The tension in the air was thick, pressing against Elena’s chest as if the walls were closing in. After Alexei had left to deal with Nikolai, the mansion had fallen into a heavy, eerie silence. Every sound seemed amplified—the ticking of the clock, the soft shuffle of the guards outside the door, her own shallow breathing.
Elena paced in the bedroom, her mind racing with worry. She could feel something shifting, a storm brewing on the horizon. Alexei had faced danger before, but this felt different. Nikolai wasn’t just an enemy—he was family, a man who knew Alexei’s weaknesses better than anyone. She feared what that knowledge might mean in a confrontation between the two.
Unable to sit still any longer, she grabbed her phone and dialed her mother. The familiar dial tone offered a small comfort, but it wasn’t enough to quiet her nerves.
“Hello?” Her mother’s voice on the other end of the line was warm and familiar, a stark contrast to the world Elena now found herself in.
“Mom, it’s me,” Elena said, trying to keep her voice steady. “How are you?”
“I’m fine, sweetie. Just finished cleaning the house. How are you? It’s been a while since you called.”
Elena bit her lip, guilt gnawing at her. She had been so consumed by her life with Alexei that she had barely made time for her family. And now, standing in the middle of his mansion, surrounded by luxury and danger, she felt the distance between her old life and her new one more keenly than ever.
“I’m okay, Mom,” she said, her voice softer now. “Just… busy.”
There was a pause on the other end of the line, and Elena knew her mother could sense that something was off. “Elena, is everything all right? You sound… worried.”
Elena hesitated. How could she explain the chaos swirling around her without revealing too much? She had kept the truth about Alexei hidden from her family for so long, but now it felt like a lie, and it weighed heavy on her heart.
“Mom, I—” She stopped herself, unsure of how to continue. Her gaze drifted to the door, half-expecting Alexei to walk in and catch her mid-confession.
“Elena?” Her mother’s voice was laced with concern now. “You know you can tell me anything, right?”
“I know,” Elena whispered, tears pricking the corners of her eyes. “I just… I’m in a difficult situation right now. It’s complicated.”
“I’m your mother,” her mom replied gently. “Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out together.”
Elena’s chest tightened at the words, the familiar comfort of her mother’s unwavering support stirring up her emotions. But before she could respond, a loud knock echoed through the mansion, startling her.
“Elena,” a voice called from the hallway. It was Ivan. “You need to come downstairs. Now.”
Her heart skipped a beat as fear gripped her. “Mom, I have to go,” Elena said quickly, her voice strained. “I’ll call you back later.”
“Elena, wait—” her mother started, but Elena ended the call before she could say more. She didn’t have time to explain.
She rushed to the door, her pulse pounding in her ears as she followed Ivan’s voice. He was waiting for her at the top of the grand staircase, his expression grim.
“What’s happening?” Elena asked, her breath coming in short, anxious bursts.
“It’s Alexei,” Ivan said, his face unreadable. “There’s been an attack.”
Elena felt the ground shift beneath her feet. “What? Where is he? Is he hurt?”
Ivan hesitated, his jaw tightening. “He’s been injured, but he’s alive. We’ve secured him in a safe location. Nikolai’s men tried to ambush him, but Alexei managed to get away.”
Elena’s heart was racing now, her mind spinning with fear and disbelief. “I need to see him,” she demanded, her voice shaking with urgency. “Take me to him.”
Ivan’s expression softened slightly, but he shook his head. “It’s too dangerous. We’ve moved him to a secure location outside the city. You need to stay here, Elena, for your own safety.”
“No,” Elena snapped, her fear turning to anger. “I’m not staying here while Alexei is out there, hurt and alone. Take me to him, Ivan. Now.”
Ivan hesitated again, clearly torn between his loyalty to Alexei and his responsibility to keep Elena safe. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he nodded.
“Fine,” he said, his voice gruff. “But we need to move quickly. Nikolai’s men are still out there, and it’s not safe for you to be seen with us.”
Elena didn’t need to be told twice. She followed Ivan down the staircase and out to the waiting car, her mind racing with thoughts of Alexei. The man she had come to love—strong, powerful, seemingly invincible—was now vulnerable, hurt, and in danger. And the thought of losing him terrified her.
The car ride was tense, the city streets passing by in a blur of lights and shadows. Ivan drove fast, his eyes constantly scanning the surroundings for any sign of trouble. Elena sat in the back, her fingers gripping the seat as her heart pounded in her chest.
When they finally arrived at the safe house, Ivan led her inside without a word. The building was old, tucked away in a quiet part of the city, far from the prying eyes of Nikolai’s men. The air was thick with tension, and the only sound was the distant hum of traffic outside.
Elena followed Ivan down a narrow hallway and into a small room at the back of the house. There, lying on a makeshift bed, was Alexei. His shirt was stained with blood, his face pale, but his eyes were open, and when he saw her, they softened with relief.
“Elena,” he rasped, his voice weak.
Without thinking, Elena rushed to his side, kneeling beside him as tears filled her eyes. “Alexei,” she whispered, her hand trembling as she reached for his. “What happened?”
He winced as he tried to sit up, but she gently pushed him back down. “Nikolai’s men,” he muttered, his voice strained. “They were waiting for me. It was a setup.”
Elena’s heart ached at the sight of him, so vulnerable, so unlike the Alexei she knew. “Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked, her voice breaking. “Why didn’t you let me help?”
Alexei’s eyes met hers, and for a moment, she saw a flicker of regret. “Because I didn’t want you to get hurt,” he said quietly. “I can’t let you be a part of this, Elena. It’s too dangerous.”
“But I already am,” she replied, her voice fierce. “I’m a part of your life, Alexei, whether you like it or not. And I’m not going to stand by and watch you get hurt.”
Alexei closed his eyes, his brow furrowing in pain. “I don’t know if I can keep you safe,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
“You don’t have to do it alone,” Elena said, her hand tightening around his. “We can face this together.”
For a long moment, Alexei didn’t respond. He simply lay there, his hand in hers, the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him. But then, slowly, he opened his eyes and nodded.
“We’ll figure it out,” he said softly, his voice filled with both determination and vulnerability. “Together.”
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YOU ARE READING
Between shadows and diamonds
Любовные романы"Between Shadows and Diamonds" tells the story of Elena Carter, a waitress who is drawn into the dangerous world of Alexei Romanov, a wealthy and enigmatic mafia heir. Hired to be his social companion, Elena's initial reluctance transforms into a pa...
