Page 85 of Shattered Cradle (Makarova Bratva Duet)

I don’t have any sympathy to offer her, but as the silence stretches out, I grow too uncomfortable to stay quiet. “Finished your top secret meeting with Aleks, then?”

“Yes.”

“I assume it went well?”

She shrugs. “One never knows with these things.”

“What does that mean?” When she hesitates to answer, I wave off my own question. “You know what? It doesn’t matter. I haven’t earned the truth, right? I’m not part of the ‘in’ group.”

“We’re not in high school,” Jennifer replies. “This isn’t about being in the ‘in’ group. Maybe Aleks just wants to protect you.”

“Ha!” I cackle. “Yeah, ‘cause I’m clearly his top priority.”

“Would that be so hard to believe?”

I stare at her to try and see if she’s messing with me, but her expression is open and genuinely curious.

“Well, if I am his priority, it’s only because I’m carrying his baby. Men like him want a lineage. A son to carry on his legacy or whatever the fuck. It’s not about being a father; it’s about his own immortality.”

“Is that truly what you think of him, Liv?”

“I think a lot of things about Aleks Makarova.”

She sighs. “I’ve known him a long time.”

“Don’t remind me.”

“You know, he and I… There’s nothing going on between us.”

I frown, feeling the color flush into my cheeks, giving me away. Stupid, traitorous circulatory system. Even if I could tell a good lie, my blush would undermine it every single time.

“I didn’t ask.”

“But you’re thinking it, aren’t you?” she presses. “You’re worried about it?”

“I’m not worried about a damn thing. We’re not actually together in any way that matters, so he’s free to fuck whoever he wants. You, the maids, the guard dogs, whoever.”

She gives me a tight little smile and says nothing.

I glare back at her. “What?”

“Come on, Liv. You can’t bullshit me on this one. I’ve dealt with enough angry wives and girlfriends to recognize the signs.”

“Ruined a lot of couples, have you?” I snap. “Not that I’m surprised. I know you’re in the heart-breaking business.”

“You feel insecure about my relationship with him,” she says, ignoring the jab. “But I’m telling you, you have nothing to feel insecure about. He and I knew a long time ago that we’d never make it as a couple.”

“Too much Borderline Personality Disorder to overcome?”

“Too much commitment to succeed,” she corrects.

I frown. “You seemed committed enough when you were with Rob.”

“Rob was… different,” she murmurs. She’s suddenly very interested in playing with the ends of her hair. “He was the job. I was never supposed to drop my guard with him.”

“But you did?”

She smiles sadly. “Rookie mistake. I just… I never expected to like him so much. Or his family.”

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