Page 20 of Darkest Game (The Dark Mafia #3)

Chapter Eleven

Irina

“ I nteresting… dogs,” Mom says, trying to smile but it only comes across as a grimace. The two dogs are seated at the bottom of my bed in the guestroom.

“They’re sweet.” I give them each a head rub and they snuggle back into the mattress.

“They were just kept prisoner because of their breed. But don’t let their breed fool you.

” My mind flashes to Liam. Everyone in this household hates him for kidnapping me but I don’t think Liam is evil like they make him out to be.

Mikhail and Nico have done terrible things.

Liam is no different. They’re judging him because he’s involved with the Irish mob instead of getting to know him.

“What are you going to name them?” Mom sits beside me, brushing my hair just like she did when I was a little girl.

“I think Luna for the rottweiler. And Bear for the pit bull. She looks sweet like a Luna and he’s strong like a bear.”

“I think those are great names. I’m just happy to have you back. I never want to lose you or any of my daughters ever again.”

“I know it’s been tough on you, Mom.” I bite my lip. If there’s anyone I can trust with the truth, it’s her. “Mom?”

“Yes?” She extends a hand to Luna and she sniffs it before licking her fingers. Mom smiles and pats her head.

“Would you be disappointed in me if I said I… miss Liam.”

She stares at me in shock. “Irina.”

“Please don’t sound like that. He saved my life, Mom. Multiple times.”

“He’s also the reason you were in that mess. Mikhail told me about it. He killed Jack Finnigan just to get to you. To steal you away.”

“No. He killed Jack to save me. Jack was going to…” My throat seizes up at the memory. His hands on my body. The eagerness in his eyes that made me cold.

“What? Honey, you can tell me.”

“He was going to rape me,” I whisper. “Liam saved me from him. Then he saved me again and again. All from other bad men who would hurt me. From Elaine Finnigan herself. She’s not a good person.

She’s not to be trusted. Why can’t anyone understand this?

Mikhail and Nico are so dead set on finding Liam and killing him that they’re not listening to me.

I don’t think Liam deserves to die. I don’t want him to die. ”

“Oh honey.” She runs her hand down my back but it offers me no comfort.

“You experienced intense trauma in a matter of a few days. It’s understandable that you would cling to him.

That you would seek safety in whoever you could find it in.

But I don’t trust the Irish. And I don’t trust Liam O’Connor.

Neither should you. Put him from your mind.

You’re home now. We’re all together. Focus on that. ”

“He’s my husband.”

“Not of your choosing. Soon, he won’t be.”

I jerk away from her, getting off the bed. Both dogs raise their heads, giving me concerned looks. “Sasha didn’t choose Nico. She was forced into that marriage but now Nico and Mikhail are partners. No one made Sasha divorce Nico. Why can’t you give me the same courtesy?”

“Because…”

“Because?”

“Because you’re no Sasha. You’re the sweetest of my girls.

The most innocent. I want to make sure you’re safe and being with Liam O’Connor is not going to make you safe.

Now, I understand that you went through a lot of trauma.

I’m not angry with you. But you need to start putting Liam from your mind. ”

“It’s only been a day since I was saved. Give me time.”

“Of course.” She smiles but it’s tight and doesn’t reach her eyes. “Of course. I’ll leave you be for the night.”

She leaves without another word or look in my direction.

My mom was never one for a lot of physical affection growing up.

I know she was only trying to comfort me given what I went through.

And now she’s back to being the mom I remember.

The one who’s always there for her daughters but isn’t exactly warm.

My mind goes back to Liam and the looks he gave me. How intense and sexy they were. My body responds to those memories as a heat spreads through me. I can’t deny it: I miss Liam.

I wish I could speak to him again and figure out what I’m feeling.

But I know that’s an impossible task.

I slump onto the bed and lean against both dogs. They snuggle into me, letting me know I’m not alone at least.

Ana begs for us to go to Central Park as a family for the day.

“It’s not safe,” Mikhail says over the breakfast table. “Not after what happened with Irina and the Irish.”

“I wouldn’t mind going out too,” I say. “I’ve been locked up for so long. It would be nice to enjoy the sunny weather and have fun as a family.”

“I think it’s a good idea,” Natalya adds. Mikhail gives her a pointed look which she ignores. “I want a fun day with my family. You will be there. And we can invite Nico and Sasha. We’ll be safe. You will keep us safe.”

“I’ll have to hire a few extra guards.” Mikhail sighs. “But all right. Let’s do it. If you girls really want it.”

“We do!” Ana says, practically bouncing in her seat.

I know how tired we all are of being cooped up so a nice day out is going to be a luxury.

Central Park is more beautiful than I remember. We used to come here all the time when I was a kid but now that I’ve gone through what I’ve gone through, I can appreciate the park even more.

We spend the day going to the zoo and watching random performances that are all over the park. Ana screams when she tries to feed some ducks and they chase after her, which leads to all of us laughing. She soon joins in.

It’s so nice to actually laugh with my family for once. Denis kept us in such a state of panic for so many years. I never thought I would have a moment like this again.

We end up at the Bethesda fountain, taking a moment to rest out feet. Mikhail and Nico are constantly surveying our surroundings for dangers. It must be exhausting to be them. To not even have fun for a day.

“I have to use the restroom,” I say, nodding to where the public bathrooms are.

“I’ll go too,” Natalya adds.

“I have to go,” Ana says.

Sasha sighs. “Might as well make it a girl date at the bathroom.”

“One of us should go with you,” Mikhail says.

“Obviously me,” Nico says, “since I’m better at taking care of them then you are.”

Mikhail stifles his sigh. “Just make sure they’re safe.”

The five of us head to the restroom. I finish first and leave the building. It’s in a shady part of the park, surrounded by trees. Nico is leaning against the building, keeping an eye on things.

I walk around the side of the building just to get a breather. After being kept prisoner for days and then on the run with Liam, I need a moment to not be watched. Just a moment to myself.

I take a deep breath in and out but it doesn’t calm me. Liam. I still miss him even though it’s been days since I came home.

It’s then that I see something shocking.

Liam is here. In Central Park. He’s just sitting on a park bench. Even from this distance, I can tell it’s him.

I know this is dangerous and stupid but I go over to him. A glance over my shoulder tells me that Sasha and Nico are talking so they don’t even notice me.

“Liam,” I say once I reach him.

He looks up at me, his eyes wide, before he scrambles to his feet. “Irina. What are you doing here?”

“I’m here with my family.”

“Ah. You mean Mikhail and Nico are here and I should probably leave before they kill me.”

I wince. “Probably. What are you doing here?”

“I lost a few men from an explosion. We were checking out one of Elaine’s properties and it was rigged. She’s been making it difficult to find her. So I came here to think. To clear my head.”

“You didn’t know I was here?”

“No,” he says in a gentle voice. “I didn’t know you were here. If I had known… I probably wouldn’t have come.”

My breath hitches. “Why not?”

“Because it’s dangerous. Because you belong with your family over me.”

“I’ve missed you,” I admit, shocking even myself.

“Fuck. You shouldn’t say that to me.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’m tempted to take you back. You are my wife after all. But I don’t want a war with Mikhail and Nico while I’m dealing with Elaine. And I don’t want to put you in a position where you could get hurt again. So that’s why you shouldn’t tell me that.”

“I’m sorry.” I duck my chin, my face on fire.

Liam places two fingers under my chin, raising my face up to his.

“You don’t have to be sorry. I’ve… missed you too.

I never thought I would feel this way. I mean, fuck.

We’ve only known each other for less than a week.

” He lowers his hand but I can still feel his fingers on my skin.

It makes me want to feel his fingers in other places.

I blush at the thought. That thought is the last one I should be having.

“I should go,” he says. “I don’t want to start a shootout in the middle of Central Park.”

“All right.” A part of me wants to ask Liam if we can find a way to see each other again. After what we went through together, it’s only fair. But the words don’t come.

Something in my gut tells me to look over Liam’s shoulder. When I do, I notice a man hiding in the trees. He has a gun with him.

I grab Liam’s arm with a gasp. “Liam. Look!”

He spins around right as the man fires off his gun. The bullet – which can’t even be heard since he’s using a silencer – hits the ground right beside us. Liam throws his body onto mine.

“Oh my god!” I hear Natalya scream. When I look to my right, I see her and Sasha running towards me. Nico is right behind them. “Get off her! Get off her!”

Oh no. They think Liam is attacking me.

I look to my right and see Elaine in the trees with the man. “Elaine is here.”

Liam pulls me to my feet and takes my hand, pulling me in the opposite direction as Elaine and the shooter. And the opposite direction as my family.

“Let her go!” Natalya screams.

But Liam doesn’t stop running.

“What are you doing?” I ask, keeping pace with him.