Page 45 of Sinful Union

I glance down at my hands, realizing they’re shaking. Slowly, I lift my T-shirt and press both of them to my stomach, fingers splayed over the soft skin.

Pavel needs to know the truth about Ana. My chest tightens, the weight of the secret pressing down on me harder than ever. I have to tell him.

And I have to do it soon.

Chapter 20

Kat

Iwave to Ivan and Dima as I step through the front door of the Andreev house, my spirits lighter than they’ve been in days.Today, I get to see my little girl. After a quick stop at the pharmacy under the guise of buying tampons, I now know for certain there’s another one on the way. Having another baby doesn’t scare me. I raised Ana alone. If I have to do it again, I will.

I call for Ana and Camille as I head upstairs, expecting to find them in Ana’s bedroom, where they usually have their lessons. The room is empty. Frowning, I move toward Camille’s room. Nothing. A flicker of unease ripples through me. I check my calendar, confirming that they don’t have an outing planned. Pulling out my phone, I text Camille, waiting for a response as I begin searching the house. After several minutes, still nothing.

I head straight to Vlad’s office. He’s behind his desk, focused on something on his laptop, but the second I enter, he looks up at me.“Where’s Ana?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.

Vlad frowns. “Upstairs, with Camille.” A chill slides down my spine. “No, she isn’t. I can’t find either one of them.”

He looks confused. “What? Where else would they be?”

I don’t bother responding. I turn on my heel, moving quickly through the house. Vlad is right beside me, matching my pace. Piotr’s office door looms ahead.

I don’t hesitate. I throw the door open, and freeze. Piotr is in there, but he’s not alone. A beautiful young woman—half-dressed, flushed, and embarrassed—scrambles to pull on her dress, while Piotr buttons his shirt. He doesn’t look the least bit embarrassed. The smell of sex is thick in the air, and it makes me want to retch.

Vlad bursts out laughing. “Well, this is fucking awkward.”

I can only stare as the woman fumbles with her clothes, her hands shaking as she yanks her dress over her head. She doesn’t even bother with the zipper, too desperate to get away from the situation.

Piotr smirks, running a hand through his hair, completely unbothered. “Do you two ever knock?”

The woman avoids looking at any of us as she bends down, grabbing her shoes from the floor. She turns to Piotr and opens her mouth, ready to say something.But she doesn’t get a chance to speak.

Piotr barely glances at her as he buttons his cuffs and says, “Get out.”

Her face burns red, but she doesn’t argue. She scurries toward the door, head down, heels clutched tightly in her hands.

I step aside to let her pass, my arms crossing over my chest. The second she’s gone, I glare at my brother.“You really shouldn’t treat women like that. Hell, you shouldn’t treat anyone like that.”

Piotr laughs as he finishes tucking in his shirt. “Women throw themselves at me. I don’t have to treat them like anything. If she doesn’t like it, there’s a long line of replacements who’d claw each other’s eyes out for a chance at her spot.”

I scoff. “Right. You know, that’s exactly the attitude that gets men stabbed in their sleep, maybe even by their own sisters.”

Vlad snickers, but Piotr just smirks. “Sounds like you’re speaking from experience.”

I take a step forward, my patience wearing thin.“Where. Is. Ana?”

The smirk fades from his face, his expression hardening in mock concern. And just like that, I know. Something is wrong. Piotr moves behind his desk, taking his time before sitting down. His lips curl in amusement, his next words gutting me. “She’s not here; neither is Camille.”

“Where is she? Tell me now.”

“No.”

I feel dazed, like I’m in the middle of a bad dream. What the hell is going on?

“No?”

“You won’t see her again until you kill Pavel.”

My entire world goes black.

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