The Devil's CrownPart Two - Monica James Page 0,108
Alek or me, okay?”
They simply stare with vacant eyes.
Alek’s plan to end whoever has done this to them painfully slow is a punishment they deserve. I never believed in taking another person’s life, but some people deserve to be dead.
I don’t know what’s ahead for these three children, but I know Alek would never abandon them. He sees Irina in them, and he’ll move heaven and hell to ensure no other kid suffers like that under his reign.
I’m not making excuses for Alek, as he has very openly shared that when this is done, he won’t be in line to be ordained. He plans on taking out every last person who has betrayed or questioned his authority, so he’s able to build a new empire where his supremacy will never be challenged again.
The way he proposes to do this is quite smart. Everyone always underestimates the underdogs, but a desperate man has nothing to lose.
This will work, and once it does, Alek will be the ruthless boss everyone respects, and me, I’m to be his…queen?
How do I feel about that? Knowing that I sleep beside a murderer?
Looking at the tormented children, I realize I feel just fine about it. In this world, being nice gets you nowhere. You get treated like nothing but a doormat. Alek has a chance to better the lives of the unfortunates, like these children, and punish the true bad men and women in this world.
Now that I’ve seen true evil, I understand Alek’s reasons—better he, who has a conscious, rule, then someone like Santo who doesn’t. Alek is an asshole; he’s ruthless, savage, and forthright, but better the devil you know than the devil with no soul.
Alek may think he’s soulless, but he’s not. Look at what he did to save Irina and the orphanage. And look at what he did to save me.
A thought suddenly hits me, and I sprint up the stairs, needing to tell him this, not knowing when we will get another chance alone. He is at the helm, steering the yacht to the island, which I can see in the distance.
Our future awaits.
Alek turns around when he hears my frantic footsteps. Before he can speak, I throw myself into his arms and hug him tightly. “You gave up everything for me,” I whisper against his chest.
Which he has. He left Russia and everything he’s worked so hard for behind to ensure my safety. He gave it all up for me, and for that, I love him even more so.
He rubs my back, holding me close, and what he says next just cements my love, my undying devotion to this devil who holds my heart. “You are my everything.”
“Oh, Alek,” I cry, so full of emotion that I can barely speak.
“Come now, don’t cry. You’ll mess up your makeup. You look beautiful.” He pulls me out at arm’s length, only to wipe away my tears with his thumbs.
Sniffling, I nod and pull it together. “I look like I need to add a few inches to my hemline.”
He chuckles, kissing the top of my head. “You perfect any garment, but my favorite is when you’re Ella—the carefree, barefoot, makeup-free woman who has stolen my heart.”
I blink once, as this is the first admission that could be interpreted as him declaring his love. I don’t make a fuss, though. I simply stand on tippy toes and kiss his whiskered cheek.
I stand by his side as he steers the yacht toward the island. The closer it gets, the more anxious I become. We’re both walking into the unknown, which is terrifying considering the circumstances we face. From afar, the island looks like paradise, surrounded by crystal blue waters and rocky caverns.
But I know what horrors hide behind the beauty. This place is hell on earth.
Alek senses my panic and wraps his arm around my waist. “I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.”
“I understand if you—”
But he cuts me off. “No ifs, Ella. I will protect you with my last breath. No one is more important to me than you are.”
Arching my neck, I press my lips to his. We kiss chastely, but this kiss means so much to me because it’s filled with promise. I know it’s going to freak him out, but I need to say it in case I don’t get the chance ever again.
“I…I love you,” I whisper against his warm mouth.
He hums low, nudging his nose against mine. “Miracles do happen.”