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And…I kind of hate them for it. For once, I wanted to feel as though I meant something to someone, meant something more than what my existence could bring them.

Even if the decision was made before they knew the truth, they’ve had plenty of time to tell me the truth and make an appointment with an OB-GYN. Or, you know, wear a rubber when they fucked me.

I wonder now if they would have ever told me if Maddox hadn’t blurted it out. They acted as though they planned to have this deep conversation with me, but they’ve had weeks.Fucking weeksto come clean.

Our wedding is in a week for God’s sake. Did they plan to wait until after I was legally bound to Kato before dropping that bomb on me?

Turning my attention away from Madd, I focus instead on the door, blowing out a sigh of relief when Flora comes barreling through the door, her five-feet-one inch form feeling more like a full battalion as she keeps her chin raised, sneering or glaring at anyone who dares to look at her longer than she wants.

I raise a hand, waving when she finally spots me, and smile as my eyes begin to water with hot tears all over again.

I’m not even sure why the tears are starting back up, whether it’s the comfort I know I’ll find with my oldest –only– friend, or that I’ll finally have someone to talk to who’ll actually understand why I’m so pissed, why I’m so devastated by this new piece of information.

Oh, I’m not delusional. I’m sure my best friend will be more than ready to head straight to the Antoniou estate. She might even make a beeline for Madd since he’ll be the first in her war path and in her line of destruction.

Her smile is tight when she spots me, glances in Madd’s direction, then does a comical double take. She only hesitates asecond before looking at me, as though asking whether I want her to do something about his presence.

I just shake my head and wave her over. Let him sit there and stew. Let him be a dutiful guard, watching over his fake wife.

Because after what I learned less than an hour ago, I can’t help but wonder how much of what they said over the past few weeks is bullshit and how much was truth.

Flora hefts her Hermes bag onto the tabletop and climbs onto the stool. It’s kind of funny watching her try to scramble up, but her height has never stopped her from shit, including going after men twice her size.

This girl doesn’t contain an ounce of fear about anything. Why would she when she constantly has armed guards shadowing her every move and the head of the Russian Bratva as a father.

“I assume he wasn’t invited?” she asks with a jerk of her head in Madd’s direction.

“Definitely not invited.” I glower in his direction before turning my attention toward Flora, effectively ignoring her guards who stand nearby, watching over us, the door, and the people in the bar just like Maddox is doing.

“So what’s going on? I saw Kato’s car out front, and I assume he didn’t simply hand you the fob and tell you to head out on your own after announcing your resurrection.”

With tears burning the backs of my eyes and anger and betrayal threatening to clog my throat, I tell her everything. I tell her about the implant being removed, the tracker somewhere on my body, about actually believing the three men who have owned my heart a majority of my life only to have my heart ripped to shreds.

By the time I’m finished speaking, we’ve gone through two glasses of wine, three shots of cheap whiskey – who would have thought my bestie would prefer cheap shit over the sweet andsour shots we’d done when we were younger – and I can no longer hold back the tears as they roll in hot streaks down my cheeks.

And, by the venom in Flora’s eyes, she’s having a hell of a time holding in her rage.

“Say the word and Daddy will take them out,” she says, leaning forward with her forearms crossed on the high-top and her eyes darting from me to Madd and back again.

I shake my head but can’t muster so much as an amused smile. “I can’t leave. You and I both know they won’t let me. And…I don’t want to. I didn’t want to leave the first time, for fuck’s sake. But how the hell am I supposed to trust them?”

She pushes a hand through her hair and leans against the back of her seat. “Look. You know I’m not exactly a fan of your…husbands.” Her top lip curls a little at the term. “But…I mean, we all thought you’d defected or some shit. Not that I would blame you for going against the Greeks, but they thought you’d intentionally hurt them, and you and I both know the men in our world aren’t exactly known for common sense or patience.”

That actually pulls a surprised huff of laughter from my chest.

“I agree they should have told you earlier. They did tell you, though. And…” She inhales through her nose and blows it out. “Maybe you four could have the family your dad took away from you.”

“I would rather be given a choice, Flora. You of all people should know how it feels to have a man dictate every single moment of your life.” I look pointedly at the two men in expensive suits hovering nearby.

She glances at her guards, winking when Lev looks in her direction. Oh, yeah. If they haven’t already, those two are on a fast track to getting naked, and Lev better hope the Pakhan doesn’t find out.

“I get it. Really, I do. I also know the four of you. Again, I’m not real hip on advocating for those dumbasses, but you guys deserve the life that was stolen from you.”

“Well, shit,” I mutter as a fresh wave of emotion rolls over me and threatens to sweep me under. “I want to stay mad.”

She shrugs and jerks her chin at Lev. I watch as he approaches the bar, bringing back two more shots.

“No more,” he mutters as he sets them on the table.