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I push off the counter and give her a small, tired smile. “I’ll leave you to get on with the cooking.”

I turn and walk out of the kitchen before she can ask any more questions, and head straight upstairs to our bedroom. The moment the door clicks shut behind me, I pull out my phone and call Andrei.

He answers on the second ring. There’s a strange gurgling sound in the background, wet, choked, and unmistakably human.

“Baby,” he says, voice low and warm.

My stomach drops. “What are you doing right now?” I ask, already dreading the answer. “Please don’t tell me you’re torturing someone?”

There’s a pause, followed by another sickening gurgle.

“Something like that,” he replies casually.

“Andrei!” I scream his name, horror shooting through me. “For the love of God!”

He chuckles softly, completely unbothered. “You wanted something?”

I squeeze my eyes shut, pressing a hand to my forehead. “It can wait.”

The phone slips from my fingers onto the bed as I slump down onto the mattress, staring blankly at the ceiling.

I really hope he gets back before Luke arrives. I need to tell him about my past with Luke tonight, before dinner. I need to get it over with.

But then I pause. Wait, I just heard Andrei torturing someone. Is this how my life is going to be now?

Him coming home with someone else’s blood on his hands, casually answering my calls while he does unspeakable things to people? The thought makes my skin crawl.

I press both hands over my face and let out a shaky breath. This is my husband. This is the man I’m falling for. This is the man whose name is now tattooed on my arm.

Things didn’t go as planned at all.

I’m upstairs getting ready for dinner when I hear the front door open and Andrei’s deep voice fills the foyer. My stomach drops the second I hear a second, painfully familiar voice answering him.

Luke.

I quickly rush downstairs. Andrei appears first, looking sharp in his black suit. He walks straight to me, slides one arm around my waist, and kisses me, slow.

“My nephew is here,” he murmurs against my lips.

“Oh,” I manage, my voice barely above a whisper.

Andrei pulls back slightly. “He’s talking to some of the men outside. I’ll bring him in.”

Before I can say anything, he bends down and scoops Anya, who’s playing in the living room, into his arms, peppering her cheeks with kisses until she squeals with laughter.

Just then, Luke steps into the living room, holding a bottle of expensive-looking wine. The moment his eyes land on me, he freezes mid-step.

I give him the tiniest shake of my head, praying Andrei won’t notice the sudden tension in the air.

Andrei turns, still holding Anya. “Luke, come meet my wife. Rosie, this is my nephew, Luke.”

Thankfully, Luke recovers quickly. He forces a polite smile and extends his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Rosie. I’ve heard so much about you from my uncle.”

I shake his hand, keeping my expression carefully neutral. “Nice to meet you too.”

Andrei continues, gesturing to Anya. “And this is our daughter, Anya.”

Anya waves shyly. “Hi.”