Chapter 26 #2
“A little privacy?” he asks curiously. “No, not now. Stay here with me.”
“Mikhail…”
“Aria.” The tone of his voice leaves no room for debate. “You know what’s at risk.”
Yes, I do. I know an attack is imminent and maybe I have gotten a little complacent from weeks of peace.
I need to know if that’s the same Tatiana. I know I could ask him, but — what if he lies to me?
I nibble my food, my appetite gone. I’m completely obsessed with the need to find out more information.
Thankfully, Mikhail is occupied himself.
I wait until he gets a call from one of his brothers, the only ones that get through when he silences notifications.
I pull out my laptop and quickly open an incognito browser.
I was going to show Aleks how easily one could access our texts, so I have everything right at my fingertips.
My stomach flips with nerves when Mikhail’s voice grows harsh.
“What do you mean you can’t find him?” he growls into the phone. “Find him now. Stop everything else. Pause all operations. This is of paramount importance, do you understand me?”
He slams his phone down and curses. With a shaking hand, I hide my browser.
“Everything alright?”
He stews but doesn’t answer at first. Finally, he shakes his head. “Ollie’s gone radio silent.”
Oh no.
I knew this was a risk they took but the actual knowledge that someone might’ve made a move makes apprehension rise in the pit of my stomach. Where is he? How far have they all gone just to keep me safe? Or more accurately, the baby I carry, the heir to the Romanov throne, safe.
I swallow hard and feel like a jerk that I’m totally going to take advantage of this situation to get answers.
“I’m sorry, Mikhail,” I say. “Do you want me to help?”
I would and maybe could, but he shakes his head.
“Not yet, but thank you. Aleks has some ideas and I want him to follow those first.”
“Got it.” I pretend to be preoccupied while he makes another call. When he rises, his back to me, I swiftly pull up what I found. Right here in front of me, I have a transcription of every text conversation these men have had in the past six months.
With dread, I start searching. I don’t need six months.
It takes me two terrifying minutes of rapid work while Mikhail is preoccupied to find the woman’s name again.
Tatiana.
I stare at the date and feel my eyes water. I feel sick.
This one came the day before I met him.
Mikhail
Do you? Perfect. Tell me details.
Tatiana
Woman named Aria Cunningham. Super smart, really pretty but a bit nerdy. On the run from several major organizations because she found out information she shouldn’t. I’m going to send her to you to offer her skills and you can see if she suits you.
Mikhail
Will send the first payment as we discussed. The second if I decide I’ll take her.
I jump at the feel of Mikhail’s grip on the back of my neck. He’s found me out. He sees what I’m doing.
I look up to him but only see a look of concern on his face.
I exhale a trembling breath.
He always grips the back of my neck. It’s his signature move, his hand on the nape of my neck. Normally, I love it. It’s possessive and intimate and I love knowing that I’m his. Right now, though…
“Are you alright, baby?” he asks gently.
I shut my laptop but it’s too late. I feel as if I’m going to be sick.
I begin to tremble, facing him. I need time to process this before I accuse him of anything.
No. No, I’m not okay.
I can’t lie to him.
Why not? He lied to me.
He bought me. Paid a finder’s fee to Tatiana.
I was set up from the beginning. I think I’m going to be sick.
“Stay here, my love. Don’t move. I know when you look like this, you may be easily made nauseous.”
He knows because he’s been by my side for the past few weeks.
He’s taken the very best care of me I could’ve asked for.
He knows when I get sick and what helps, how to soothe my morning sickness.
He massages my feet and draws warm baths.
He’s been the picture of a doting husband, everything a woman could ask for.
Only…only it isn’t real. I was bought to fill a role.
Hell, I’m filling it now. I’m carrying his baby for him because he needs an heir to the throne.
Do I even mean anything to him?
He bends and kisses my temple. “You work too hard, sweetheart. Take your milkshake and have a little break. You can nap if you’d like.”
Because of course he’s so perfect he even has an area in his office he’s set up for me to comfortably nap when I need it.
I look over at what I call “the nap zone,” a cozy nook with a full-sized chaise lounge, adorned with fluffy pillows and a blanket in warm, neutral tones that’s so soft I swear it’s made of cashmere.
It’s even got a shade I can pull for privacy.
He keeps bottled water in a mini fridge and an electric kettle on a low table with herbal teas.
He really is perfect, except for that minor detail that he’s a criminal and ex-con who doesn’t seem to have a moral compass and he just may very well have bought me.
There’s a knock at the door. Mikhail frowns. He was explicit in his instruction that we shouldn’t be interrupted.
“Maybe the milkshake?” I suggest, my voice wavering while I wonder if it could be Aleks. If he comes in here and tattles on me…
I run through possible lies.
I accidentally stumbled on this when trying to do research. No idea how those popped up on the screen but they mean nothing to me.
I was trying to remember a conversation I had about something he researched for baby gear and accidentally scrolled way, way back.
But it’s Chantelle on the other side of the door, her pale face and wide eyes a clue that she knows he’ll be pissed, and she isn’t wrong.
“I told you not to interrupt me unless it was an emergency.”
She swallows. “I’m so sorry, sir. This is an emergency.”
“What is it?” Mikhail’s tone softens the merest fraction.
“Anton’s called and said he’s trying to get in touch with you. He said to check your messages immediately and to call him if you still have time.”
If he still has time?
Mikhail whips his phone out of his pocket and curses.
“Mikhail, what is it?”
“Chantelle, you’re dismissed.” She fairly runs from the thunderous voice and the look in his eyes, though I know it isn’t directed at her.
“Anton’s our informant on the police force, out of Manhattan. They oversee The Cove.”
He shows me his phone. Either he doesn’t remember he has a text on there from Tatiana, or he thinks I won’t understand why it’s there.
Anton
Hide. Now. They’re putting you under arrest. I’m on it.
“They’re arresting you? Where can you go?”
But it’s too late. He opens his mouth to tell me when the blaring sound of sirens fills the air.
The building’s surrounded.