”

She gives me a sympathetic look. “Of course. Do you need me to call the police for you?”

“No. No police. Please. I need to call my sister.”

She hands over her phone and I quickly dial Natalya’s number. She answers on the second ring.

“Hello?”

“Natalya, it’s Sasha.”

“Sasha? When our plan didn’t work, I was so worried that Nico had hurt you.”

“He didn’t hurt me.” I squeeze my eyes at the memory of Nico making me kill Alek. “I’m back in New York. I need to see you. Let’s me somewhere. I’m at a café.”

“Ok. I’ll come see you.”

About twenty minutes later, Natalya enters the café and rushes to my side, throwing her arms around me. Feeling my sister’s hug warms my heart. But I have to admit, Nico’s hug is a lot better.

“How have you been?” she asks as we take a seat at a nearby table.

“Ok, for the most part. Nico is… he’s a conundrum to say the least.”

Her eyes rake over me. “You look ok, all things considered.”

“How have you been? I feel like I don’t ask enough.”

“Oh. Well… I’ve returned to the stage. I’m not sure if you knew that. I’ve been dancing again. It’s been amazing.”

A sting of bitterness hits my chest. “I’m glad. Truly. I’m happy for you.”

“You don’t exactly sound happy. I know you, Sasha. I wish I could have saved you from Nico. I still can. You can come live with me and Mikhail.”

A surge of hope blooms through me but it quickly disappears. “Nico would just burn you house down to get to me. I’ve seen him kill people, Natalya. It’s… scary. He even made me… kill a man.”

Her eyes bug out of her head. “What?!”

“Alek. The one Mikhail sent to save me. He failed at killing Nico and so Nico made me kill him.”

“Oh my god, Sasha.” She places her hand on my wrist. “You’re coming with me right now. I don’t care if Nico tries to burn my house down. I will protect you.”

“I… will you hate me if I say that I don’t hate Nico as much as I should?”

She slowly lets me go. “You don’t hate him? Has he abused you so much he’s brainwashed you?”

“You love Mikhail and he’s not a good man.”

“Yes but Mikhail has never made me kill anyone. You’re not safe with him. Come on. Lets go. We can work together to save our sisters.”

“How? I called Denis to Italy and even that didn’t save them.”

“Denis was in Italy? I didn’t know. I’m not sure Mikhail knew either.”