Page 94 of Innocent Prey of the Bratva

But instead—

“Okay,” he says.

My breath catches.

“What?” I blink, sure I misheard him.

His eyes are dull, tired in a way that unsettles me more than rage ever could. “You can go,” he says. “If that’s what it takes for you to believe I’m not a monster…then go. I’ll arrange everything. I’ll send you home.”

I just stare at him, stunned. No threats. No manipulations. Just…surrender.

“Good.” The words hollow something inside me. And at that moment, I don’t know if I’m relieved…or breaking.

Because I never expected him to let me go. And now that he has—I don’t know what to do with the pieces.

“Pack your things,” he says. “I’ll get Maxim to take you home.”

He walks to the door. His steps are heavy, slow, like his body is resisting every movement. He opens it and speaks without turning. “Maxim,” he says, voice rough. “Get ready to escort Violet home.”

I even flinch at the word—home. It sounds hollow now.

Kaz steps outside the bedroom door and locks the door behind him, leaving me alone.

“Home?” I hear Maxim hiss. They’re both still standing just outside the room, and I can hear them clear as day.

“What are you doing?” Maxim asks, his tone low but tense. “Kaz, this isn’t safe. You know that.”

“She’ll be fine,” Kaz says. “Arina’s been sent away. There’s no threat. If she wants to go, I won’t stop her.”

I freeze for a second, a sick feeling tightening in my chest. He really meant it. I pack only the things that are mine. My clothes. My toiletries. Nothing more. All the expensive things he bought me—the silk robes, the designer shoes, the glittering jewelry I never asked for—I leave them behind. Every one of them feels like a chain disguised as a gift. I won’t carry any of it with me.

When I zip the bag shut, it feels final. A part of me expected him to argue, to fight me on it—to throw a fit and lock every damn door like he always does when he’s scared of losing control. But he didn’t. He said nothing. And that silence felt louder than any outburst ever could.

“Why are you doing this?” I hear Maxim asks. “Did you two have a fight?”

“No.” Kaz’s voice is quiet. “She thinks I’m a monster,” I say quietly. “And maybe I am.”

Maxim doesn’t respond. But his silence is louder than anything he could say.

“I’ve kept her locked up in this world—mine,” I continue. “I’ve killed for her. Lied to her. Hidden things. She wants to go because she believes she’ll be safer without me. Let her see what the outside world looks like without me.”

I take one last look around the room that’s held too much of me—my fear, my confusion, my reluctant desire—and then I walk to the door.

Kaz and Maxim step aside as I emerge. Kaz doesn’t meet my eyes. He looks like a man unraveling and trying to pretendhe’s not. I walk past him, but before I leave completely, I stop at the threshold and turn to him, my chin high, my voice cold.

“I was living just fine before you,” I say. “And I can live just fine after.”

He flinches. Just a little. But I see it. I start to walk away, but I don’t make it far before I feel him. His hand curls around my arm, stopping me, pulling me gently but firmly until I’m facing him again. His other hand cups the back of my neck, his thumb brushing the edge of my jaw.

“You can run from me now, Violet,” he says, voice low and wrecked, “but I won’t let you run far.”

My breath catches. His eyes burn into mine—fierce, broken, desperate.

“Because I love you,” he says. “And I love our baby. And no matter how far you go, I will always find you.”

His lips press to my forehead, the kiss gentle. Reverent.

Then he lets me go.