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Jorden slides to the edge of her chair, her knees touching mine. “Then don’t let them catch up to you.”
I throw my arms up. “If they’re willing to come after me when I’m engaged to Ivan, then nothing will stop them.”
“Ivan will!” she says. “Does he know who Mikhail is?”
Guilt rises up in me. I should have told him about Mikhail days ago. I definitely should have told him that night at the club.
Jorden sighs. “I can tell by that look on your face that Ivan doesn’t have a clue. If he did, Mikhail would probably be dead right now.”
I snap my gaze to her. How much does she know about who Ivan really is?
Then I realize she didn’t mean it literally.
“He would have wiped the floor with that scrawny man,” she continues.
“I thought you said he was handsome.”
She wrinkles her nose. “That was before I knew the truth. Now, he’s a disgusting creep who deserves whatever is coming for him. If I had my way, I’d say Ivan is what is coming for him. But that’s your choice.”
“So you aren’t going to tell anyone?” I twine my fingers together nervously in my lap.
She sighs. “No. No, I won’t. Butyoushould. If Mikhail knows where you are, then Ivan should know about him and your history. Even if it’s just so he can better protect you.”
“I know.” I stare down at the ground, nodding my head. “I know you’re right. I would just rather forget that part of my life ever existed. This time with Ivan has been a fairytale. I don’t want it to end.”
“Aww, honey.” Jorden pats my arm. “It won’t end. You and Ivan are going to get married and live happily ever after and have so many beautiful babies. Mikhail will fade in the rearview. Trust me.”
I give her a tight smile and do my best to make it look convincing. It’s hard, though.
Because she has no idea how wrong she is.
70
CORA
Jorden and I are still out on the patio when I hear voices coming from inside.
There’s so much security monitoring the property at all times that I’m not really concerned, but I still turn to Jorden with a frown. “Weird. Ivan isn’t supposed to be back yet.”
I could be wrong. It’s not like he tells me where he’s going. I don’t even mind; I’d really rather not know. As it is, I can pretend he’s safe and cozy in an office somewhere with his feet kicked up, as opposed to facing off with his enemies in dark alleys, wielding menacing weapons and dripping in blood.
“Hm.” Jorden purses her lips, doing her best to look confused… and failing.
“Are you expecting someone?”
“Me?” She lets out a loud, barking laugh. “Why would I be expecting someone atyourhouse? That doesn’t even make sense.”
I arch a brow. I can almost literally see the cracks forming in her performance. “What’s going on, Jor?”
She shrugs. “Your guess is as good as mine. I bet it’s nothing. Maybe it’s your manservant—”
“Niles,” I correct. “And he’d throw you over the security wall if he heard you call him that.”
Something that sounds like a busted shopping cart wheel squeals from the kitchen. For a moment, I imagine how I would explain to Ivan that I was sitting on the patio, completely unconcerned, as burglars broke in and wheeled all of his belongings out to their waiting van.
I start to sit up. “I’m just going to make sure everything is okay in there. I can get you a sparkling water or some juice if you—”
“I’ll do it!” Jorden jumps out of her chair before I can even finish. “What do you want?”
