Page 33 of Cashmere Ruin

And maybe I just want my friend back.

“That’s for me to know and for you to wonder about forever,” I answer with a sniffle.

“So it’s torture you’re choosing? Hell, we might make you Bratva yet,” Petra sniffles back.

Jeez, look at us: tears, snot, and hormones. Such sexy ladies.

“Truth is, I really need a mannequin.”

“I can do that. Just be warned, I’ve gained half a size.”

“Oh, half a size. Boo-hoo, poor you.”

We’re separated by May protesting the lack of air.

“Sorry,” I laugh, tickling my baby’s cheek. “Don’t like being squished, do you?”

Only then does Petra finally seem to realize what she’s holding. “God, she’s…”

“Beautiful? Perfect? Just like her mother?”

“A stink-bomb,” she grimaces.

I take a whiff and realize she’s right. Oh, well. “You get used to it.”

Petra’s eyes widen in terror. It’s the most satisfying thing I’ve seen all day. “You most certainly do not.”

“Guess we’ll know soon enough, Mommy-To-Be.”

We’re interrupted by a panicked guard shouting: “Hey, all of you! You can’t be?—”

“April!”

Three voices converge at the entrance. Three voices I would recognize anywhere.

My family.

June is on me in seconds, followed by Corey and Rob. I barely glimpse Petra making a quick getaway—God, she really hates crowds, doesn’t she?

And displays of affection. I swear, she’s more terrified by hugs than firearms.

“What are you three doing here?” I balk.

“We were worried!” June yells.

“You disappeared for a month!” Corey scolds.

“I heard you left with stitches!”

“I heard you got shot at!”

“Where did you hear all that?!” I yelp.

From the doorway, another familiar figure emerges. “Apologies, Ms. Flowers.” Grisha bows. “I took the liberty of updating your friends and bringing them here. I hope you won’t mind.”

“She sure as hell better not,” Corey harrumphs.

“She has a lot of explaining to do,” June adds sternly. “Falling off the face of the Earth like— Oh my God, is that your baby?!”

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