Page 27 of Born To Be Bad

“Because he manipulated you,” says Alistair.

I see a flare of fury in his eyes even though Jeff is dead and he’s the one who made sure of it. “Yes,” I agree. “And also because of trauma bonding. I can tell you that it’s real. But I did eventually get out and so will Ariana. And we’re going to do everything we can to help her.”

He takes a deep breath and pulls me close. “Okay,” he murmurs into my hair, and I feel his muscles loosen. “Okay.”

“Okay,” I echo, feeling his body relax a little more. “Ready to go back in?”

When we reach Ariana’s door it’s closed, and there’s a nurse standing guard. My heart skips a beat, and Alistair lets go of my hand.

“Everything okay?” I ask.

“Yes, it is, dear. They’ll just need a minute.”

“Who’s in there?” demands Alistair, scanning her hospital ID card pinned to her uniform. Ever vigilant—not that anyone would blame him, with what he’s been through.

The nurse is taken aback by his tone and stammers an answer. “It’s Dr. Chatterjee.”

When Alistair steps toward the closed door, the nurse blocks his way. I’m pretty impressed by her bravery. He’s a tall, muscular, drop-dead gorgeous man, and she’s not having any of it. She’s four-foot-nothing and still manages to cut an authoritative figure.

“Just a few more minutes, sir,” she says, forced to lift her chin to look into his eyes.

I can imagine the paranoid thoughts rushing through Alistair’s head: that Sebastian is there to kidnap her again, that the Russians have sent an assassin, that Ariana has paid off the nurse to keep us out while she makes a run for it. He takes a breath and decides to step back, and we are forced to wait an agonizing four minutes before the handle turns and a doctor exits. Her face lights up when she sees us.

“Oh!” she exclaims in surprise. “I didn’t realize there were visitors. Hello and welcome,” she smiles. She makes a quick note on her tablet. “Miss De Luca is doing very well.”

To his credit, Alistair doesn’t completely lose his shit. Miss De Luca. Showing remarkable restraint, he nods at the doctor and clears his throat. “That is good to hear.”

“You can go in,” she gestures inside, still beaming. “I’m sure she’d love to see you.”

I clock her ID badge.

Dr. Suhana Chatterjee, OBGYN.

In my head, a red flag springs up so vividly it may as well have made a “boing!” sound.

Now why, I think slowly and carefully, would Ariana need an obstetrician?

Oh my god, oh my god. Things are about to get REAL.

The guarded door makes sense now, because you need privacy when you’re having a transvaginal ultrasound. And pretty much the only reason you’d need a transvaginal ultrasound outside of a gynae’s office is?—

“Mom and baby doing very well,” beams Chatterjee. “They’re both fighters!”

CHAPTER 17

Five-Star Cult Retreat

ALISTAIR

Despite the bombshell that’s just mind-fucked me, I feel strangely calm. Ivy is looking at me like I’m an undetonated explosive device. Perhaps I am.

I thank the doctor and stride into Ariana’s room, where she regards me with sparkling, defiant eyes.

Fuck this.

Fuck avoiding confrontation.

Fuck Ari.

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