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“The last time you were here?” I scoff. “You mean when you were dragged, kicking and screaming, all the way to the front gate.”
“Is Andrushka here?” She leans back, pushing out her chest. “Or does he spend the evenings with his whores?”
“Why areyouhere?” I ask. “You didn’t drive here in the middle of the night to make weak insults.”
“I came to return your husband’s car,” she replies casually. “You left it behind.”
I smile. “Keep it, Talia. It’s your prize for coming in second place.”
She smiles harder. “You might want to bury him in it, Paige. If tonight goes as planned, you’ll be a widow by morning.”
“Fooling me once was easy. But if you think you can do it again, then that makes you the bigger fool.” I rise from the desk and stand in front of her. “I’m bored with your empty threats. You can walk out on your own, or I’ll hold the door open while my guards toss you out.”
Talia nods approvingly, a grin on her lips. “Good, you sound convincing. I taught you well.”
“You taught me nothing.”
“You’re no longer silly and frightened,” she says, then faces Natasha. “You should have seen this one. Throwing up and crying whenever she saw a drop of blood. Not much of a pakhan’s wife, I’m afraid.”
I tower over her. “According to you, I won’t be one by morning—Why would you want Andrei dead when you want him back so desperately?”
Talia flinches, but covers her reaction quickly by taking a cigarette from her purse. She holds it in her lips, waiting for a light. She watches Natasha, who looks to me. I hold out my hand. Natasha places her lighter in it, and I light Talia’s cigarette myself.
A thin line of smoke leaves her lips aimed at me. “I heard a rumor that you’re pregnant. Is it one of the guards’?”
“It’s my husband’s,” I reply, stepping away. “He fucks me many times every day. He can be determined when he wants something.”
Talia frowns, throwing her lit cigarette on the carpet. “Do you think he wants that bastard in your belly? Your wedding was a fake, and it still is. You’re here for a reason and when he’s done, you’ll be out. Nothing in your life is real except the fact that he’s using you. No one wants that hideous baby you’re carrying. Save your figure and get rid of it now. I know someone.”
I step on the cigarette, crushing it under my foot. Talia has won this round as her words finally strike me. I nod to Natasha, who grabs Talia by the shoulders and pins her in place. I light the lighter, bringing it close to Talia’s long hair until a strand flickers on fire.
“Threaten my baby again, and I will burn you bald.”
Talia kicks out her leg, grazing my knee. I drop the lighter in her lap, where Natasha swipes it onto the floor and kicks it away.
“You learn fast,” Talia smirks. “But you’re still way behind.”
“Remove her.” I do my best to keep myself from shouting, but my voice rises in spite of the attempt.
Talia moves quickly, twisting out of Natasha’s grip. “I enjoy our talks, Paige. Let’s not be strangers.”
Outside of the office, Bratva guards are lining the hallway on both sides, and we walk between them. I walk behind Talia and herd her to the front door, wondering how much they heard. It doesn’t matter. I’m the one who belongs, but for how much longer? My resolve wavers again and I silently curse myself. I know it’s right to leave, but not now. I stand on the front step as the Lamborghini pulls out of the driveway. The gates open automatically; they must respond to his car. Talia can enter anytime she likes.
Natasha glances at her phone. “We must go upstairs, Paige Geraldovna.”
“What’s happened? Where is Andrei?”
She doesn’t answer my questions. “We must keep you safe.”
Guards start running through the mansion. Windows are checked and bolted, doors are locked, inside lights are dimmed, and spotlights in the trees illuminate the entire yard as if the sun is rising.
Natasha tugs me toward a closet in the back of the mansion. I never gave it much thought before. My knees buckle as the panel moves, revealing the hidden staircase.
“Where’s Andrei?” I try to run for the front door, but Vanya catches me easily in his arms and carries me up the stairs.
“No!” I pound my fists on his chest as tears well up in my eyes. “Tell me where my husband is!”
***
