Page 56 of Doubts & Fears

“Hope that your precious Bella has good hips. Being intimate with three men could end up with lots of them.” She tried covering up her words.

The poor child had no idea her facial features were showing her jealousy. I wanted to laugh at her insinuations. Bella would be horrified at the thought.

“Do you want to have Pasha’s babies?” Marcel asked her, pulling my attention once more.

“What kind of question is that?” she sputtered.

“Okay, let me rephrase it. Do you want children?”

“It’s not currently in my five-year plan.”

“Do you have a five-year plan?”

“Do you?” she asked sarcastically.

“Ms. Taylor, I’m almost positive that you’re currently sitting in a room with three huge, angry-looking men. Perhaps you should look at each of their faces and pick a question to answer,” Marcel said, his voice growing firm.

She swallowed hard and looked around the room.

“Your little ass is probably about to get round two of the other night, and if what Ivan said about you is true, you bruise easily. Who are you sleeping with tonight?” Marcel asked, throwing her completely off guard.

“Nikolai,” she breathed. My dick sprang to life and throbbed as she rapidly blinked.

Oh, to be in her head right now.

“Might really want to rethink this approach and answer the question he has, or sleep is not something you’ll get much of tonight.”

“What doesNikwant to know?”

“You mentioned training with your grandfather? What did you mean by that?”

“Why must all of you make me feel like I’m a criminal and that I’ve done something wrong? It’s exhausting, and if you ever wondered why I don’t share anything, it’s because of things like that. What do you think I meant?”

“We all could think of a few things; however, I’d like you to tell us,” Marcel stated.

“Yes, well, I’d like to specifically use a four-letter word and tell you where to go, but the Reaper has an aversion to it, so I’ll refrain and plead the fifth.” She picked at her socks.

“Very well. Let’s explore something else. How do you know so much about the lifestyle?”

“You think my grandfather was…training me in…” She gasped, her face paling before she seethed, “You’re sick, seriously. That’s the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard. Even more absurd than Nik’s suggestion that he was a pedophile.”

“Well, you got your information from somewhere,” he retorted.

“The wonderfulness of the internet is that you can connect with people from all over the world. So I’ll say it again. I don’t wish to discuss my grandfather.”

“Ms. Taylor, the four of us have been extremely patient. I’m going to level with you—”

“How very kind,” she hissed.

“We know who you are. We were informed that in 2014, Owen Taylor took you to Oregon, a place called—”

She sprang to her feet, and an incredible look of pain crossed her face. “You shut up right now. Don’t you dare say another word to me about that.”

Ivan, Alek, and I stared. She went from complete defiance to straight-up distraught. “I…I…can’t do…this…please,” she sobbed.

With a sudden jolt, her body crumbled, collapsing onto the rug beneath her. A haunted expression etched across her face, revealing what I could only describe as agonizing waves of pain. Whatever happened that day had left a lasting impression.

“Gentlemen, we’ll recommence at a later date when Ms. Taylor is ready to discuss this,” Marcel said firmly. His warning was clear, immediately calling a halt to the conversation.

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