Page 85 of Ruthless Serenade

"How’d you get this number?" My voice drops dangerously low.

"Let’s just say I have... friends in interesting places."

"That supposed to impress me?"

"Consider it a preview of our discussion, Mr. Korolev."

"Cut the bullshit. I saw the CNN report."

"Good. Message received then."

"Get to the point before I hang up."

"Tramoxine’s still out there, Mr. Korolev. People are still dying."

I bite back a curse. "If this is about your sister-"

"Mydeadsister," she cuts in, sharp as a blade.

"Right. Sorry for your loss." My tone makes it clear I’m anything but.

"Let me be crystal clear," Rachel says. "You killed her."

A dark laugh escapes me. "That’s quite an accusation, doc."

"You and I both know what happened."

"What I know is your sister and I split up. Like adults. Whatever came after isn’t on me."

"She was depressed, vulnerable-"

"Not my fucking problem."

"She was carrying your child."

Blyad!

That lie again. My jaw clenches. Is it a lie?

"Listen carefully, Dr. Anderson," my voice drops to a dangerous whisper. "There was no test. No proof. Just a bunch of baseless accusations. We’re done here. Call this number again, and you won’t like what happens next."

"That’s not all, Mr. Korolev." Rachel’s voice turns colder, if that’s even possible.

"Enlighten me." My sarcasm drips like venom.

"Eva killed herself withyourTramoxine."

Motherfucker.

So that’s her play.

But it’s not my goddamn problem if she broke into my office, stole the key to the cabinet, and helped herself to what wasn’t hers. Not my fault if she was stupid enough to pop pills with booze.

"I never gave anything to your sister." My voice could freeze hell over.

"Spare me the act." Her tone sharpens like a knife. "Autopsy reports don’t lie."

Silence stretches between us. A waiting game.

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