Free Redemption (The Volkov Mafia Series Book 4) by Samantha Harrington

of the day that fucker will never be able to get to me again. From now on, the only person I want protecting me is Alek.
    “Why didn’t you call to tell us you were ok? Your mother and I have been going out of our minds with worry, thinking that you had been killed, that we would never see you again.” My father’s rage is climbing slowly, I can see it in the redness of his face, but before I have time to reply, Alek cuts me off.
    “She didn’t want to call because she was recovering from a serious trauma. She needed to focus on getting herself well again. Whilst trying to deal with what had happened to her, she didn’t need your demands added to that process as well. She had all the support she could ever need, but only from people who genuinely cared about her.”
    Well fuck me, he’s just about summed it up completely. The only other reason I can think to add to that is guilt. How am I supposed to tell them that I enjoyed some of it, even though it makes me feel dirty and cheap? That the guilt eats me up daily. Every time Alek looks at me, I’m thinking that all he sees is a whore who can get him off, then he discards her like trash. Out with the old and in with the new. I don’t voice my concerns.
    “He’s right. I did feel like that for a long time. But I’m stronger now. I’m still receiving support, so I know how to deal with it. The panic attacks aren’t half as bad as before. Alek and his family have really done a lot for me. I owe them everything, Mum, because without them I wouldn’t be here. I would probably be in a ditch somewhere just waiting to be found.”
    They need to understand that it was me stopping myself coming home. I thought that once I was back to myself, I would never have to think about what happened ever again, then I wouldn’t have to tell my parents.
    “So does this mean you’re staying home?” my father asks.
    “No, Daddy. I have a new life now, a home, a job, family and friends, but I can’t let you carry on living with the uncertainty any longer.” I’m honest with them, that’s all I can be. I just hope its enough for them to understand and accept.
    I see the hope fade from his eyes. Seeing my father look weak and ashamed is not something I’m used to.
    “So you think it’s ok not to call us for months, just to even let us know you were ok? Was the thought of calling us, after everything you had been through, embarrassing to you? I can’t look at you right now. It makes me sick to think that my little girl has been so violated at the hands of God knows how many men.” My dad’s tone is shocking. I have never seen him look so deflated and broken. Why is he saying all of this to me, trying to make out that it’s my fault? I didn’t fucking ask to be taken, did I? No, I was just on the holiday that they wanted. If they had chosen anywhere else in the world, then we wouldn’t be having this conversation.
    “Look, I wasn’t thinking about you and mum. Yes, that may have been selfish and for that I’m sorry, but you don’t get to blame me for this,” I tell him. I see the tears stream down my father’s face at my words.
    “No, I can only blame myself. I need you to leave now, Emma.” He turns away from me, trying to compose himself.
    “Give us a call at the end of the week. We need some time to process everything you’ve told us.” My mother’s soft voice rings in my ears as her words register.
    I stare at them. Is this really it? All they want is for me to leave? I nod in defeat. Maybe I should have stayed hidden in the shadows. Maybe I should have left them in limbo. Because right at this moment, that’s how I feel.
    “Take me home?” I say to Alek. He stands up and pulls me by the hand, leading me outside to his parked car. He helps me into the seat. I’m numb. What the fuck just happened?
    He sets off towards London, weaving in and out of the busy traffic. The bright red buses signify we are in the capital. The palace, as we pass it, is