“You’re not going to say anything to anyone about it,” Kira growls. “Do you understand me? We need to stick together, we’re the only family we have.”
Luigi eyes us both, then sighs. “Fine, but let me know if I can help.”
I nod. “It’s agreed then. This stays secret until I’m ready to say something.”
They both nod, and I look at Luigi. “I better go home before they suspect something. Can you take me?”
“How else are you going to get there, dumbass?” he asks, joking with me. I smile and nod, and we all three leave the bathroom, much to the surprise of a nearby maid.
Luigi and I hug Kira goodbye, and we get into the car, and he drives me back toward the apartment. We don’t say a word. There’s nothing to say. No one can find out about this.
I take the elevator to the penthouse, placing a hand on my womb and removing it quickly when the doors open. I walk in and call, “Ivan?”
“In the library,” I hear him call back. I head that way, and as I enter the room, I see him sitting in the corner reading a book.
“What did he say?” He sets his book down and locks eyes with me.
“He had nothing to do with it, he swears. He is honoring our family unity through marriage.”
Ivan nods. “I didn’t think he would do it. He’s smart, and he wouldn’t start an unnecessary war. No, someone else is up to something. You need security everywhere you go from now on.”
“I agree,” I say, then shift around awkwardly.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m actually exhausted,” I say with a sigh. “I’m just going to go lie down. You read.”
I go to him and plant a soft kiss on his lips. “I’ll see you later.”
Chapter 17 - Ivan
Something is bothering Tori, and that worries me. I’m not sure what to do, though. When I sit down for breakfast with her and Anastasia, I can see the worry on her face, and I want to ask her, but I’m not sure if she’ll open up to me unless we’re alone. Maybe I can get her alone later and ask her.
I do trust she isn’t lying about her cousin not ordering the hit, but sometimes I wonder if Leonid is right, and I’m too trusting. Mila was killed because I placed my trust in the wrong person. I defended them as well, believing they would do what was right. The love of my life died as a result.
A maid puts the paper next to me, and I open it, scanning through the articles to see if any catch my interest.
Anastasia and Tori eat in silence while I do this, but there’s no tension. Once I’m done with the paper, I finish off my breakfast.
“I’m going to check on babushka,” I tell Anastasia. “Do you want to come with me?”
I stand as she’s about to answer me, but she doesn’t get a chance as the emergency stairway door bursts open, and armed men stride into my home, shouting as they enter.
I yell for Tori and Anastasia to get down, pull my gun out from under the table where it’s secretly holstered, and fire at the men, forcing them back for a bit to give my guards a chance to respond.
As I hear my guards’ footsteps, I duck down to look at Anastasia. “I’m fine,” she says.
I look at Tori, who has buried her head in her knees, and I put a reassuring hand on hers.
The noise dies down, and I slowly get up. Aleks stands with one man who is bleeding from his arm. “We kept this one for you, boss.”
“Take him to the guest room and make him comfortable,” I say coldly, helping Tori and Ana to their feet first.
“I want you both to stay in the beach house. It’s more secure. I’ll send extra guards. Go, I’ll follow soon enough,” I explain, leaving no room for argument. “Don’t pack. I’ll have the maids send your things over.”
They leave hurriedly with some of the guards, and I go to the guest room, where Aleks is strapping our captive in a chair.
This specific guest room is soundproofed, and the cupboard is full of toys to use when you want someone to fess up to something they did.