Page 74 of His to Own

“You are. I just want to know what you’re getting up to.”

“Leave me alone, Polina.” I try brushing past her but she only gets in my way.

“You’re not going to win, Elena. The deadline for Professor Burgov’s internship is in less than a month. I know you haven’t submitted anything yet. You’re going to lose. And I’m going to win.”

“Just leave me alone!” I shriek. It startles Polina so much, she actually goes quiet. The librarian nearby shushes me with an annoyed look.

I hurry further into the library and find a solitude spot near the back of the room, hidden behind a bookshelf. I bring my knees to my chest and rest my chin on my legs, trying to breathe. Trying to think.

But thinking only makes me remember how Maxim cut into that man’s arm. I’ve seen Maxim do horrible things. He killed Mikhail right before my very eyes. But there was something about seeing him torture someone – the glee in his eyes – that is terrifying to me. When he killed Mikhail, it felt like he was saving me from a horrible marriage. Saving me from my father.

But with this torture… it felt like Maxim was enjoying it. He kept it hidden from me since he knew I shouldn’t be seeing that side of him anymore. It all feels like shame.

“Elena?” Alexei’s voice floats over me.

Glancing up, I see that he’s hovering near the end of the aisle. “Alexei?”

“Are you… are you all right?” He slowly approaches me. “You don’t look so good.”

The urge to tell Alexei I’m fine is on the tip of my tongue. But I am the furthest thing from fine.

Tears hit me before I can stop them. The full body wracking sobs consume me.

Alexei’s eyes widen before he sits down beside me and gently pulls me into his side, holding me. “You’re not all right. Is this because of your husband?”

“Yes,” I whisper through my tears.

“Is he hurting you? I can still help you.”

“How can you help me?”

“You can stay with me at my place. I can help you leave him.”

“He threatened your life, Alexei. You should stay away from me.” I try to pull away but Alexei only tightens his arm around me.

“I know what he did. It’s why I’m worried for you. Being married to a man like that… Let me help you. We can go to the police. Find help. You should return home to your parents.”

My father is the last person I want to see.

“I need to return home,” I say as dread fills my stomach. I know it’s what I have to do. Maxim will be expecting me to come home. But why do I have to do what Maxim wants? I had to listen to my father my entire life. Am I not allowed some freedom in the choices I make?

“Come stay with me. Just for the night. It’s late. You’re upset. Please. Let me help you.”

The last thing I want is to put Alexei in danger but how would Maxim know I was with him? He wouldn’t.

I just need to feel safe and right now, Alexei feels safe.

“Just for the night,” I agree.

Alexei helps me to my feet and we walk together through the library. Polina catches my eye as I leave. The look of anger and hurt in her expression is obvious. But I don’t have time to worry about Polina right now.

We arrive at Alexei’s dorm room. It’s small and cozy. His roommate isn’t here for the night, thankfully.

“He’s with his girlfriend,” Alexei explains. “So it’s just you and me.”

Tentatively, I sit down on his bed. All the energy inside of me is gone. I’m just drained. I have nothing left to give.

Alexei hovers by the door. “Do you need anything? Anything at all?”