Page 80 of Vengeful Embers

"We’re going to talk," he says. "Then I’m getting my doctor out here. We’ll find out once and for all if you’re pregnant."

I nod, too tired to argue.

"Your mom and sister know anything?"

"No. Please don’t tell them."

"Your secret’s safe with me. But I’ll have to check on Sam and Clyde. If they let Romanov near the cabin, we’ve got a problem."

I want to defend them. But I don’t. Because I don’t know who to trust anymore. None of them are my friends. Not Gavriil. Not Irina. Not even Konstantin.

"Did you know about me?" I ask.

He’s quiet, then he nods. "I did. But your parents made us promise not to tell you. It wasn’t my place."

"I get it," I whisper. "Can you tell me now?"

He studies me. "Tomorrow. After you rest."

I hug him. "Thank you. At least I still have you."

"Always."

As I walk to the guest room, he calls out, "Remember the protocol."

"I do."

In the shower, I let the water wash away the tears. But it can’t wash away the betrayal.

Ruslan Dragunov fooled me. Fucked me. Lied to me. Used me.

And I will never let it happen again.

22

TARA

I come awake to the sound of my name and the gentle shake of a strong hand.

"Honey, wake up. They're here."

Nik's voice cuts through the fog in my brain. My limbs feel like they’re wrapped in wet sand. I can barely move.

"Who?" I mumble, my throat dry.

Nik scoops me out of bed like I weigh nothing. "Sorry, honey, but Bella needs to make the bed. You know these young bucks can be quite cocky and heated crashing into a room."

“You are so British, Uncle Nik.” My foggy brain has a smile for the young bucks. Then I frown. Why the fuck is Bella making my bed? Blink up at him. "Are you kicking me out?"

"No. Never," he says, brow furrowed. "But your Russians are on their way."

My eyes snap open. I look at him, suspicion rising like bile. "That show at the gas station. That was intentional, wasn’t it? You wanted them to see you."

"Me?" He arches a brow, innocence painted all over his face.

"Uncle Nik, you’re getting too old for this shit."

He rolls his eyes. "The day a young prick gets the better of me is the day I book myself into a home."

---