Page 157 of Kings & Queen

I thought about his words for a minute, my mind trying to picture a mother sacrificing the ability to raise a son, only to have him meet such a tragic end. Guilt for their death whirled inside me, making me tear up once more. I shifted my focus to get the answers he might have.

“So Owen wasn’t a super fan of mine?” I asked, feeling a huge sense of relief.

“No. Owen, in a past life, was a soldier. A killer, if you will. He was tasked with finding, rescuing, and returning you. When I received his letter, telling me he couldn’t proceed with the mission any longer, I was furious. He sent me all the intelligence he had on the man responsible. The one who was not in attendance the night of the rescue. He was supposed to find the man.”

“The Mask?” I whispered and shuddered. “Did you ever find him?”

I couldn’t tear my eyes away from his weathered face as he spoke. His thick accent filled the room, carrying a gleam of satisfaction. Hope surged within me, almost making it hard to breathe.

Mikhail’s lips curled as he replied, “Oh, yes, my child.” His voice carried a hint of finality. “Not a single trace of him or his blood exists on this earth. Anyone I could find, associates, family, all of them. Gone. Fedorov made sure of it. I was in prison, ironically for something I hadn’t done, so he took up the mantle on my behalf.”

As the implication dawned on me, a shiver ran down my spine. I breathed in and out, reveling in the moment. Closure. The weight of my past collided with the realization that I was free.

“Why did you come for me now?” My voice once more wobbled.

I had a family. The reality of their legacy, while more complex and dangerous than I imagined, didn’t frighten me. Maybe it should have, but there was a relief in knowing that the Mask and anyone related or associated with him breathed no more. But then I gulped, thinking about X.

“There was a girl, a woman. Heavily scarred on half of her face. She would have been with him. Unwillingly.”

“Fedorov made no mention of such a woman, and he would have. When he was found, he was in the beginning phases of rebuilding what he once had.”

“So he didn’t have another set of girls? And you’re sure the woman wasn’t with him? She would have had a branding mark. An X placed on top of her…her…” My voice trailed off, and tears filled my eyes.What happened to her?

“There were no children. Only one woman, who we came to find out was a teacher, older.”

“Professor,” I whispered, shuddering.

“Gone as well. I am nothing, if not thorough. Even the wife and son.” He breathed out, his nostrils flaring, and his cheek twitched.

“Then I can have my life back. I’m free?” I asked, feeling dumbfounded as the full weight of a new reality washed over me in waves.

“We would like you to come home. To yourrealfamily.”

“My real family?” I scoffed. “No, my real family sits outside that door.” I pointed to it. “It also consists of three other little girls just like me, who lived in hell for two years. It includes that woman with the scars. I don’t know you.” I heaved in a deep breath, feeling more determined than ever. “I’ve been told that the man you work for deals in the skin trade? Why on earth would I ever want to be anywhere near someone who thinks that’s okay? You have no idea the hell those women go through, none. It sickens me that you would ever think—”

“I don’t know where you heard that information, but it’s wrong.” His voice grew harsh. “The only skin trade we’re in is in rescue. How do you think we found you?”

“What?”

“Yes, unfortunately, you have to appear to be into their sick world to gain a foothold. It’s not as easy as you think. Did Owen not tell you the story?”

“He wanted to, but I…” I turned as the door opened, revealing Sophia.

“I wanted to check in and make sure everything was okay.”

I stood abruptly.

“Kinsley, please,” Mikhail said. If he really was as powerful as Alek said, it was the closest thing to begging a man of his stature would do.

“I’m sorry. I can’t have this conversation right now. If you care at all for me, then you’ll leave me alone. Let me go,” I said, meeting his eyes.

Overwhelming thoughts of confusion, hurt, and excitement held me almost hostage. I didn’t know how to feel. There were too many thoughts running around in my head.

“Very well. I do care, and if walking away is what you need, I’ll do it. It will pain me to do so, but if at ever you need…Maybe in time…” His voice trailed off, and he ran a hand through his hair.

He stood. Alek filled the doorframe with his body, and in the hall, the guys waited.

“Ready to go, little love?” Ivan asked, and I nodded.