Even Dana noticed.
Mid-afternoon, she leaned over my desk, her brows knitting in that soft mother-hen way of hers. “You okay?”
Of course I lied. Said I was tired. Headache. Not enough coffee.
What was I supposed to say?
Hey, remember that mobster I tried to put behind bars? I’m marrying him next week. No big deal.
She didn’t push, but I could see it in her eyes: she didn’t believe me.
Maybe that’s why she invited me out after work. Drinks with some of the other ADAs. A little unwinding, a little gossip. Normally, I’d have smiled, made some excuse, and gone home to Netflix and wine.
But today? Why the hell not? My life already feels like it’s over. Might as well toast to my own funeral.
Because what’s my other option? Go home and stare at the walls? Count down the hours until I’m Mrs. Marinova, serving a sentence in a cage I walked into myself?
I glance at the clock. Almost time to go.
My stomach flips. Not because I’m afraid of walking into a bar with a few coworkers. But because I don’t know ifhe’llbe there. If he’ll follow. If I’ll look up from my drink and find him watching from some dark corner like he always does. Like a curse I summoned and can’t outrun.
God, when did my life turn into a twisted reality show?
I’m just out of the Uber, heels clicking against the cracked pavement outside the bar, when my phone buzzes and Emilia’s name lights up the screen.
“Hey.” I tuck the phone between my ear and shoulder as I adjust my purse strap.
“Hey yourself. You there already?”
“Yeah. Just got to the bar. Dana and a few of the others beat me here. I had to finish a brief before heading out.”
“Well, have fun. And sorry I couldn’t make it. Being pregnant at a bar sounds about as appealing as a root canal.”
A faint smile tugs at my lips. “I get it. I just...wanted you here.” I fight the disappointment. “But I don’t blame you.”
There’s a beat of silence.
“Okay,” she says gently. “What’s going on? You sound...off.”
I stop just shy of the door, staring at the wash of neon light across the sidewalk.
“You’re going to find out sooner or later anyway.” My throat tightens as I force the words out. “Aleksei threatened to ruin my parents if I didn’t marry him. The wedding’s supposed to be next week.”
There’s a sharp inhale before she says, “I’m gonna kill him.”
“No.” My answer is quick, almost panicked. “Don’t. I can’t risk him doing something to them.”
She exhales, slow and furious.
“My parents need a win right now,” I say, quieter. “I don’t care what happens to me, but I won’t let him drag them down with me.”
“I’ll help. I’ll talk to Konstantin. We’ll figure something out. He’s not going to get away with this.”
My eyes flutter to a close. I didn’t even need to ask.
“Thank you. Seriously.”
“You never have to thank me. We’ll talk later, okay? Love you.”
