Page 17 of Tarnished Queen

We drive in silence. The tension tightens between us until it’s fit to snap.

Finally, I can’t take it anymore. “Why did you come to the hospital?” I ask.

The slightest raise of his eyebrow is the only sign he can hear me.

“I called you, and you didn’t say anything,” I continue. “But then you showed up to save me. Why did you bother?”

Because I love you, Belle,is what I’m praying he will say.Because I’m angry, but that doesn’t change how I feel about you.

Say it,I beg silently.For the love of God, please say it.

I want to reclaim the joy we had this morning, sitting together and staring at our baby’s sonogram. I want that optimism back.

“Because of loyalty,” he says at last.

I frown. “Loyalty?”

“You said my priority is the Bratva, and that’s true. Which is why I have to protect every member of my Bratva.”

I blink in confusion. “But… I’m not in the Bratva.”

“No, you’re not.” He jabs a finger towards my stomach. “But that baby you’re carrying is mine. And while you’ll never be a part of my Bratva, my child will be. Whether you like it or not.”

Aside from my stifled sobs, the rest of the drive is silent.

* * *

I don’t want to get out of the car once it’s parked in front of Nikolai’s house, but he drags me out after him.

As soon as my bare feet are on the driveway, I realize anew how exposed I am. Physically exposed in this raggedy gown. Emotionally exposed with this broken, bleeding heart.

I move towards the house with the plan to head directly to my room and change, but Nikolai grips my wrist tightly and jerks me back.

“Ow,” I complain, shaking out my wrist. “Why did you—”

“You need to leave,” Nikolai says.

But I realize he isn’t looking at me. He’s looking past me at the blond man who was with us at the hospital.

“Who are you?” I ask, following his gaze.

The man ignores me just like he did as we were leaving the hospital, instead looking at Nikolai. “Are you sure? I can stay. I can try to explain to your men about—”

“No. It doesn’t matter what you say. My men won’t like that you’re here,” Nikolai says. “Tensions are too high.”

The blond man sighs and nods. “I guess give me a call when your men don’t want to kill every Greek in sight.”

Nikolai snorts, and I hate that this man can make him smile even a little when all he has for me are furious scowls. “Then I guess I’ll never talk to you again.”

The man nods grimly and disappears around the bend in the drive.

“Who was that?” I ask.

But before the question is even out of my mouth, Nikolai is shoving me towards the front doors. “Stop asking questions.”

“Then start explaining what’s happening, and I won’t have to!”

Nikolai closes the front door behind him and, in a whirl, spins on me. I back up instinctively, pressing my spine to the wood wainscotting. It digs into my bones, but Nikolai hovers over me. “Are you really complaining about me not explaining myself to you? After everything you’ve done, you should count yourself lucky you’re alive.”

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