Vengeance

CHAPTER 14

"Tabitha!"

A sudden jolt shook her as strong arms wrapped tightly around her waist, yanking her backward. The force made her stumble into the chest of someone, their erratic heartbeat pounding against her own. Her eyes stayed clenched shut, her mind frozen in shock, while the overwhelming thrum of his heart seemed to echo her own despair. Whoever had caught her had just confirmed her future downfall.

She felt the person’s strong hands tighten around her. Time seemed to stretch as they stood there in silence, before he gently pushed her back, gripping her shoulders firmly.

It was Mikhail who was looking furiously at her.

"Are you out of your f*****g mind? What in the bloody world were you thinking?" He bellowed, his voice sharp with anger yet tinged with panic.

Her tears fell freely now as she sobbed, “Why did you do it? Why did you save me?”

She tried to pull away from him, but his grip on her shoulders only tightened—not in a harsh, punishing way like Anatoly’s, but firm and grounding, as if he were afraid she would jump again.

"Are you seriously asking me this? Be glad that I came right on time, or else we both would’ve ended up in that water below!"

"What?" Her voice wavered.

"Tabitha, do you really think I would not have jumped in after you to save you? Is that what you think of me?” Mikhail’s voice softened for a brief second before his anger returned. “But the point is, why the f**k were you trying to kill yourself?”

“None of your business!” She snapped, glaring at him, her eyes brimming with tears. She jerked his hands away, her chest heaving as panic and desperation clouded her mind. She had to end this, end herself, to save her parents.

She turned back to the railing, but Mikhail’s hand shot out, gripping hers firmly, not gently this time. Without a word, he dragged her toward his car.

“Let me go!” she cried, struggling against him, but he only tightened his hold, pulling her closer.

In one fluid motion, he wrapped an arm around her waist, lifting her effortlessly and practically dumping her into the passenger seat. She scrambled to get out, her hands fumbling for the door handle, but Mikhail was quicker. He shoved her hard back into the seat, his eyes filled with rage and intent. Before she could protest any further, he reached over and buckled her seatbelt with a click that rang through the strained silence. Without sparing her a glance, he marched to the driver’s side, slipped into his seat, and started the engine.

As she made another attempt to unbuckle herself, he pressed the child lock button.

"Mikhail, let me go." Her voice cracked with desperation.

"So that you can kill yourself? Not under my watch." Mikhail pressed the accelerator, speeding towards his home.

Tabitha sat rigidly in the passenger seat, breathing hard as she fought to control her tears. The tension in the car was suffocating, heaving with silence. It was evident that Mikhail was keeping his temper at bay.

"This is not my place," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, as she stared at the modest apartment building in front of them. They were in one of the most luxurious neighborhoods in the city, where every structure exuded an air of affluence.

Mikhail chose silence as a response, his jaw clenched as he parked the car. Without a word, he stepped out, slamming the door shut with enough force to make her flinch. Walking around to her side, he opened the door and leaned in, swiftly unbuckling her seatbelt.

Tabitha turned her face away, crossing her arms in defiance. "This is not my apartment," she muttered, her voice laced with frustration.

Ignoring her protest, he reached for her arm and firmly pulled her out of the car. Tabitha struggled, but her attempts were feeble against his strength.

"Mikhail," she called out, her voice trembling with desperation. "Please, let me go."

He didn’t stop or slow his pace. Even in the lift, he held her hand tightly, his silence unnerving. She tried to free her hand, but he didn't budge, dragging her through the apartment’s door and into the living room.

"Maria!" he called sharply, and an elderly woman appeared almost instantly, her eyes shifting between them. "Maria!"

"Mikhail?" she asked, voice filled with concern. "Is everything alright?"

"Get her some water," Mikhail ordered, his tone clipped. "I don’t trust her to be alone."

"Of course," Maria responded, hurrying away without saying anything further.

Mikhail didn’t move, his gaze still fixed on Tabitha, who sat uncomfortably, like a child about to be scolded. He stood straight, his eyes intensely fixed on her. The silence between them stretched, both unwilling to break it. Tabitha could feel the weight of his stare, her anxiety growing with each passing second. None of them spoke until Maria returned, handing Tabitha a glass of water.

"Maria, please prepare the room for her," Mikhail’s voice softened, his tone more controlled now.

Maria gave an understanding nod before leaving, leaving the two of them alone in the room. Tabitha, on the other hand, set the glass on the table without taking a sip. Mikhail mentally groaned, frustration bubbling underneath the surface. He grabbed the glass and gently guided it to her lips, making her take a sip.

He hadn't realized just how stubborn she could be, nor the intensity of emotions she stirred in him. After a couple of sips, she shook her head. He nodded and placed the glass back on the table.

Without saying anything, he knelt before her and softly took her hands in his. The disparity between the brothers struck her even harder at that moment. Anatoly, who had appeared so sweet on the outside, was devious from within, while the man kneeling before her was dark and dangerous, yet tender in his touch.

"Now tell me what happened?" His voice was calm and composed, yet with an undercurrent of concern.

Tabitha’s mind raced, recalling Anatoly’s chilling words. Her eyes widened in realization. She didn’t want to live that life with him, and she certainly didn’t want her parents to suffer for her mistakes. The weight of it all became too much, and the tears she had held back spilled freely.

"Tabby," Mikhail’s voice broke through her pain, his heart clenching.

He pulled her into an embrace, wrapping his arms around her as if to shield her from all she feared.

He couldn’t thank the Lord enough for getting him there on time. The fear he felt when his man reported that Tabitha was near the bridge, looking solemn and lost, had driven him to action.

He had no trust left for his mother or his brother. All he cared about now was Tabitha’s safety. He had even gone so far as to instruct one of his men to keep an eye on her and her family, a decision he never thought he’d have to justify. When he saw her by the railing, his heart dropped. He feared the worst. He could see her body tense, preparing to take the final step. Without thinking, he had rushed toward her, propelled by the gut feeling that something was horribly wrong. His breath hitched when he reached her just in time to stop her from ending everything.

"Please, you have to tell me what made you take that step." Mikhail’s voice was soft, but there was an undeniable urgency in his tone.

He had a strong feeling that Anatoly was somehow responsible, especially since he knew she had been to his house.

"I... my parents."

Mikhail’s brow furrowed in confusion. "What about them?”

She remained silent, tears streaming down her face. Mikhail gently cupped her face with both hands, wiping the tears away with his thumbs. But then his eyes shifted, narrowing as they landed on the redness on her throat. His gaze hardened as he examined the darkening fingerprints.

"Who did this to you?" His voice plummeted, a growl of rage oozing through his words.

Tabitha's eyes widened, her breath catching. She hadn't even considered that the physical marks Anatoly might have left behind would be visible.

"Was it Anatoly?" His voice trembled with barely contained rage. He waited for the response, but her silence said everything. "I am going to kill him." He stood up in a rage, but she grabbed his hand, pulling him back. He looked back at her, shocked, her eyes reflecting panic. "If he is the one behind this, and you are to defend him… then don't." His tone was sharp.

"I won't." She whispered, understanding the gravity of the situation.

"Then you bloody tell me now what happened, or I will get it out of Anatoly myself." His words were laced with fury, each one heavier than the last.

Between her tears and mumbled sobs, she finally spoke. She knew she couldn't keep it from him any longer. Mikhail listened in stunned silence, the weight of her words sinking in. His heart burned with fury.

How could his brother be so cruel?

The image of Anatoly using his strength to break her, threatening to control her, twisted something dark inside him. He would put an end to it. If Anatoly laid even a single finger on Tabitha again, Mikhail swore he would make sure his brother paid dearly.

Whether Tabitha liked it or not, Mikhail wasn’t going to let Anatoly bully her. At that moment, he didn’t know how to console her, other than holding her close as she cried her heart out. He knew one thing for certain.

He had to free her from the mess his family had created. He would do whatever it took to shield her from them.

His brother and mother were playing a dangerous game, and he would be damned if he let them use Tabitha, or any other woman, for their own convenience and amusement. No more. He would put an end to it, no matter the cost.

After what felt like ten to fifteen minutes, Mikhail noticed that Tabitha had fallen asleep on him. Her breathing had evened out, the tension in her body finally releasing. He carefully scooped her into his arms, cradling her as if she were the most delicate thing in the world, and gently carried her to his room. Once he was sure she was resting comfortably under the blanket, the weight of the day began to settle on him. He paused, watching her peaceful form for a moment before quietly leaving to speak with Alfonzo.

After a brief conversation with Alfonzo, Mikhail moved a single-seater recliner chair close to her bed, settling into it for a nap. He knew that, given the current dynamic of their relationship, Tabitha wouldn’t be comfortable with him occupying the space beside her. He respected that.

His only wish, the only thing on his mind, was to ease her burdens, to help her find peace, a chance at happiness, and a good life.