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The dark look is replaced by surprise. It’s hard to outwit Andrei Barinov, but I seem to have accomplished it. Again. A glint of admiration sparks in his eyes as he stands, but I keep my hand on the doorknob.
“No, you don’t get to play this game again.” I back away. “And I don’t want another piece of fucking jewelry.”
Andrei opens the desk drawer and pulls out my emerald bracelet. The green gems flash in the low lights, and my body tenses as I watch it. He takes off his Rolex and slams it down on the gems, crushing them into shards of green glass. I swallow hard when he smiles at me like a fox eyeing a rabbit in a trap.
“Clever girl,” he says. “A faithful Bratva wife.”
I open the door, but he rushes toward me, slamming it shut and grabbing my wrists in his hands. He kisses me hard, and I slump against him, slowly crumpling into his arms.
“No!” I shout, tears on my lashes. “You can’t do this. You don’t get to fuck your way out of trouble this time.”
“I know why you’re crying,” he whispers, his breath on my cheek.
“Why?” I ask.
“Because youwantto hate me.” And just like that, he releases me. “Because you’re still keeping secrets from me. No more. You will show them to me, and you will do it now.”
He’s trapped me,I think incredulously as the fight saps out of me.He’s won.
I cry harder, choking on my pathetic sobs as I leave the office and slowly go upstairs, feeling the weight of each step as I climb. I return, and seated behind his desk, Andrei watches me with curiosity as I approach. Holding out my hand, I give him my last secret. Andrei reaches out and takes it out of my hand. He examines the three ancient flash drives still attached to a piece of ragged, sticky duct tape.
“Emma found it attached to Dad’s laptop,” My voice is tired. “This is what you wanted all along.”
Andrei stops long enough to take both my hands in his and kiss them.
And then he walks out the door without sparing me a second glance.
Chapter 35
Paige
I feel trapped in that mansion, and the only place where I can find solace is in the woods. I know better than to sneak out of the house alone, but I do it anyway. I hurry past the garage where the cars are kept and run as fast as I can toward the winding lane that leads into the woods.
It’s too awkward to climb the fence—my belly is in the way—so I’m relieved to find a latch that can open. I don’t question why it is open and slip away, heading up the path. Once again, life has changed so fast. I feel like I’ve lived years in only a few months of knowing Andrei. What’s the old saying—be careful of what you wish for.
The leaves are gone from the trees as late October quickly passes. With each step, I think about Emma and the last conversation we had. She sends me texts to let me know she’s okay, and we still speak on the phone, but it’s not the same as being with her. At least she’s safe with Viktor for now.
But for how long?
Andrei tells me that Talia will honor the truce, and I feel a bit of jealousy when he tries to reassure me. How does he know what Talia will and won’t do? I continue up the path, listening to nothing but nature and letting the sounds clear my head of my troubling thoughts.
I wish Emma was here, and I regret that we’ll miss her birthday in December. Maybe I’ll go to the house. But if I go there, I’ll only lure trouble to her door and give her secret away. Right now, no one is interested in her or Viktor.
The other Bratvas are pissed, but they are still begrudgingly on Andrei’s side.
But that will all change if I show up at Emma’s door.
A branch snaps behind me, and I freeze in place, listening again. God, I was stupid to come out here alone. What if it’s another assassin? What if I’m shot, and no one finds me in time? I don’t even have my phone. I look down at my feet and realize that the path that was visible in the summer is invisible under fallen leaves. I inhale sharply when I hear another crack and then sigh, deflating with relief when I smell a distinctive vape smoke.
“Natasha?” I speak softly, though I’m sure it’s her.
A twig snaps again, and I turn around to see Natasha coming out of the brush. I’ve never seen her in a Nike hoodie before, and her baggy jeans have mud on the knees. I swallow hard as I watch her take off her dirty work gloves and shove them into the pockets of her hoodie.
“You shouldn’t be out here alone,” she says, carefully emptying her vape.
“I know. What are you doing out here?” I don’t need to look in a mirror to know my eyes are as wide as circles.
Natasha laughs. “Not what you fantasize,” she says. “You have an active imagination, but sometimes, you should let it rest.” She stands beside me softly, panting from the exertion. “I have to exercise to keep my strength, and the surveillance cameras have to be checked.”
