Page 191 of Nine Months to Bear

“I don’t have a place in it.”

“No?” She smiles thinly. “I beg to differ. You’re carrying his heir. I’d say your place is quite central.”

My stomach churns. Not morning sickness—pure dread. “What do you want with me?”

She laughs, genuine amusement in it. “Oh, my dear girl. So narcissistic. What makes you think it’syouI want?”

67

STEFAN

I pace my office in endless laps. The tech team cleared out an hour ago, leaving behind their mess of cables and monitors. Taras sits in my chair, feet up on my desk, watching me wear a path in the rug.

“You need to?—”

“Don’t tell me to calm down,” I lash out.

“Fine.” He shrugs. “Lose your shit. See how that helps.”

I stop pacing and look at him. “We let her go. We just let them take her.”

“We didn’t have a choice.”

“There’s always a choice.”

My phone rings. Mikayla’s name on the screen. Perfect timing. I was wondering when she’d make her next move.

“Stefan.” Mikayla’s voice is smooth as ever when she answers. No hint of guilt or fear. “We should talk.”

“Should we?”

“Face to face. Like adults.”

Taras sits up straighter, mouthingIt’s a trap!at me. I wave him off. “Come to the mansion,” I tell her.

“I’m already here.”

I move to the window. Sure enough, there she is, standing by the fountain in my driveway. Black dress, black coat. Phone pressed to her ear. Looking up at my office window like she knows exactly where I am.

“Front door’s open,” I say. “Got knocked down, actually.”

“I see that. Your security is lacking today.”

Click.She hangs up.

“This is stupid,” Taras says, already checking his gun. “She’s waltzing into your house after betraying you? She’s either suicidal or she thinks she’s untouchable.”

“Let’s find out which.”

We meet her in the foyer. She enters proudly, posture erect, blood-red lipstick perfect. No hesitation. No fear. Just Mikayla, cool and lethal as always.

“Hello, boys.”

“Mikayla.” I keep my voice level. “You look well for a dead woman.”

She laughs. “Do I? How flattering.”

“You want to do this here?” I gesture at the open space. “Or should we go somewhere more private?”