Page 11 of Shattered Cradle (Makarova Bratva Duet)

When the door clicks shut on Rob, I stand there for a moment, trying to get my bearings. But no matter how long I stand still or how slowly I breathe, the world just keeps spinning faster and faster. I just keep getting dizzier and dizzier.

Nothing is where it’s supposed to be.

I climb onto the bed and bury myself under the duvet, pulling it all the way over my head. The warm darkness is welcoming—but it smells wrong in here.

That doesn’t make sense. Everything is clean. Pristine. Perfect.

But then I realize: I missmybed. Not the one at Mom’s house, but the one in Aleks's.

I miss his carpets and his furniture. I miss the view of the garden and the lake. I miss the walls brimming with sketches and doodles and the scent of the man who stole me infused into every square inch of the place.

I miss something else, too.

But I can’t say his name.

I’ve betrayed my family enough already.

3

ALEKS

The view from Room 5302 of The Imperial Hotel is nice. But I’ve seen better.

I turn away from the window when the door behind me opens. I’ve been expecting her, but I’m still not prepared for the way the sight of her makes my chest clench.

Olivia walks in wearing jeans and a white sleeveless blouse. Her hair is twisted into a loose braid that falls over one shoulder.

She looks beautiful, but worn. Exhausted all the way down to the core.

Until she sees me, at least.

As soon as that happens, her eyes go wide with shock. She glances in horror at the woman who escorted her to me, but Natalie just gives her a parting smile and closes the door on us. She’ll stand guard to make sure we are undisturbed.

“Aleks,” she breathes, turning back towards me. “What—When—How did you even get in here?”

I stalk toward her. “Do you think that a few cameras and some goons with guns can keep me out? Do you think there’s anywhere in this city—inmycity—that I can’t go if I choose? I must say, I’m a little disappointed in that. You know who I am, Olivia May Lawrence. You should know better.”

She twists at the rings on her fingers anxiously. But she doesn’t seem nervous to find me here.

It’s more like she’s nervousforme.

“You can’t be here,” she hisses. “They’re going to come after you.”

“Your brother and Hargrove?” I snort. “Let them.”

It hasn’t been that long. Less than forty-eight hours since I last saw her. And yet, so many doubts and questions sit between us, reminding me of all the rules I’ve broken since meeting her.

I thought I’d be able to focus on that. On the things that need doing, the problems that need solving.

But even now, she’s clouding my mind. I’m looking at the curve of her lips, the contour of her throat. I find beauty everywhere I look.

No matter how hard she tries to hide it from me.

“Who helped you escape?” I ask her.

A veil falls across her face. “No one helped me.”

“Don’t play coy, Olivia. I’ll find out anyway. You might as well tell me now.”

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