Page 70 of Stolen Seconds

“Roman!” Her tone was stern, but her lips twitched in amusement. “You are becoming a father soon.”

“And?”

“And I won’t have you talking like a madman.”

“One can only hope our son takes after me.”

“God save whatever poor soul ends up with him if that happens,” I mused.

“I mean, you’re his aunt so I can agree with that statement,” Roman shot back and continued the bickering between the three of us.

My chest ached from the affection pouring into the room and ithurt.

“Touché.” I stood from the leather chair and smoothed my sweaty palms over my jeans. “Uh, I better go pack.”

They both nodded and continued their conversation as I slipped out of the study.

Instead of going to my room, I walked out the back and made my way down to the gazebo.

The air was warmer tonight, the perfect weather to wind down and collect my thoughts. My life had alwaysbeen a constant chaos, and it felt as if the air I was breathing was toxic, slowly killing me. For once, I just wanted to breathe a lungful of air that made me want to live again.

Time passed as I sat in the same position on one of the wicker chairs. The sun set until it was pitch black, the only light source coming from the one above me.

A flicker of movement in the darkness stole my attention and I surged up.

“That’s it then? You were going to leave without telling me?” Luca’s voice reached me before he did, and I nearly lost balance from the sheer power of his tone.

He came inside the gazebo and set his daunting caramel eyes on me. The energy he exuded was downright terrifying, and it didn’t help that I was already on edge.

“We don’t owe each other anything,” I muttered, holding my ground.

He chuckled, shaking his head but the sound raked across my skin as if to tell me he didn’t believe my lie.

I watched as he reached for the ropes around the gazebo’s curtains and untied it, letting it drape around one side.

“I’m curious. How many people know about you?”

His question left me confused and his motive to this conversation even more confused.

“Your skill set in lying is quite impressive, and it took me a while to figure you out.” He chuckled again, undoing the second set of ropes as my heart pounded in my chest.

“And what did you figure out?” I asked hoarsely.

He undid the third set.

“That you serve the Bratva.”

My knees nearly buckled at that while my heart skipped a beat or two.

Had Nicolai told him? No, that couldn’t be right. Not only did he promise me, Roman would’ve already raised hell on me.

Luca was a resourceful man and whatever information he’d gathered to come to this conclusion had led him to the right one.

“I have to admit, sulking over your gun because it reminded me of you was quite pathetic of me.” His hands caressed the final curtains aimlessly as if he was in deep thought. “But it did lead me to this.” He threw something my way, and I caught it midair.

I opened my palm and found a small bullet. My confusion grew until I peered closer and my stomach dropped.

It had the Bratva’s mark. Those of us in higher positions had access to them and they were used to make a bold statement or send a message to the opposition. I was not only stupid enough to have used it in a fit of rage but dropped my gun in the process. Right into Luca’s hands.

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