Page 85 of Darkest Game

I glance at Liam and quickly look away. I shouldn’t have to feel shame for being with my husband but I know my mom won’t see it that way. Liam is the man I was forced to marry. Not the man I chose.

But I choose him now.

“With Liam.” I’ve never been one to lie to my mom.

She sucks in a breath. “With Liam? Where? I’ll come get you.”

“Mom, he’s my husband. I trust him. He’s kept me safe so far. Why can’t you accept that?”

“Because I don’t trust him. Because he kidnapped you and that’s something I’ll never be able to forgive. Tell me where you are and I’ll come get you.”

“No. We’re enjoying time together. I’m safe. I’ll come home when I’m ready. I still want to see you and Liam won’t keep me from you.” I give him a look and after a beat, he nods. “I will have both you and Liam in my life. Ok? Just let me be.”

“Enjoying time together? What does that mean?” She’s quiet for too long. “Did you have sex with him?”

“Mom. Why would you ask me that?”

“I need to know. He kidnapped you and now he’s seducing you. So, did you?”

I clutch the phone tighter. “That’s my business. I am an adult after all.”

“So, you did,” she says in a flat voice.

“Yes,” I admit. “Is that a problem? He’s my husband. I want to be with him. He didn’t force me. I see nothing wrong with this.”

“Irina, I know you’ve always been the most innocent out of your sisters but do not be naïve. You gave your virginity to him. Of course he would say and do whatever he could to get your body. It’s not real. Just come home. I’ll keep you safe.”

“Like you kept me safe from Denis?”

It’s a low blow. I know my mom was just as much of a prisoner as I was to my uncle. But I said the words and I can’t take them back.

“Just come home,” she says in a hard tone. “Come home. I just need to keep you safe.” My strong mother. Hearing her voice break makes me realize that she’s just scared. She’s not trying to control my life. After losing my dad and then Denis controlling us for years, I get that she’s worried.

“Ok,” I finally say. “I’ll come home. But you need to let me form my own opinions and decisions in life. I want to be with Liam. But I will come home because I know you’re scared.”

“Thank you,” she breathes out and hangs up without a goodbye.

“I need to go home,” I tell Liam. “My mom needs to know I’m safe.”

“This is why I never bothered to get involved in any of the families of the girls I dated.”

“But were you happy with them?”

“No. I wasn’t. I’m happy with you though and I know your family means a lot to you. I’ll take you home. I need to go out and search for Elaine anyway. I would feel better knowing you’re safe at Mikhail’s house.”

Neither of us looks at each other as we get dressed. The moment is over. Ruined because of my mother.

Liam drives me to Mikhail’s house but it doesn’t feel like home. Being around Liam feels more like home to me now. I know that would crush my mother’s heart if she found out.

“Stay safe,” I tell him. “Looking for Elaine. I don’t want you to end up in the hospital like Mikhail.”

“I’ll try to be.”

That’s as good of an answer as I’m going to get.

The guards out front of Mikhail’s house are shocked to see me walk up. None of them even knew I had left.

The second I’m inside the house, my mom runs at me and wraps me in a hug. “Are you hurt?”