to death.”
The girls all gasp before turning to me. Then I’m forced to lay it all out for them, and I watch Tatiana’s eyes narrow dangerously.
“It was an accident, Tat. He didn’t mean—”
“Irina!”
“God help me,” I mutter when the doors rattle so hard, I’d be nervous if not for the fact that he had a door installed that would survive a tornado.
“I’ll make his miserable life even more of a misery. How dare he just walk away like that! And how dare you keep all of this to yourself? We’re supposed to be sisters, Ri.”
“I know, Tat, and I appreciate you guys, a lot. I just don’t want to talk about them at the moment. I have more on my plate right now than I can handle.”
Like the fact that I could be a mother soon.
Chapter Four
Irina
It’s the moment of truth, I think as the three crones I love so dearly lean over my shoulder, Nik’s hands holding on to the first test with a death grip as we hold our breaths.
Then I know the results. I fall to my knees and start filling Nik’s apartment with high-pitched wails.
I’m pregnant, and I’m horrified.
Nothing will be the same after this. I may be financially stable and able to have a child, but I am in no way ready for any of this. I’m in the process of thinking about calling my attorney to start divorce proceedings, my family hates me, and I’m about to find out why a mother who carried me and birthed me left me on the church steps like a piece of garbage.
How can I be a mom when I have no one to guide me?
“Oh goodness, I am so excited. I’m going to buy the little demon some baby Nikes and one of those mini baseball caps and…”
They help me up and basically carry me to the sofa, a bright green monstrosity that is so at odds with Nik’s personality, my eyes cross with confusion whenever I see the darn thing.
I’m in shock right now and have to stifle a scream when the door starts rattling and the pounding of fists echoes through the little space.
“Angel?”
The man is like a steamroller, trampling and stomping over everyone and everything in his path. You’d think my rejections and outright refusal to so much as breathe the same air as him would have stopped him from pursuing me. Instead, he’s even more determined.
Damned interfering brothers of his must have rushed right to him and told him about my sob fest, which I now laughingly have to admit must have been upsetting.
“Don’t make a sound and he’ll go away,” I hiss at the gaping trio, narrowing my eyes at their amusement when I hear the click of the lock and watch in horror as the door swings open, revealing an unkempt Misha and the two hyenas behind him.
“This is straight-up awkward. And really cute at the same time.”
“Shut up, Liza!”
The fact that he just picked a lock doesn’t surprise me. Hell, nothing about this man does, except the regret shimmering in the depths of those blue eyes.
“I think you should give us a moment, ladies. Please.”
“No, just—”
“Please.”
Just like that the softness is gone as he gives them a look and his tone changes, going hard and authoritative. Unsurprisingly, Tat takes up her mantle of protector and glares at him, sniffing loudly as Eliza and Nik throw looks at Leo and Vadim.
“You’re an asshole who doesn’t deserve a minute of her time.”
“You’re a no-good cheating toad who doesn’t understand the meaning of your vows.”
“She’s way too good for your cheating ass and we all know it. I can’t believe I wanted to help you win her back, you shit eater.”
That last statement has me grinning and I watch his eyes narrow a second before the goon squad marches forward and leans in to whisper into the women’s ears.
Suddenly, I’m left alone with him, drowning in the sight of his handsome face and his dishevelled hair. Strangely at peace for the first time in weeks.
Longing aches within my burning chest. Once, just weeks
C. J. Cherryh
Learning to Kill: Stories
John O'Riley
Brenda Sinclair
Christopher George
Stephen Lloyd Jones
Karl Iagnemma
Celya Bowers
Jill Gregory
Aria Cunningham