Page 59 of Ruthless Daddies

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DMITRI

“You’re both blind if you don’t see it,” I say, sitting back in the leather armchair, my fingers drumming against the armrest.

Ivan is sitting across from me, hunched forward, his elbows braced on his thighs. He hasn’t said a word yet, just staring at the floor like it might give him answers. I know that look—I’ve seen it when he’s seconds away from making decisions that can’t be unmade.

“Are we really doing this?” Nikolai snaps, his voice tight. He turns to Ivan. “You don’t actually believe she?—”

“I don’t know what to believe,” Ivan cuts in, his voice like gravel. He finally looks up, his eyes heavy with something I don’t often see on him—uncertainty. “But we can’t ignore the facts.”

“She’s hiding something,” I continue. “It’s as clear as day.”

Nikolai stops pacing and glares at me. “And what exactly do you think she’s hiding, Dmitri? Be specific.”

“You tell me. She was at that café, alone, and Vadim’s man was there waiting. You really think that’s a coincidence?”

Ivan’s expression darkens, and I know I’ve hit a nerve. “What are you suggesting? That she went there to meet him herself?”

Nikolai whips his head toward Ivan, his scowl deepening. “But that would mean she’s a…” He trails off, almost afraid to say the word.

“A spy,” I finish for him, my voice deliberate and cold.

Nikolai shakes his head immediately, his tone firm. “Impossible.”

“Why not?” Ivan says. “She came to us at a convenient time and she managed to—” He doesn’t finish his thought.

“You think she’s connected to Vadim?” Nikolai asks, his voice quieter now, less defensive.

“I don’t know,” I say honestly. “But think about it, Nik. She’s been here for weeks, she knows too much, and now this. You know I don’t believe in coincidences. If you’re not asking questions, then you’re being naive.”

Nikolai looks away, jaw clenched, and I see the doubt creeping into his features. He wants to believe Alice is innocent—hell, so do I—but none of this adds up.

“Listen,” I say, softening my tone just a fraction. “Even I’ve come to li—” I stop myself, the words catching in my throat. I clear it quickly, shrugging as if it doesn’t matter. “I mean, I’m also fond of her. But it seems like she might be taking us for a trip.”

Ivan’s eyes narrow, suspicion bleeding into his features as he shifts his gaze between Nikolai and me. “You mean you andNikolai,” he says, his voice sharp. “I know you’re sleeping with her.”

The room goes still. Nikolai’s head snaps up, his eyes widening in surprise, while I let out a low laugh.

“And what were you doing with her the other day in your room, hmm?” I shoot back, lifting an eyebrow.

Ivan freezes for half a second, just long enough for me to notice, and then he recovers, his glare sharpening. “That’s none of your business.”

“Oh, really?” I say smugly. “So you can pry into what I’m doing, but I can’t return the favor? Interesting logic.”

Ivan opens his mouth to respond but stops when Nikolai speaks, his voice low and edged with disbelief. “So does that mean all three of us are sleeping with her?”

The room falls into stunned silence. Ivan stiffens, while Nikolai looks genuinely troubled, like he’s finally realizing the mess we’ve found ourselves in. I lean back in my chair, letting the moment stretch, a smug grin curling at the corner of my mouth. “Looks that way, doesn’t it?”

Ivan’s fists clench at his sides, and Nikolai shifts uncomfortably, running a hand through his hair.

“She’s gotten under all our skin,” I say. “That much is clear. But if she’s hiding something—and she is—then we need to figure out what it is before it’s too late. We can’t keep dancing around this anymore.”

“So what are you suggesting?” Ivan finally asks, his voice low, dangerous.

I don’t hesitate. “We question her. Properly this time. None of this playing nice.”

Nikolai shoots me a sharp look. “What, you want us to drag her in here and start interrogating her like one of Vadim’s men?”

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