Arranged To Be|18+✔️

'23

A couple of hours after we arrived home, Lada, Annika, and Anderi arrived as well. As soon as Anderi stepped foot inside the door, I grabbed his arm and pulled him to the side, away from the others.

"I'm so sorry, Anderi. I should have listened to you," I whispered, guilt clawing at my chest.

He didn't say anything right away. His expression was grim, and I could already see the grief lingering in his eyes.

"I would tell you it's okay... but it's not. My aunt is dead because of our recklessness."

His words hit me like a slap, and I swallowed hard.

"Anderi, I—"

"I told you it wasn't a good idea. We barely even did anything, and look what it cost."

"I didn't think—"

"Exactly. We should go. Czar's probably looking for us."

He walked away, leaving me frozen in the corner, ashamed and terrified to face the rest of the family. I took a few steadying breaths before stepping into the living room, where everyone had gathered.

Lada looked up and gave me a faint, tired smile. Despite the grief in her features, she patted the seat beside her. I sat next to her, relieved but unworthy of her kindness.

Czar paced the room in silence, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. The tension was suffocating until he finally spoke.

"Liam knows where we are. He knows how to get to us. I'm not taking any more risks. Everyone will stay here until further notice."

"I can't stay here. I need to be with my husband," Lada said.

"Then bring him here. No one leaves without my permission, and everyone is to have security with them. No exceptions."

"So what do we do about Liam?" Anderi asked, voice tight.

Czar's jaw clenched. "We find him. And we kill him."

Annika sat still, her voice small as tears traced her cheeks. "Why would he go after Mom?"

"To finish what he started," Czar murmured, barely audible.

Lada's gaze turned to me. "That means Zariah needs extra protection. She's the one he really wants."

"We won't be staying here," Czar said abruptly.

Everyone looked at him, stunned.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"You and I leave tomorrow. I've made arrangements."

"Where?"

"You'll find out when we get there."

Lada stood. "You can't just take her away like that!"

"I can. And I will. I won't lose her too."

With that, he walked out, ending the conversation.

I sat in stunned silence. "This is all my fault," I whispered.

Lada pulled me into a hug. "Don't say that. This isn't your fault."

But it was. Everyone could see it. And yet, she was comforting me.

~

After my shower, I wrapped a towel tightly around myself and stepped into the bedroom. Czar sat on the edge of the bed in grey sweats, shirtless, his head in his hands. His body shook with silent sobs.

I walked over, slowly placing my hand on his back, gently rubbing circles.

"I'm so sorry, Czar. I don't know what to say... but I promise I'll be here. I'll try."

He looked up at me, and for the first time, I didn't flinch from his pain. I saw the boy behind the man. The broken soul buried beneath the ruthless exterior.

I placed a hand on his cheek, wiping a tear with my thumb. He pulled me close, wrapping his arms around me. I held him, towel and all, not caring about the chill or the vulnerability.

We sat like that for what felt like hours, locked in a moment neither of us understood but both desperately needed.

Eventually, he pulled back and stood. "I... I'll sleep on the couch tonight."

Before I could speak, he slipped out the door.

And I stood there, suddenly cold, wishing he'd stayed.

~*~

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