"What do you mean I can't leave?" I snap, planting both hands on my waist. I already have my bags packed and ready to go. I'll catch whatever flight I can find and then I'll be out of here.
"Zver doesn't want you to leave," Niko says, his face creased with pain. We've been at this for almost fifteen minutes, the air between us growing thick with tension.
"Zver doesn't tell me what to do. The Pakhan can send me the divorce papers afterward, I don't care. I'll leave this goddamned place!" I know raising my voice accomplishes nothing. It won't bring back Aleksei, the one I meant all this for. It won't change the fact that my marriage ended before it really began.
I didn’t marry Aleksei out of desperation, and I didn’t stay because I was afraid. Still, I can’t lie, back then, I was terrifie
