Page 76 of Exacting Vengeance

Tracee’s mouth fell open. “Huh?”

“There’s more.” She inhaled deeply, determined to be as honest and truthful as possible with the people who were most important in her life. “Kyle and I met ten years ago. In Chicago. When I was married.”

Tracee’s eyes bulged like she’d been goosed. “Married?”

“Married. The rest of what I’m about to say can’t leave this room.” At least for now. Until Yuri was caught, convicted, and put behind bars.

She pressed on and didn’t stop until she’d outlined her personal life up to and including the events of today, leaving out only the details of how difficult her emotional recovery had been. She still wasn’t prepared to discuss that with anyone, not even Tracee.

Her friend’s eyebrows were now permanently stuck an inch higher than they were before. “Oh my God. Your ex was a monster.”

And probably still is.

“That explains all the hot FBI agents lurking around every corner.” Tracee snorted. “Are you really still in danger?”

“Maybe. I don’t know.” Yuri had left his calling card. He knew where she lived. If he’d wanted to hurt her, wouldn’t he have done it by now? “Kyle is…helping me.”

“And what about Kyle?” Tracee leaned forward. “You guys have a complex relationship, to say the least. Where does he fit into your life now? Your personal life.”

“Good question.” From the way things were going, the answer was nowhere. He might be working behind the scenes to keep her out of prison, but that didn’t mean things would go back to the way they were. “I hurt him. More importantly, I disappointed him. I basically lied to him about something I should have told him weeks ago.”

“What didn’t you tell him?”

That I stole five million dollars in ransom money.

As per AUSA Washington, that part of the conversation was still off-limits outside the confines of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. “I can’t tell you. Suffice to say, it’s something critically important to Kyle and the FBI.”

Tracee sat back and strummed her fingers on the armrest. “I don’t know him well, but I saw the way he looked at you. Maybe all he needs is a little time.”

“That’s what Deke said.” She sighed, wishing it were that simple and knowing it wasn’t, not even close. “I think it might be time for me to give up my dream of having a knight rescue me and carry me away on a white steed.” There’d been a time she’d once thought Alex Tarankov would be that knight.

“I wouldn’t give up on your dream just yet,” Tracee said. “Maybe there’s still hope.”

“Maybe,” she replied, yawning but doubting it. The last couple of days, she’d been tiring easily.

“You look tired. That’s what you get from drinking that awful herbal tea instead of coffee.” Tracee stood. “I just made a fresh pot of French roast. I’ll get you some.”

The thought of coffee made her stomach roll violently. She sucked in quick breaths, realizing she’d never make it to the ladies’ room in time. Leaning over, she threw up the tea she’d drunk and the few bits of croissant she’d eaten into the wastebasket beside her desk. Gulping in more air, she dry-heaved until she had nothing left to give. Everything that had been in her stomach was now at the bottom of the waste basket.

“Honey?” Tracee was beside her, holding back her hair. “Are you okay?”

Slowly, she nodded and grabbed a tissue from the desk to wipe her mouth. “I don’t know where that came from.”

Tracee pressed her hand to Victoria’s forehead. “You don’t feel warm. Sit back and let me get you a cold⁠—”

Victoria leaned over the basket again as another round of dry heaves took hold.

Tracee sat on a corner of the desk. “Uh, when did you get your last period?”

“I don’t know.” The last month had been filled with so much stress and anxiety she hadn’t given it much thought. Her menstrual cycle had always been such an inconsequential aspect of her life, since its recurring presence had no implications on her ability to get pregnant. However, her period was, in fact, overdue. “Over a month ago. Why?”

“Uh-huh.” Tracee began counting off with her fingers. “Nausea. Fatigue. Are your breasts tender? Do you go to the bathroom more frequently?”

She managed a quick laugh. “I’m not pregnant. This must be a bug I picked up.”

“Yeah, I think you picked up a bug, all right.” She pursed her lips into a sarcastic smile. “I think this might be your own little bug. Are you aware of the fact the symptoms you’re experiencing are classic signs of pregnancy? I went through it early on when I was pregnant with Ruby.”

“It can’t be.” As much as she wished otherwise. Her stomach clenched again, this time from the overwhelming sadness she thought was behind her. “You’re wrong about this. I can’t have children.”