What’s she up to?
Luka’s words are a blunt reminder: “Act like normal,krasotka. Anya’s not just in the kitchen, she’s watching. If she gets to you, make sure Aleks doesn’t know what we’re planning. Understand? That asshole cannot know that we’re preparing for him.”
Normal?There’s nothing normal about any of this.
Once, I was a puppet on Aleks’s string, living every second with a lump in my throat, never knowing when he’d yank it tight.
Then came the whole “fake” nanny gig. And what do you know? I fall for Yulia like she’s the kid sister I never had.
And Luka, that infuriatingly irresistible man, somehow sneaks past all my defenses. Now I’m carrying his child.
How the hell did I get here?
I find my hand drifting to my belly, where Luka’s were just last night, those dark and dangerous eyes burning into mine. The guy looked like hell, but still managed to be painfully sexy. I wanted him to stay with me, to make everything seem okay, just for a little while.
But he left, lips on mine, and a quick, “We need to keep things as they are right now. Nothing out of the ordinary.”
I bite my lip, feeling a sudden wave of nausea followed by panic. Then Luka’s voice comes back to me, deep and reassuring, “You are part of us now; you are one of the Ivankov.”
The Ivankov. I take a deep breath and straighten my back, pushing the fear down.
Yes, Luka kept his promise.
He saved Nilo and Wren.
It’s been a long time since anyone made me feel protected. Not since Mom and Dad died, not since Nana fell ill and Nilo went off the deep end.
No one’s looked out for me like this until now.
The room’s busy, filled with people scurrying about, but it’s all just noise to me. My mind is fixated on Luka, on his words, on the feelings he stirs up inside me. It’s unfamiliar and scary, yet it’s something I realize I’ve been needing all along.
I’ve been alone for so long.
Is it wrong to want this?
To want to feel secure and protected when everything’s on the brink of collapse? That’s what Luka’s offering me, and it’s tantalizing. It’s a lifeline in a world where I’ve been adrift for so long. His promises, his touch, they make me feel like everything might just be okay.
Walking into Yulia’s room, my eyes lock onto Anya, who’s combing Yulia’s hair like she’s got every right in the world to be there. My heart kicks into overdrive, and a nasty taste fills my mouth.
“Hello, Ms. William,” she greets me, and that damn smile on her face has me clenching my fists. She’s playing a game, acting like a doting caregiver. “I found Yulia alone in her room and thought I would keep her company.”
I want to grab her by the hair and demand answers. But I can’t. I’ve got to act “normal.” Whatever the fuck that means.
“Hi, Anya,” I reply, forcing a sweetness into my voice that makes my skin crawl. I inch closer to Yulia, feigning nonchalance. “I was just out in the kitchen to refill some water for her.”
My mind’s racing a mile a minute. How the fuck did she get past everyone? What’s she doing here?
Without warning, she’s up and yanking me toward the bathroom. I flinch, but she doesn’t seem to notice, her eyes darting as she whispers. “Everything is on track today. Bring Yulia to the barn at eight tonight.”
My heart pounds in my ears. “What? Why?” I choke out, panic edging my voice.
Her grin morphs into something wicked, something evil. “Because we have a surprise for the Ivankov. If you want to see your brother and that bitch best friend of yours, you’d better listen to me.”
I fight the urge to lash out. She doesn’t know. She doesn’t know that Nilo and Wren have been rescued.
But why?
I shove my fear down and put on a mask of obedience. “Of course, Anya. I’ll do whatever you need.”
