Page 54 of Suit

My eyes widen. “No! No. I just had nowhere else to go. I need to lay low for a while to figure out my next move.” My hand rubs my stomach absently, and Alexei doesn’t miss the motion. He misses nothing.

“I see. A guest room has been set up for you. Stay as long as you like, Elena.” He pauses, and then adds, “Do you want me to kill the ex-girlfriend?”

“No.”

“Do you want your husband beaten to teach him some manners?”

Okay, maybe I shouldn’t have come here.

“No! I just want a place where I can be safe.” Maybe I shouldn’t have told him about Jade, as if the Pakhan cares about my relationship dramas.

He nods curtly. “Your father will be hearing from me for not telling me he married you off instead of Katerina. I asked him for you yesterday. I had a job for you to take care of.”

And now it all makes sense as to why my father tried to swap us back. Alexei wanted me and didn’t know I had swapped places with Katerina.

He stands, and I’m guessing that means he’s done with me. “I have business to take care of, but make yourself at home. There’s food in the kitchen, and even if your husband realizes where you are, he can’t get in here. Maxim went to the store and got you some things. He put them on your bed. Just don’t go into the basement, Elena. You won’t like what you see.”

He walks away, folding up the sleeves on his expensive shirt as he departs. I don’t think Alexei has ever hugged me, even when we were kids.

Forcing myself to get up, I make myself a sandwich in the kitchen and then head up to my guest room. I know my phone has a million missed texts and calls, but I ignore everything except the Baddies group chat.

Elena

I’m safe. Don’t worry about me.

Meredith

Elena! Where are you?

Lore

Elena. Call me. Please.

Isla

What happened?

Xanthe

Do you need anything?

Ora

Suit is freaking out. What did he do? Is it because that bitch Jade was here?

Atiana

Who is Jade?

Ora

Suit’s ex old lady.

Lu

And she came to the clubhouse? Elena, tell us what happened!

I hate to leave them on a cliffhanger, but I don’t have the energy to talk about it again after having to tell Alexei. He probably thinks I’m an overly emotional woman who is overreacting, but I don’t feel like I am.