Page 9 of Bound By Hate (Born in Blood)

The moment Gleb goes to bed, Mila and I start packing. “I can’t believe he’s sleeping in our house,” I whisper to her as I shove my clothes into my suitcase. Normally, I’d take better care of them, but right now, we just need to leave.

“It’s weird,” Mila admits.

“Creepy, more like it. Now, hurry.”

We finish packing and head downstairs. Mikhail sent his private jet to take us to Moscow. All we need to do is get to the private airstrip.

My hand is on the doorknob when I hear Gleb behind us. “Where are you two going?”

I freeze. Normally, I always know what to say, but right now, I have nothing.

“Moscow,” Mila admits.

“Mila!” I hiss.

“Sorry.”

Gleb walks down the stairs and approaches us. “Why?”

“To visit our sister,” I say. “We haven’t seen Sofiya in a month. It’s time.”

“Why didn’t you tell me you were leaving? I will go with you.”

“No. You don’t have to. Mila and I have this covered. Just go back to bed.”

“It’s my duty to care for you girls, remember?”

Women. “Our brother-in-law sent us a jet, so we’re leaving now. See you later, Gleb.”

“I’m coming with.” He steps in front of me, blocking my way.

“No, you’re not.”

“Yes, I am. Viktoriya, you don’t seem to understand that it’s my job to see you’re taken care of. So, I’m coming with.”

“Will you step out of the way if I agree?”

“Yes.”

I exchange a glance with Mila. Neither of us wants Gleb coming with us, but there’s no choice. I’d rather have Mikhail’s protection than Gleb’s. If it means Gleb is coming, then hopefully, I can just ignore him in Moscow. “Fine.”

Gleb nods and steps out of the way. “I think you’ll see you made the right decision.”

I resist the urge to sneer at him and open the door.

Moscow is just as I remember it—dreary. Fall is starting to creep in, and soon, the cold will come with it.

Sofiya and Mikhail greet us at the airstrip as we leave the jet.

“I missed you,” Sofiya says, drawing Mila into a hug first. Then she steps back and smiles at me. “Both of you.”

“I’m sure.” Awkwardly, we hug each other.

“Who is that?” Mikhail asks, nodding at Gleb as he gets off the plane.

“That’s Gleb,” I say with fake cheer. “Our new daddy.”

Sofiya snorts. “What?”

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