Page 117 of Vendetta Crown

My spoon clatters against the table as I leap to my feet, heart suddenly hammering against my ribs. The twins flutter anxiously in my belly, responding to the surge of adrenaline flooding my system.

"Was that—" Vera struggles to rise, her heavily pregnant body making quick movements impossible.

"Stay here," I command, placing a firm hand on her shoulder. The terror in Mikayla's scream sends ice through my veins. "Please, don't try to move."

Daria rushes toward the door, but I catch her arm. "Daria, stay with Vera." My voice comes out stronger than I feel. "I'll check on Mikayla."

The marble floors feel cold beneath my feet as I race through the corridor. My mind spins with terrible possibilities. Has Semyon sent more men? Is Kristofer here? Did Tamara betray us after all?

Another scream—this one choked and desperate—pushes me to move faster.

"Mikayla!" I call out, following the sound to the stairs.

I take them as quickly as my pregnant body allows, gripping the banister for support. My heart pounds so hard I can feel it in my throat. If anything happens to any of the girls, Ruslan will never forgive himself.

I'll never forgive myself.

That's when I hear a new sound emerge from the direction of Mikayla's room.

Crying.

The kind of gut-wrenching sobs that only come from profound grief.

"Mikayla! What's wrong?"

She's curled against her headboard, knees pulled tight to her chest, rocking back and forth. Her phone lies face up on the floor where she must have dropped it.

When she sees me, her face crumples.

"Aurora!" Her voice breaks on my name, her whole body shaking.

I rush to her side, wrapping my arms around her trembling shoulders. "I'm here. What happened? Tell me."

But she can't form the words. Her breaths come in shallow gasps, her fingers digging into my arms as she points toward her phone. Tears stream down her face, and I recognize the wild, haunted look in her eyes.

It's the same one I've seen it in my own mirror too many times to count for seven years.

"Breathe, Mikayla. Just breathe with me."

While keeping one arm around her, I reach for the phone. The screen is still lit, displaying what looks like a video paused on the first frame.

My stomach drops when I see Kristofer's face, smiling that awful smile I've tried so hard to forget.

And sitting in front of him is…

Oh god!

Tamara, bound to a chair, blood streaming down her face.

"Oh no," I whisper, my fingers trembling as I set the phone face-down. "No, no, no."

Mikayla's breathing accelerates, coming in rapid, shallow gasps that I recognize all too well. The first signs of a panic attack. The same ones that used to overwhelm me in the early days after my family's murder.

"Look at me, Mikayla. Focus on my face." I cup her cheeks, forcing her to meet my eyes.

Movement at the door catches my attention. Vera stands there, one hand on her belly, and Daria is right behind her, both women's faces tight with concern.

"Keep Stella and Sofia in their rooms," I tell them sharply. "No matter what happens, no matter what they hear, they cannot leave. Understand?"

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