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“Shh, it’s okay,” she murmurs into my hair, rubbing my back soothingly. “Let it all out. I’m here for you.”
My breath hitches, and I clutch at her, anchoring myself to her unwavering presence. “I don’t know what to do, Sienna. Everything is so messed up.”
“Hey,” she says softly, pulling back just enough to look me in the eyes. “We’ll figure it out, together. But for now, let’s just have a girls’ night, okay? We’ll watch a movie, eat some junk food, and forget about everything else for a little while.”
Her suggestion brings a small smile to my lips, the first one I’ve managed since stepping out of that building. “A girls’ night sounds perfect right now.”
“Good.” She squeezes my shoulder before releasing me from her embrace. “Now, let’s get upstairs and start our night of shameless indulgence.”
As we make our way up to her apartment, I can’t help but feel grateful for Sienna’s unwavering support. Despite the darkness that has enveloped my life, she remains a beacon of light—a constant reminder that I’m not alone in this fight.
“Alright,” Sienna says as she unlocks her door and ushers me inside. “You get comfortable on the couch while I grab some snacks and pick a movie.”
“Okay,” I murmur, taking a seat on the plush cushions and wrapping a nearby blanket around myself. The familiar scent of her home instantly soothes me, like a balm to my frayed nerves.
Sienna returns a few minutes later, her arms laden with popcorn, chocolate, and a bottle of wine. As she sets everything down on the coffee table, I can’t help but chuckle at the sheer amount of comfort food she’s gathered. “Think we have enough?”
“Hey, when it comes to girls’ nights, there’s no such thing as too much,” she replies with a grin, popping the cork on the wine bottle and pouring us each a generous glass.
“Fair enough.” I accept the wine with a grateful nod, taking a sip and savoring the warmth as it spreads through me.
“Here’s to forgetting our troubles, even if just for a night,” Sienna declares, raising her glass in a toast.
“Cheers,” I agree, clinking my glass against hers before taking another long drink.
As the movie begins to play on the screen, I allow myself to sink into the comfort of Sienna’s apartment, the stress of recent events fading ever so slightly. For now, with my best friend by my side, I can forget about the dangerous world waiting outside these walls and simply exist—safe, loved, and at peace.
The soft glow of the floor lamp casts a warm, inviting light over Sienna’s cozy living room. We settle into the plush couch, our wine glasses filled to the brim, and the anticipation of diving into our innermost thoughts hangs in the air like a thick mist.
“Annalise, I can’t believe you’re involved with the Volkov brothers.” Sienna’s voice cracks as she speaks, her shock and disbelief evident. “I mean, they’re practically royalty in the criminal underworld.”
I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what I’m about to share. “I never planned for any of this, Sienna. It just…happened.”
“Tell me about them,” she urges softly, placing a comforting hand on my knee.
“Damian is the oldest,” I begin, searching for the right words. “His sister went missing years ago, and it’s been tearing him apart ever since. He’s ruthless and cunning, but there’s a vulnerability beneath that hardened exterior. I think he sees something in me that reminds him of her.”
“God, that’s intense,” Sienna murmurs, her eyes wide with empathy.
“Then there’s Nikhil,” I continue, my voice trembling slightly. “He believes that I’m the best thing he could ever have, that I can somehow save him from his past. He’s so desperate for love and acceptance, Sienna. It’s almost heartbreaking.”
“Wow, Annalise.” She shakes her head in disbelief. “And Cassius?”
“Ah, Cassius…” My heart flutters at the mention of his name. “He’s different from the others. He genuinely wants me to be happy and safe, even if that means letting me go. There’s a sincerity in him that I’ve never experienced before.”
Sienna chews on her lower lip, her brow furrowed in thought. “This is…a lot to take in. But I can see how it happened. You’ve always been drawn to those who need healing, Annalise.”
“Maybe,” I admit, my fingers tracing the rim of my wine glass. “But I never wanted to be caught in the middle of this dangerous world. My daughters deserve better.”
“Whatever happens next,” Sienna reassures me, squeezing my hand with conviction, “I’ll be here for you. You’re not alone in this.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, feeling a weight lift from my chest. “That means more to me than you could ever know.”
Together, we sit in a comfortable silence, lost in our thoughts and the warmth of our friendship. For now, I can pretend that the darkness doesn’t exist, pretend that I’m simply a woman seeking solace in the company of her dearest friend.
A sudden burst of laughter escapes Sienna, cutting through the heavy atmosphere in the room. “You know, Annalise, it’s almost like you’ve stumbled into some kind of twisted fairy tale—bratva version.”
“Sienna!” I scold her, but I can’t help the smile that tugs at my lips. “This is serious.”
