Page 159 of Shattered Cradle (Makarova Bratva Duet)

In the split second before the doors open, I realize he’s wearing gloves. Black leather driving gloves.

He wasn’t wearing them before when he was holding my hand. So he must have just put them on. But why?

I don’t have much time to ponder the question. Because the next thing I know, we’re walking through the doors and facing off with quite the welcome party.

37

OLIVIA

Hargrove stands on the opposite end of the room, surrounded by armed men with deadly purpose in their eyes. My brother stands to the left, separate from everyone else.

But my eyes go straight to the person on Hargrove’s right-hand side.

“Yulia,” I whisper.

Her expression is melancholy. She’s the only one sitting when we walk in, but she stands the moment she sees me. A flicker of worry passes over her face before she lifts her chin and stiffens into the same old mask of imperious confidence.

“Aleksandr!” Hargrove booms, raising both his hands as though he’s welcoming us to his home. “How nice of you to pay us a visit.”

“I wanted it to be a surprise,” Aleks says calmly. “But I see my mother ruined the plan.”

He glances at Yulia, waiting for a reaction. She isn't looking at him, though.

She’s looking atme.

“Olivia, darling, are you hurt?”

Aleks steps in front of me, blocking Yulia from view. I have to step out from behind him to see her again.

I try to speak, but my throat closes. The words are trapped behind fear, behind confusion, behind the jagged shards of my broken heart.

I bite down on my tongue until I draw blood.Snap out of it, Liv.I can’t afford to shut down now. This may not be what I’m used to, but it’s what’s in front of me. And I might as well fight for what’s right.

For myself.

For my child.

For the girl I found in that bedroom.

It’s the only way to absolve myself of the sin of believing in the lies of a wicked man just because he was beautiful. Just because he made me feel special.

“Where’s the girl?” I croak.

“She’s safe,” Yulia assures me.

“Thank you, Olivia,” Hargrove says grandly. “Thank you for helping us. Mia always knew that you would make the right choice once you discovered the truth.”

“The truth?” Aleks asks mockingly. “What truth is that, Hargrove? Yours or mine?”

He glowers at Aleks. “There’s no point running your mouth now, Aleksandr. She knows who you are. She knowswhatyou are.”

Aleks laughs. “She knows only what you’ve fooled her into believing is true. But truth is a stubborn thing. Some truths refuse to be caged.”

Hargrove just chuckles under his breath as though he’s amused. Like this is all some big joke.

I try to catch my brother’s eye across the room, but Rob is fixed on the person standing just behind me—Jennifer.

He’s got one hand on his holster, ready to pull out his weapon at a moment’s notice.

---