Page 71 of Ruthless Daddies

There’s a long pause, the kind that makes my stomach churn. “The twins,” he says. “It’s possible…they don’t belong to Ivan.”

27

ALICE

Isit cross-legged on my bed, the soft glow of my bedside lamp casting a warm light over the room. My notebook is open in front of me, and I’m staring at the page, pen hovering.

I scrawl down a few notes under the headingElena:

Died in an accident.

Was planning something before she died—evidence from her hidden phone.

Vadim blames the brothers for her death.

Svetlana’s reaction earlier—what does she know?

I tap the pen against my knee, my thoughts shifting to Sergei. He’s always lurking, always watching. Too often, I catch him looking at me with something I can’t quite name—curiosity? Suspicion? Malice? Could he have been involved?

Svetlana and Sergei, I write next.

I pause, biting my lip as I stare at the page. None of it makes sense yet, but the pieces are starting to fit together—or maybe Ijust want them to. I don’t know if I’m onto something or if I’m grasping at straws.

My phone buzzes beside me, and I glance at the screen. It’s Jenna. For a moment, I consider ignoring it—I’m too distracted to make small talk—but I pick up anyway, needing the grounding voice of someone who knows me. Besides, it’s been too long since I last spoke to her.

“Hey,” I say, leaning back against the headboard.

“Finally!” Jenna exclaims, her voice full of mock exasperation. “I was starting to think you’d fallen off the face of the earth.”

“Not quite,” I say with a small laugh. “Just…busy.”

“Busy with what?” she teases. “Or should I say,who?”

My cheeks flush. I’ve been careful not to give her too many details about my current situation, but she knows enough to have plenty of questions.

“Jenna,” I warn, but she’s relentless.

“Oh, come on,” she presses. “Don’t act like I don’t know you. You’re still with them, aren’t you? The three gorgeous brothers?”

I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Yes,” I admit reluctantly.

There’s a brief pause before she bursts into laughter. “Alice Parker,” she says, her tone incredulous. “You’re living every woman’s fantasy. But seriously, are you sleeping with all three of them?”

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