Page 173 of Gilded Cage (Kovalyov Bratva 1)

That’s the thing about falling—there are some cliffs you can’t climb back up from.

“Esme?”

I glance at Tamara. She’s staring at me curiously. “Sorry. I’m just a little tired, that’s all.”

“Of course,” she nods. “You look like you could use a nice, long sleep.”

The thought of a warm bed beckons me, but despite my exhaustion, I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep.

“I wish I could. But I have to get out of here, Tam,” I tell her. “I don’t want to put you at risk, too.”

She waves away my concerns. “I can handle myself. That door triple locks, baby. You think your Russian boy toy is the first crazy motherfucker that’s tried to bust in here? Nuh-uh.” She grins, then her expressions softens into sympathy. She reaches out and brushes back a lock of my hair. “I just want you make sure you’re okay, honey.”

My hand lands over my belly subconsciously, but I move it away before Tamara zones in on the gesture.

“I think you need to stay here with me, at least for a day or two,” she says. “You need a plan and a destination. Once you have that, then you can leave if that’s what you really want.”

I smile at her, incredibly grateful for how supportive she’s being. “I can’t thank you enough.”

Tamara gives me a sad smile as she reaches out and takes my hand. “Don’t thank me yet, cousin.”

“You let me in. That’s enough.”

Tamara actually looks a little emotional as she leans in and hugs me tight. When we pull apart again, my eyes are wet, too.

“I’m glad you came to me,” she says. She squeezes my hand and gets to her feet. “Why don’t you go to my room and get some sleep? I’m going to pop downtown and grab us some real food.”

“You don’t have to do that,” I protest.

“You look half starved, Esme,” Tamara insists. “The least I can do is send you off with a full tummy.”

I smile and nod. “Thanks, cuz.”

“Of course,” Tamara chuckles with a wink.

I stand up as she grabs a light faux-fur jacket and her bag. I walk her to the door, but at the threshold, she whirls around suddenly and pulls me in for a hug that I don’t expect.

“What was that for?” I ask with a confused smile.

Tamara shrugs. “For my peace of mind.”

I watch as she sashays out the door and down into the elevators before turning and locking the door behind me. She wasn’t kidding—there are three top-of-the-line locks on the door.

I’m half-asleep and getting sleepier with every step towards Tamara’s bedroom. I’m hoping for a few uninterrupted hours of no-dream slumber before I have to face tomorrow.

Before I have to decide what to do with the rest of my life.

I collapse gratefully onto the mattress. It feels like a cloud. Tam-Tam is not one to skimp when it comes to her beauty sleep.

I’ve just settled in between the soft cotton sheets when the subtle chime of the doorbell interrupts my peace and quiet.

Tamara must have forgotten her wallet.

Grumbling, I get up and drag myself to the door.

I’m so sure it’s Tamara that I don’t bother checking to make sure. I undo the chain, the deadbolt, and the backup lock, and pull open the door.

But it’s not Tamara.

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