Shattered Innocence

Unveiling Shadows

I watch Zack walk away, my heart racing from the look he gave me. It told me he would protect me no matter what. I glance around and realize they all would, even from her. Mikhail was so adamant about hating her for what she did to me, he refused to listen to reason, and even gentle Ivan doesn't seem happy with her.

"Would... Would they really kill me?" Lily asks, fear evident in her voice.

"Yes." I won't sugarcoat it. "So don't give them a reason to." I approach Nikolay and meet his angry gaze. Eventually, he looks at me.

"He's right. If you harm her, you will ruin me in a way my father never could." He flinches, and I plant a kiss on his cheek. Yuri watches as I stride toward him, his eyes clouded with madness and desire. I settle on his lap, disregarding any onlookers, and firmly grasp his chin to make him meet my gaze. I need to break through that haze and make him understand. After all, he's the unpredictable one.

"If you lay a finger on her, I'll cut off your manhood."

"I knew you were into that." He grins, gripping my hips and pulling me closer, the hardness of his body pressing against mine. I try to suppress my gasp as I narrow my eyes.

"While the idea of preserving it for your own pleasure is intriguing, I prefer it where it currently resides."

"Yuri."

"Nora." He grins, and I fight back my own smile as I exert more pressure on his chin, eliciting a smoldering intensity in his eyes.

"Please," I plead, causing him to jerk and his expression to turn serious.

"Please don't harm her." "I would do anything for you," he replies, and I'm uncertain which is more unsettling: his madness or the fact that his gaze is clear and sincere for the first time since we met. Letting out a sigh, he glances over at Lily. "Fine, you're safe from me. Thank your sister for that." He leans in and gives me a quick kiss.

"Now, if you're not going to ride me, let me go so I can deal with this persistent arousal." For a moment, I contemplate it before sliding off his lap. He stands and stretches, causing Lily to quickly avert her eyes as Yuri winks at me and walks away, leaving me shaking my head.

"He frightens me," she murmurs.

"He should." I look back at her.

"I'll retrieve the research for you." I glance at Ivan, who nods, assuring me he'll keep an eye on her as I rise to my feet. Although I appreciate his support, I hurry away. They watch me, but I force myself to return to my sister and hand her the books she needs to begin. Clutching them tightly, she nods at me, displaying her seriousness, and hurries off as well. I observe her departure before looking at Nikolay and Ivan.

"So, since we're all on break, what shall we do?" Nikolay groans, while Ivan chuckles.

"I have an idea." I wiggle my eyebrows, even though I know that's not what he meant. It's nice to see both of them smile. Frankly, I'm exhausted from that conversation and witnessing my sister's pain. As always, Ivan notices, so when he leads me outside into the sunlight, I turn, curious about his intentions.

"Let's play hide and seek." He grins, bouncing on his feet.

"I could use some exercise, and I never got to play it as a child."

"Me neither." Nikolay frowns. "What do we do?"

"You've never played hide and seek?" I stare at him, mouth agape. I recognize they're doing this for my benefit, and it warms my heart as I grin.

"Oh, this will be fun." "What are the rules?" Nikolay asks, his tone serious. "I'll count to thirty, and you hide while I do. We'll limit it to the trees and this property. No straying too far or going out front. If I find you, you're it." "I'm definitely going to win." Ivan grins.

"Cover your eyes, sweetheart." Laughing, I do as instructed and spin around, beginning to count. I hear them darting away, and I can't help but laugh, just as they knew I would. When I finish counting, I lower my hand and, for some reason, glance upward, catching a glimpse of Lily at her room's window, observing us.

She appears so lonely and lost that I hesitate, but with a determined grit, I turn back to my companions, knowing they organized this for my sake. They're right. I need some laughter and enjoyment. She's chosen her path, and now she must face the consequences. I can't shield her from everything, and it's time I start living for myself. I sprint into the forest, leaving her behind to find her own way, and with each step, I take away from her and that house, a burden I didn't realize I carried lifts from my shoulders.