Page 76 of Til Death Do Us Part (Kornilov Bratva Duet 2)

The tray clatters to the floor, and I’m so unaccustomed to the noise that I shove my hands over my ears.

After almost a minute of silence, I realize whoever left the food is gone, so I crawl forward and pick at it.

It is a microwavable freezer meal. The macaroni is salty mush and the green beans are rubbery. Still, I eat everything. The baby needs nutrients, and even if I don’t feel hungry, I can’t skip any meals right now.

When I’m done, I shove the tray against the door and lean back against the wall. My hips hurt from sitting on the concrete floor, but I barely feel the pain. I’m far too focused on the burn of betrayal in my chest.

Hannah lied to me. For weeks.

Every laugh we shared, every secret I told her … she was betraying me. She was spying on me and feeding information to a man who wants to kill me and steal my son.

I drop my face into my hands and cry for the first time since Fedor kidnapped me.

Everything happened so fast: Hannah’s admission, Fedor’s appearance, and my saving Hannah from being shot. There hasn’t been any time to process how I’m feeling, and even now, I’m not sure I want to.

My feelings won’t save me right now. Regardless of how I’m feeling, it doesn’t change the facts.

I’m away from my family, locked up by my husband’s crazy brother, and away from my son.

Viktor doesn’t even know what has happened to me. I wonder whether Fedor will try to convince him I ran away.

Surely, Viktor wouldn’t believe that.

At least, I hope he wouldn’t.

I allow myself another minute of crying before I wipe my face on my sleeve and stand up, shaking off the meltdown.

If I want any chance of getting out of here, I have to stay focused. I have to stay strong. I have to think about Theo and my unborn baby and Viktor.

I have to think about my family.

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