Page 43 of Rebellion

Aleksandr’s concerned gaze ran over her. He’d already noticed her fatigue, but having Oleg point it out must have roused his protective instincts because he strode toward her.

“I’ll message Arseni. He’ll take you home now.” Aleksandr glanced at Oleg, who smiled slimily as he stepped out of the room. He glared at her behind Sacha’s back.

A clear warning to watch her tongue.

Why did he want her to leave, though?

Maybe it was just a ploy. He was pretending to care about her in front of Sacha.

That was likely it.

He was trying to gain brownie points and keep up this hoax that they were in a relationship.

Sometimes, she forgot that he wasn’t completely stupid.

Also, he likely wanted her away from Colm.

“Are you all right?” Sacha asked as soon as they were alone.

She gave him a small smile. She couldn’t hide her fatigue, though. “Tired.”

“You haven’t been sleeping. I want you to take a sleeping pill tonight. Understand?”

She nodded, even though it hadn’t been a request. Sacha had had the doctor check her over a couple of days after Dima’s death... murder... demise.

Shit.

Stop it.

He’d prescribed some sleeping pills, which she hadn’t taken.

She hated medicating herself. But she did need sleep.

“You’re to go straight home and take them,” he commanded. “Do I need to have Arseni make sure you take them?”

She narrowed her gaze, her temper flaring. “No!”

“Good.”

Her shoulders slumped as she sighed. “I will. I promise.”

Sofia almost winced as she said that. What were her promises worth?

Next to nothing.

“I heard Maran was here talking to you. What did he want?”

Her fingers itched to pull out the napkin she’d been doodling on. But she hadn’t shown the images to anyone. She didn’t know why. Part of her just needed to figure this out on her own.

Without anyone interfering.

“He wanted to tell me that I don’t deserve to be in this life and that he can help me.” She shrugged. “I think his intentions are good if misplaced.”

Sacha scowled. “I need to get rid of him.”

Alarm filled her. “You can’t do that! He’s a cop.”

“I can do it, but I won’t. Maran is a dying breed. Someone who can’t be corrupted or bribed. Somebody who won’t look the other way no matter what it costs him. Which makes him a problem.”

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