Page 72 of Dark Truths

“Not funny,” Raphael comments.

“Doctor humor,” I say back before chuckling. “Sorry.”

After a round of hugs and kisses, they leave, promising to be back soon. Once I’m alone, I turn the television on forbackground noise as I drift off with my hands cradling my flat stomach.

The sound of hushed but angry arguing voices pulls me from my dreamless sleep.?

“I don’t give a fuck what you want, Volkov,” Michael hisses. “You’re not welcome here. How many times do I have to tell you that before you get it through your thick fucking head?”

“I’ll wait to hear those words from Gabriella,” Dimitri responds, his deep voice even and sending a shiver down my spine. “If you don’t mind.”

I open my eyes and see my brothers standing with their backs to me, facing the door where I assume Dimitri is. From this angle, I can’t see his face, but I know it’s him.

“Well, she’s sleeping, so yes, I do, in fact, mind.”

“I’ll wait. I need to see her and—”

“No, you don’t get to come here and ask to see her. Not after what you’ve done.”

“I can assure you it’s all a misunderstanding.”

“Misunderstanding?” Michael repeats with venom in his voice. “How is an engagement a misunderstanding?”

I’m too paralyzed by the conversation to say anything. I want to hear what he has to say because all I keep hearing is his lack of denial over the engagement and his excuses to get me to listen to him. Listen to his lies and sweet talk, more like.?

“It’s not.”

My heart squeezes painfully when he doesn’t deny it again, and I’m thankful they’re all so engrossed they don’t even hear the heart monitor speed up.

“So then what?” Raphael asks. “Have you been using our little sister? Taking advantage of her?”

“Of course not,” Dimitri answers right away, and I hear the truth in his voice, hard and sure.

“Did you think you could continue to see her after getting married to Sophia?” Michael tags on. “Because I’ve got news for you, pal. Our sister is not a whore.”

“I never fucking said she was,” Dimitri growls.

“How long?” Raphael asks. “How long has this been going on?”

“Off and on since early last year.”

“You son of a bitch,” Michael spits before he takes a threatening step toward him.

I can’t stomach the idea of my brother and Dimitri getting into another fight. So just before Michael reaches him, I say loud enough to break through their testosterone fueled anger. “Stop. Please.”

My brothers turn to face me, exposing Dimitri standing in the doorway. He looks at me with a storm of emotions brewing in his eyes and it’s so raw and real that I have to look away.

“Gabriella,” Dimitri softly says my name when I do.

“Shut up, Volkov,” Michael growls over his shoulder."You don't get to say her name."

“I said stop, Michael.”

“Gabriella,” Raphael tries, stepping closer to my bed. I turn my attention to him. “Did we wake you?”

There's no reason to lie. “Yes.”

“We’re sorry,” he apologizes.?

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