Page 120 of Shattered Cradle (Makarova Bratva Duet)

“I know.”

“I’ve been thinking about what Dad used to tell us. About looking after one another,” she says. “I think about it a lot lately.”

“I do, too.”

“At the end of the day, we’re still sisters. And that will never change.”

I smile. “I’m glad to hear you say that.”

“Good, because… I want you to come.”

My heart stops. For a moment, I’m conflicted. I don’t support this relationship. I can’t.

But then I think about our parents. About how broken they’d both be if they knew what had become of the three of us.

And I think about Yulia, putting her family first no matter what. Even when it was torture to her to do so.

So I put aside every ill feeling I’ve had towards both Mia and Rob in the last several months. I set aside all of our drama and conflicts.

I choose my family.

I choose love.

“Of course I’ll be there, Mimi,” I say finally. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

28

ALEKS

“Turn on the television,” Demyan says, striding into my office.

I flip the switch on the remote and the black panels that hide the TV slide apart. As the screen flickers on, Demyan plucks the remote from my hand and changes the channel.

It’s one of the entertainment news shows. Hargrove’s network, to be specific.

Michelle Caputo, the blonde supermodel turned entertainment news anchor, is twirling her hair. “Wedding bells are in the air, everyone,” she proclaims, batting her eyes at the camera. The shimmering green shadow around her eyes sparkles in the studio lights. “Our very own Donald Hargrove is said to be engaged to a Ms. Mia Lawrence.”

A paparazzi image appears next to her, a grainy picture of Donald in a dark suit with his arm wrapped around Olivia’s sister. Mia is trying to shield her face from the flashbulbs going off around them.

“Now, there’s not much out there about Mr. Hargrove’s lucky lady,” Michelle continues. “She’s not in the entertainment industry, like many have speculated. In fact, she’s just a doctor.”

Demyan rolls his eyes. “And you’re ‘just a moron,’” he growls at the screen.

“She’s certainly beautiful, though,” Michelle continues, turning to her co-host. “What do you think, Manny?”

“Would you expect anything less from Mr. Hargrove?” Manny adds. “I’m focused on the age difference. Mia is quite young, isn’t she?”

“According to the wedding announcement in the paper this morning, she’s a couple of decades his junior,” Michelle says. “But age is just a number, right?”

“Mr. Hargrove sure seems to subscribe to that theory, if his dating history post-divorce is anything to go by!”

They both chuckle good-naturedly. Then Michelle turns to the camera with purpose and says, “Want to know more about the silver fox’s new lady? Stay tuned. We’ve done some digging and we’ll be back shortly with the juicy details.”

“It’s going to be a fucking spectacle,” I say as they cut to commercial break.

Demyan mutes the TV and nods. “Oh, definitely. The whole world will be watching.”

“There’s a play here.”

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