34. Chapter Thirty-Four
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
T iffany
Sloane arrived like a pregnant hurricane. Her moans could be heard from the plane landing, before they even opened the door.
“My feet hurt,” she cried as a man, I assumed my brother in law, carried her off the plane in his strong arms.
The couple made it over to Viktor and I on the tarmac. We all stared at each other in silence, neither one of us breaking it. The men were glaring daggers at each other, whereas Sloane and I were more apprehensive of the other.
“I can walk,” she whispered.
“Not if I can help it, malishka ,” Alexie murmured back.
I knew then I would love both of them. We just needed to warm up to each other. We got into the limo, with Alexie and Sloane sitting across from Viktor and I. We still sat in silence. I wanted to break it, but I thought the boys should be the first ones to do that.
I nudged Viktor in his side. Be the bigger person, I tried to convey.
He grimaced. “How did everything turn out?”
“I got my revenge, if that’s what you’re asking.” Alexie flashed a toothy grin.
Sloane leaned forward to get my attention. “How are you handling things?” She murmured.
“Everything is fine,” I shrugged.
Her face fell. “You aren’t nervous they’ll change their minds?”
“About what?” I was confused.
“Killing us after we have the babies,” Sloane squeaked out.
A pin drop could have been heard in the limo, as the men fell quiet. Taken aback, I asked my sister in law to repeat herself, but Alexie’s hand on her shoulder stopped her from opening her mouth.
“You were going to kill me?” I whispered.
Viktor looked away, heaving out a sigh. “It was before.”
“Before what?” I crossed my arms. How could he betray me? Didn’t we have an agreement?
“Before I knew you.” His eyes met mine, fire burning behind their orbs.
I knew he had passion for me. That wasn’t our issue. I thought he had respect for me. I thought I was his partner. I figured we were in this together. But after hearing what I’d been told just now, I realized I was alone all along. I just didn’t know it.
I rushed out of the limousine, as soon as we pulled up to the compound. Sloane waddled after me, and after a brief two seconds of watching her struggle, I slowed down. It wasn’t her fault my husband was a secret keeping asshole. I mean, I was keeping secrets of my own, but those didn’t count. They weren’t life threatening. If I were ever caught, Viktor wouldn’t lose his life over it.
“Wait up,” Sloane panted.
“I figured I could show you the birthing suite. That way you can familiarize yourself with it.” I slowly headed up the stairs, breathing out a sigh of relief when she was able to follow along.
“I heard you decorated it.”
I nodded. “I wanted you to feel comfortable here.”
She shrugged. “As soon as I have this baby, we will head back to America.”
Surprised, my eyebrows rose. “So soon?”
“It’s what Alexie wanted.”
“I thought I would be able to get to know you better.”
She giggled, “it’s not like we don’t have time.”
An ominous tingle ran up my spine, but I shook it off. “True.”
We reached the landing, and I opened the doors to the left of the staircase. The birthing suite could fit over fifty people inside of it. There were couches and daybeds. Places to get ready and a large bathroom connected to it. It was built with the birth of the first male heir to be born. My father in law let me know that during a chess match one night.
I’ve learned a lot from my father in law over the past few weeks. Even though I felt nauseous every time I was in his presence, I kept a smile on my face and played my part. That reminded me of Viktor’s betrayal. He told me there would be no more surprises. Yet here we were, with another bomb dropped on my shoulders.
“It’s tradition,” Viktor spoke from the doorway, ignoring Sloane, his eyes solely on mine.
“I don’t care. We were supposed to be partners,” I snapped at him.
“We are.” He walked over to me and wrapped his arms around my stomach.
I stilled.
“Does this mean-” I couldn’t finish the sentence.
“Yes.”
“When?” He found out and didn’t tell me? I wanted to know all the details.
“A few weeks ago. I was trying to come up with the right way to tell you, so we could tell my father together.”
I snorted. Was my marriage based on lies? I pulled away from him. “I need some space.”
“What? No.”
“Yes,” I stated. “I need time to think about everything I have learned. I need time away from you.”
Viktor’s eyes grew cold and he glared at me. “You have 24 hours, and then I’m coming for you.” He spun on his heel and walked out of the doors. I jumped when I heard the front door slam.
“What are you going to do?” Sloane asked me.
“I’m not too sure. I know that once the baby comes, we will have something to distract the men with. Do you know what you’re having?”
Sloane shook her head no. “The doctor didn’t want me to have any more stress than what I currently have.”
I nodded. “Well, why don’t you lay down and get some rest. I’ll come grab you when supper is on the table.”
“Oh, thank you. I would appreciate that so much.” She sank down on the bed and let out a loud groan.
I waved goodbye and headed out. It must be hard growing a child. I placed a hand on my stomach. Was I ready to give Viktor a child? Would I outlive my usefulness after that? I couldn’t dwell on these questions. It felt like I had too many enemies lining up behind me. I needed to protect myself and my child.
It didn’t seem like anyone else would.