“What?” I ask when he doesn’t say anything.
“I’m thinking.”
“About what?”
“About why Kyle isn’t part of this.”
My chest squeezes at the mention of his name, but all it finds is emptiness. I don’t want to hear his name, because that will force me to remember what he said on the phone. The cruel, final words that destroyed the bridge we were slowly building as if it’d been made from sand.
Rai is nothing. I’ll just leave her behind.
He smashed everything we could’ve ever had together.
I might have considered forgiving him, but that’s also shattered into little unredeemable pieces. He didn’t only betray me, he also betrayed everything I stand for.
My family.
My duty.
My honor.
He crushed me and left me no choice but to crush him in return.
“He doesn’t need to know,” I tell Vlad in a voice void of emotions. “He’s not part of the Bratva.”
“But he’s your husband.”
“That doesn’t automatically give him the right to know everything about my life.”
Vlad narrows his eyes as if he feels I’m bluffing him. “Back then, when he said the bond between husband and wife is more important than anything else, you didn’t seem to disagree.”
He did say that. The hypocrite.
“That doesn’t matter. Let’s just keep it from him.”
“Why?”
“Because. Why are you so insistent on bringing him in?”
“Why don’t you tell me why you want him out? Unless…”
“What?”
“Are you suspecting him? Because if you are, I’ll torture that fucker to death.”
Shit. Shit. This is exactly why Vlad shouldn’t know.
I keep my expression the same, because he’s watching me so closely he’d feel the change.
“No. Of course not. I just don’t trust that he’s completely into the brotherhood.”
“You trusted him enough to fall pregnant with him.”
“I'm not pregnant, Vlad.” He should at least know that truth.
“You’re not?”
“It was a false positive and I didn’t want to disappoint Sergei.”
“Huh.”
“Is that a relieved tone or a disappointed reaction?”
“Neither. Just piecing things together. So? What’s next in your grand plan?”
I inhale deeply and release it through my teeth. This is it. My turn to play.
“Come closer, Vlad. Here’s how it’s going to go.”
5
Rai
Later that day, I tell the doctor I want to go home. Or more like, I inform him, since I didn’t stay around to treat any sicknesses, anyway.
I’m about to change my clothes when Kyle steps inside, remaining at the door.
In these past few days, I tried everything to separate myself from him. Not only did I strategically plot my amnesia so he’s in the part of my life I don’t remember, I also pushed him away every chance I could.
Honestly, I should get acting awards for the ways I feigned panic attacks. But that first day? The one in which I cried? Yeah, those tears weren’t entirely acting. The betrayal was so tangible and raw and I had to express it somehow.
I glare at him, but soon cut off eye contact because I’m not supposed to be glaring at someone I don’t remember.
Kyle is perceptive to a fault, and what makes it more dangerous is that it’s not obvious on the outside. He gives off a nonchalant vibe when he actually observes everything in his environment. Part of it is because he’s a killer, and the other part is because he’s naturally distrustful.
If I let my guard down even for a second, he’ll pounce on me. And because of that, I need to be careful while pushing him away.
“The doctor said you’re free to go home. If you’re not feeling well, you can stay longer.”
“I’m fine.” I motion at my dress on the bed that I was planning to wear before he came in. “Can you get out? I need to change my clothes.”
He reaches me in two steps. “I will help.”
“No. Just leave me alone.”
I try to ignore how close he is and how his frame is nearly perching over mine with the height difference. His hair is damp and falls to his strong forehead. He must’ve taken a shower, changed clothes, and come right back in.
He can pretend to be worried about me and my wellbeing all he likes, but I’m not an idiot who will fall for it after he’s been using me all along.
Kyle doesn’t even attempt to leave. On the contrary, he barges into my space until his clean, distinctive scent robs my air, and just like that, I’m caged by his presence.
There’s something about being trapped by him. Oxygen ceases to exist, and the world turns blurry except for the place where he stands. That’s not blurry at all. If anything, it’s lighter, shinier, and crystal clear. But not everything visible is beautiful. After all, the devil looks his best when luring in his victims.
“Didn’t you hear what I said?” My voice doesn’t lose the edge, but I try not to come off too strong so it doesn’t raise red flags.
“I did hear what you said, Princess. But I’m not leaving.”