Page 126 of Shattered Altar (Makarova Bratva Duet)

I hear movement on the other line. I know she’s walking around. I check the time and try to remember what day it is.

Tuesday. Shouldn’t she be at work right now? She always has shifts on Tuesdays.

“Where are you?”

“At home with Mom. Actually, I’m always here now,” she says. “I gave up my apartment and moved in here. She… she needs me.”

“Seriously?”

“The attack really rattled her, Liv,” Mia explains. “She wasn’t comfortable living alone after everything that happened. Honestly, I can’t say I blame her.”

I don’t know why I feel so guilty. It’s not as though I was responsible in any way. But somehow, the fact that I’m now Aleks's wife makes everything seem a little more complicated.

“Of course. I understand.”

“Rob’s saying that he needs to cooperate with the motherfucker who took you,” Mia says. “He doesn’t talk to me a whole lot about his plans… but I do think he is planning something.”

“Sounds like Rob.”

“He’s more determined than ever,” she says. “It reminds me of how he was after Isabella disappeared. I’m worried.”

“Try not to be,” I say. “I don’t want any of you to worry. I’m actually okay. Really.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, I know he abducted me and all that. But it’s not like I’m a prisoner here.”

“What the hell are you talking about? Of course you are!”

“What I mean is, I’m not treated like one,” I rush to explain. “Seriously, Mia, I have a massive room with a balcony and a private bathroom. And a walk-in closet. And I get all these gourmet meals and stuff.”

“Are you trying to tell me you like being his prisoner?” Mia asks incredulously.

“No! No, of course not. That would be crazy. It’s just—”

“Oh, God.”

“What?” I ask.

“I didn’t think I needed to worry about this, given how things went down.”

I frown. “What exactly are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about the fact that you have a thing for bad boys—”

“Are you serious?” I snap defensively.

The fact that she’s right on the nose about this makes me all the more defensive. Whatever happens, I can never admit to my feelings for Aleks.

What kind of woman develops feelings for the man that threatened her family, beat her brother, and forced her into marriage?

Not me, that’s for damn sure. This is just lust. That’s all this is.

And lust is shallow. Temporary. It’ll pass.

I hope.

“I know you, boo,” she sighs.

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