Page 101 of Sinful Scars

“Oh, uh, right…” I step aside. “Come on in.”

My heart hammers in my chest as I follow them through to the lounge.

My apartment is fairly small, which means if Lev dares to make a sound, there’s no way that Lucia and Mikhail won’t notice.

I also have to hope that neither one of them will need touse the bathroom while they’re here as the only one I have is off of my bedroom.

This is going to be the breakfast from hell.

I busy myself with getting plates and glasses for some juice as Lucia and Mikhail settle on the couch.

My hands won’t stop shaking as I carry the supplies over to the coffee table, and I can only pray that they don’t notice.

“No Vivi again?”

Lucia opens up the paper bag and starts plating up the bagels. “She had a sleepover with the twins. Zara just adores her and so do the twins.”

“I’m starting to think Zara’s actually stolen her,” I joke as I take a seat in the armchair across from them, though my tone is anything but light.

I need to get it together before I’m the one who gives Lev away.

Clearing my throat, I reach for a bagel and a coffee, hoping that by keeping my hands busy it’ll make my discomfort less obvious.

Mikhail continues to stay quiet as Lucia chats animatedly about Vivi, though his eyes don’t stop darting around the room, taking in every little detail.

I try my best to feign interest, but I can’t help but glance at my bedroom door.

If Mikhail were to suddenly decide to take a look around, it would all be over.

“So, what are you really doing here?” I bounce my knee up and down.

I figure the sooner they get to the point, the sooner they can leave.

The look that Lucia gives Mikhailconfirms that there’s more to this visit than simply enjoying an early morning breakfast together.

“Mikhail was concerned that you’re not taking this whole situation with Lev seriously enough.”

“Is that right…”

“Elle,” Lucia warns.

“I decided to do some digging.” Mikhail drapes his arm over the back of the couch. He’s so large that he makes my loveseat look like an armchair.

“Oh?” I pick at my bagel, not feeling the slightest bit hungry. Though this time, it’s not due to nausea.

Fuck, how the hell am I going to tell them about the pregnancy?

Now I’m really starting to sweat?—

“Earth to Elle?” Lucia snaps her fingers.

“Mmm?”

“You were miles away.”

“Sorry, coffee hasn’t kicked in yet. Sorry, Mikhail. You were saying?”

“I was saying that none of this situation was making sense to me.” He leans forward to rest his muscular forearms on his knees. “Until I married Lucia, the Contis had no obvious link to my family, so I couldn’t understand why Lev was so obsessed withyouin particular.”

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