Page 127 of Beautiful Cruelty

"Give me a few minutes to figure it out. I'll let you know as soon as I can."

I push back from the desk, my legs shaking as I stand. I stumble into the hallway and nearly collide with Lenka.

"Lacey, dear?What is going on?" Her weathered hands steady me. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

"I need..." The words catch in my throat. "I need to see my sister."

"Why?" Lenka's sharp eyes study my face.

"It's been three weeks since I've arrived," I tell her. "And I haven't talked to her at all. Usually, we don't go for more than a few days without speaking. She's worried."

"Ah." Lenka nods, her expression softening into understanding. "I see. Perhaps she can come here? I'm sure Vadim Petrovich would not oppose his sister-in-law's presence here in Pankration."

"No!" The word bursts from my lips before I can stop it. Lenka's eyebrows shoot up at my outburst, and I force myself to take a steadying breath. "I mean, I can't have her come here."

"Why not? Pankration is your home now, dear."

"Megan doesn't know about the marriage yet," I say, latching onto the closest truth I can find. "I haven't told her anything about any of this." I gesture vaguely at our surroundings. "I need to explain everything to her in person first."

"Ah." Understanding softens Lenka's expression. "Then let me arrange a car?—"

"No," I cut in again, gentler this time. "Please. I need things to seem normal. If I show up in one of Vadim's cars with his drivers, or god forbid, a guard..." I shake my head. "She'll have questions I'm not ready to answer yet. She needs to hear about all of this from me, not piece it together from what she sees."

"You wish to protect her," Lenka says slowly.

"Yes." The word tastes like ash in my mouth. "Exactly."

Lenka studies my face for a long moment. "Very well. Follow me, dear."

I follow Lenka down a spiral staircase into Pankration's underground garage. The lights flicker on automatically, revealing a collection that would make any car enthusiast weep. Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Aston Martins gleam under the fluorescent lights like predatory cats waiting to pounce.

"I can't take any of these," I say, waving at the rows of luxury vehicles. "They're too flashy. She'd notice right away that something's different."

"You don't approve?" Lenka's eyes crinkle with amusement.

"It's not that. My sister knows I drive a beat-up Honda. If I show up in one of these..." I gesture at a midnight blue Maserati. "How am I supposed to explain it?"

Lenka nods thoughtfully. "Perhaps something more practical, then?"

She leads me past the exotic cars to a far corner where a silver Prius sits, looking almost apologetic next to its glamorous neighbors.

"Perfect," I breathe in relief. "This is exactly what I need."

"Lacey." Lenka's tone turns serious as I open the door and find the keys are already in the ignition. "The streets are not safe right now. Vadim Petrovich's actions against Kirsan have stirred up dangerous forces."

"I know." I twist my hands together. "But my sister's worried sick about me. And I need to make sure my family's okay without me there."

My voice cracks.

Dad…I think. I haven't seen him in three weeks. It's been too long. I hope he's alright. I hope they're all alright.

Even Freddy.

Lenka studies me for a long moment before nodding. "Very well. I'll tell him you're resting with a headache if he asks. But please be careful, dear. Don't stay out too long. If you do, he will come looking for you, and the cars have trackers in them."

"Thank you." I squeeze her hand in gratitude. "And I'll return soon. I promise."

I slide into the Prius and take a deep breath. My hands shake slightly as I grip the steering wheel. Even this practical car feels too luxurious compared to my old Honda with its cracked leather seats and temperamental AC.

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