Page 85 of Forbidden Vows

“I’m going to get you and the twins killed.”

“No, honey. This is on Sergei. Besides, I’m not dying here, you hear me? Neither are you.”

“Eileen, we’re trapped. Sergei is on his way over and he’s going to kill us both once the marriage certificate is signed. I’m to blame. I can admit it. It’s my fault. I’m a terrible human being; that’s why Anton didn’t think twice to toss me aside for you. Deep down, I knew—”

“Had he not learned about my pregnancy, he would’ve married you.”

She gives me a long look, her tired eyes filled with shame and grief. “I wanted to rush the wedding the first time, because I saw how you two looked at each other. I was afraid he’d change his mind. And when you fainted, I was so scared he’d pull away that I was in an even bigger hurry afterward. Then he made the new deal with Dad and… God, Eileen, will you ever forgive me?”

“For being insecure? For not being true to yourself? Because that’s where all of this stemmed from. It’s not my job to forgive you. It’s yours to forgive yourself. In order to do that, however, we need to survive.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Stop apologizing. Right now we have to put our effort and energy into getting out of here alive, so we can take that monster down once and for all.”

“You don’t even know the half of it, Eileen. Of what Sergei really is.”

“What do you mean?”

“He said something earlier. God, how could I be so blind?”

“What did he say?”

The door swings open. “Ah, my favorite ladies!”

The devil himself stands before us, hands casually resting on his hips. He looks annoyingly pleased.

“The Donovan sisters reunited,” he adds, taking a step forward. “Has Ciara told you yet? She’s got that sick look on her face. The same look she had when I told her. It’s priceless.”

“Told her what?” I ask.

“Your father didn’t go out on his own,” he says.

It’s a good thing I’m kneeling, because I think my legs would’ve given out upon hearing what he said. The smug look on his face causes my blood to boil, but I need to focus, I need to get Ciara and myself out of here before it’s too late. Therefore, whatever Sergei says to rile me up or to hurt me, I cannot allow it to get to me.

“What did you just say?” I ask, my voice slightly trembling.

Ciara is a mess, holding onto my hands for dear life. She’s terrified of him.

“There’s this thing called thallium sulfate. Incredibly useful and easy to procure when you’re a man of my means,” Sergei says. “Ronan was sick, but it was nothing that a dietary change and a healthier lifestyle couldn’t improve. Hell, he probably could’ve overcome it altogether if he picked up a dumbbell and threw an exercise routine into the mix.”

“You poisoned our father,” I say, the words coming out through gritted teeth. “I know what thallium sulfate is. It’s undetectable.”

“His doctors were stumped. All those tests. But that’s the thing, Eileen. When you don’t know what you’re looking for, you’re not going to find it.”

“You piece of shit.”

“Watch your mouth!” he snaps, then smiles again. “Besides, he had it coming. You and I were going to be the greatest couple in all of Chicago. You would’ve been by my side while I went about my mission to destroy the Karpovs. Look at you now, on the wrong side of the fence. But don’t worry, you and Ciara will bejoining your father soon enough.”

“So, what exactly are you going to do?” I ask Sergei, trying to buy some time to come up with a plan.

“You should’ve stayed with me,” he says, each word dripping with fury and contempt. “I didn’t want to settle for your sister.”

I give Ciara an apologetic glance. “He’s off his rocker. You know that, right?”

“Ronan was still rooting for you to take over the Donovan business. It’s why I made the marriage proposal in the first place,” Sergei continues. “I never bought the Ciara angle. She doesn’t have your resilience, your clear head. More than once, she proved herself to be a spoiled brat. It’s a pity, too, the girl is smart, just not smart enough.”

“I’m going to make you eat those words,” Ciara hisses, fury finally pushing her fear aside. Good. I need her angry.

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