Page 90 of Crown of Hate

He walks away, leaving me with a whirlwind of emotions. Outside, Dimitri and Igor are already waiting for me. I greet them halfheartedly, my attention drawn to the sound of approaching tires and blaring music.

A white Rolls-Royce Sweptail rolls into view, and the next second, it’s parked in front of me.

The tinted passenger window slides down, revealing Kira’s grinning face. “Hey, girl.”

An instant smile splits my face. She’s cool, just like her brother. “Hey, nice wheels.”

“I know, right? Hop in.”

I climb in, shutting the door behind me. The car is bathed in a soft feminine perfume I can’t quite place, but it smells heavenly. “Mikhail wants them to follow. They’ll tell him everything if we let them.”

Kira smirks with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Roll up that window.”

I do as she says, already sensing where this is going.

“Let’s see if those meatheads can keep up,” she winks, gunning the engine. We peel out of the driveway, leaving Dimitri and Igor in our dust.

I buckle up, feeling the excitement bubbling up despite my nerves. A little reckless driving might be just what I need. “Can you really lose them?”

“It’s my specialty. Ilya’s bodyguards have never been a match for me,” she says, chuckling.

Her laughter is infectious, and I find myself joining in. “Thanks for this.”

She spares me a brief glance. “You’re Wally’s wife, which makes you my sister. Trust me when I say I’ll do anything for you, no questions asked.”

“Wally?”

She laughs. “His nickname. Long story. I’ll tell you all about it sometime. But now…”

My stomach drops a little as she puts pedal to the metal, tires screeching as we race ahead.

For a little bit, I’m silent, just trying to brace myself against the speed, but eventually I get used to it.

“Mikhail said we’re moving to Russia,” I say, hoping I’ll find some support in Kira. But I narrow my eyes on her when she doesn’t even flinch. “You knew?”

“Ilya told me last night. If my brother succeeds in becoming Pakhan, you’ll both have to live in Russia,” she says, her voice laced with a hint of sadness.

I look down, feeling a pang of uncertainty. The news came so suddenly that I haven’t even had time to process it. Leaving everything I know here behind, even Kira, feels… unreal. But I have to take things one step at a time, starting with finding out if I’m pregnant.

“Don’t look so glum. We’ll visit each other. You know I will.”

“I know,” I say softly. “But Russia is a whole new world. I don’t have a life or friends there. And if Mikhail isn’t around…”

“Mikhail will always be with you, Al.” She checks the rearview mirror. “Do you see them?”

I twist around and search for Dimitri and Igor’s car. Nothing. I breathe a sigh of relief. “I think we lost them.”

Kira beams with pride. “Told you. I’ll stop at a hospital where no one knows Ilya or Mikhail.”

“Perfect.” I point at the radio. “Mind if I…?”

“Go for it.”

I connect my phone to the car speakers and start playing Beyonce’sTexas Hold’em.

Kira and I sing along, momentarily forgetting the weight of the world.

Moments pass and soon we’re pulling up to a nondescript white hospital. We climb out, and I find myself glaring at the building like it’s a cursed castle, until I feel Kira’s warm hands on mine.

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