Page 31 of Darkest Game (The Dark Mafia #3)

He places a gentle kiss to my lips. I could get lost in this moment forever… until my cell phone rings.

My mom made sure to get me and Ana one when we first moved in with Mikhail and Natalya. Denis took away my cell phone when he first moved in. When Liam took me, I didn’t have it on me. I’m honestly not used to hearing it ring.

I see that it’s my mom calling. “She doesn’t know I left and she’s probably scared. I need to answer this.” I press the answer button. “Mom?”

“Irina, where are you? Thank god you’re not dead.”

“I’m safe. I promise.”

“Thank god.” She pauses for a long moment and there’s a heavy weight to it. “Where are you? You’re not here.”

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 na?ve. 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?”

“No. No, I’m not hurt. Mom.” I pull away from her. “I know you’re worried and I love you for it. You just want to see me safe. But I have been controlled my entire life. Now that I’m an adult, I don’t want to be anymore. You need to give me space.”

“Space so you can run off to Liam again?”

“Why do you hate him so much? I told you. He saved my life on –,”

“Multiple occasions. I know. But I’ve also known mafia men like him. They’re careless. Reckless. He’ll put you into danger. He already has. So just stay away from him. For my sake.”

“No. I care for Liam. I gave my body to Liam. I will not be controlled. And if you’re going to do this to me, then I’m not going to stay in this house.”

“Irina.”

I walk back outside and run to the end of the driveway. Mom follows behind. None of the guards stop us.

“Don’t go,” she says.

“I’m tired of being a prisoner. If you can promise to stop controlling me and shaming me for how I feel when it comes to Liam, I’ll stay. Otherwise, I’m going to call him to come pick me up. I want to spend time with you and my sisters. But not if I’m going to be a prisoner. I just can’t.”

A car pulls up at the end of the driveway, a mere feet from me. Before I can fully understand what’s happening, the back door opens up and… Denis gets out.

He grabs me and yanks me inside the car before I can scream. But my mom screams for me and Mikhail’s guards come running.

But the driver is pulling away before the guards can save me. They try shooting at the car. It’s pointless. The driver picks up speed and gets away, with me in the car.

Denis smiles down at me as I’m frozen in fear. “Nice to see you again, Irina. Elaine is looking forward to having a chat with you.”