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“Isn’t he the CEO of CyberFort?” someone adds conspiratorially.
“I thought he looked familiar.”
“Damn, the Antonov’s are well-connected, aren’t they?”
“This could come in handy for us,” another person mutters.
I drown the chatter out. I just want to lie down, to curl up in a ball. The only thing keeping me from keeling over is the firm press of Mikhail’s hand on the small of my back. His eyes linger on my belly, a look of awe behind his dark eyes.
Awe and terror.
“Is it…” he murmurs. “Mine?”
I nod. God help me. “Yes, it is.”
Chapter 33
Mikhail
Idon’t let Aurora out of my sight. Now that I know about the child, my protective instinct is out of control. Leave it to Konstantin to keep me in the dark about the pregnancy. It’s how he maintains control, keeping everyone around him off-kilter until the last possible moment, ensuring their dependence on him. Now Aurora and my baby are exposed and there’s no going back, no hiding them away. Not after such a public confirmation to our alliesandour enemies.
“My boy,” Catherina says, walking over to grasp my face. “Welcome back.”
An uneasy feeling boils in the pit of my stomach. For someone who’s being held captive, she sure seems to be enjoying herself. I don’t even have to look at her to know something’s off. It’s in the way Aurora holds my hand, her fingers laced tightly between mine. She won’t even look Catherina in the eye. My biggest tipoff is the fact that Aurora’s roommate is here.
Why would Konstantin go through the trouble of bringing Charlotte along? It would have been easier to release her, or even kill her. I can’t imagine there being a strategic reason for keeping Charlotte alive. She’s a loose end, one that any sensible Bratva member wouldn’t trouble themselves with. Someone must have interfered. Someone with sway.
And the only person I can think of is my mother.
I won’t pretend to understand her motivations, but her objective is perfectly clear. She wants back in. After all these years spent banished, Catherina looks as though she’s thriving. This life suits her like an old glove.
“With me,” I snap.
“And where do you think you’re going?” Konstantin asks with a chuckle.
“Aurora isn’t feeling well. You’ve had her on her feet all evening. I’m taking her to the bathroom.”
“And you need your mother to go with?”
“She knows more about motherhood than I do.”
Konstantin shrugs. “Very well. I know for a fact none of you are flight risk. Just think of the dire consequences if you were. Do what you must and enjoy the rest of the party. The second phase of your initiation starts tomorrow.”
It takes every ounce of my willpower to not roll my eyes. Does he have to lord his control and influence over us every minute of every day? I hold Aurora’s hand while gripping Catherina by the upper arm with my other. We shuffle toward the venue’s bathrooms. I lock us in a private powder room.
It’s surprisingly spacious, big enough for the three of us without having to worry about any eavesdroppers. There’s a padded stool near one of the vanity mirrors. I promptly help Aurora take a seat, still holding onto her hand. After all the time I spent away, I’m not eager to let go of her any time soon.
“You told Konstantin where to find you,” I accuse, glaring at Catherina. I’ve finally put two and two together.
My mother doesn’t even have the decency to try and act offended. “The point is we’re all on the same page now,” she says. “We all want one thing, and that’s Konstantin buried six feet underground.”
“You didn’t have to dragherinto this.”
“I think you’ll find I did.”
“And what about the child?” I snap. “Did you ever stop for a moment to realize the danger you were about to put your grandchild in?”
“I’ll admit her pregnancy surprised me, but it was an opportunity all the same.”
