Page 138 of Shattered Cradle (Makarova Bratva Duet)

“Don’t give me that shit, either!” He waves his hand in front of my face like I can’t see. “You’re the only one blind to the truth.”

“Actually,sobrat,you’re the—”

Jennifer jumps in between us to ward off the incoming spat. “Have you given any thought to what you’re going to do once the baby comes?”

I sigh and let my fist fall by my side. “Hargrove will be dealt with long before then.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

“Well, it’s what I answered. As long as I’m don, we’re not meeting up to have a fucking tea party and gab about each other’s personal lives.”

“I like tea,” Jennifer retorts. “And my life doesn’t allow for girlfriends. You two are the next best thing I can get.”

“If that’s the case,” I say, “let’s talk about the two of you then. Demyan, when is your ex getting remarried?”

“Low blow, asshole,” he grumbles.

“And you,” I turn to Jennifer, “given any thought to when you’ll see Robert again? Time to mend fences, don’t you think?”

She narrows her eyes at me. “I’m done with Rob.”

I shrug. “I don’t know about that. He might pop in to see the baby from time to time. He is the uncle, after all. And you’re something of an aunt, aren’t you? You two might just bump into each other. Very serendipitously, I’m sure.”

Her glare heats up. “If you’re trying to play matchmaker…”

I snort. “Trust me, the last thing I want to do is set you up with that idiot.”

“He’s not an idiot!” she snaps defensively.

I raise my brows at that. I don’t even need to say anything.

Jennifer sighs and crumples forward. “Okay, fine. You’ve made your point. This is no fun. We’ll leave you alone about Olivia.”

Demyan seems less eager to agree to that, but he nods along as well.

“Let’s get down to business, then.” I open up the file in my hand and spread its contents across the table. “I have Hargrove’s schedule for the next few days. Galas, benefits, a few appearances at charities around town. But no honeymoon.”

“He’s probably scared to leave the city,” Demyan suggests. “He knows that things with the case are at a sensitive point.”

“Wouldn’t want to be out of the country when shit hits the fan,” Jennifer adds. “Hashecontacted you recently?”

I know from the inflection in her voice that she isn’t talking about Hargrove.

“He did,” I say. “He remains entirely too cautious for my liking.”

She rolls her eyes. “Of course he is. They have protocols. They can’t make any decision without getting approval first.”

“Maybe that’s a good thing,” Demyan suggests. “It gives us time to fine-tune our strategies.”

Before I can reply, there’s a sharp knock at the door. Jennifer gets up and goes to answer it. She looks back over her shoulder. “Aleks, it’s your mother.”

I tense but nod. Jennifer waves Yulia inside.

“I’m sorry,” she says as soon as she sees us gathered around the war table. “I’m clearly interrupting.”

“I wouldn’t have let you in if you were,” I answer. “Sit down, Mother.”

She sits down between Demyan and me. Her eyes fall to the empty whiskey glasses on the table, but she doesn’t comment or ask for a drink herself.

---