Page 40 of Nine Months to Love

“What happened?” I demand.

“Crazy bitch attacked me!” He pulls his hand away and I see his nose is definitely broken. “I was just bringing her food, and she went fucking feral. She’s demanding to see you.”

“She can demand all she wants. I’m not seeing her until I have a reason to.”

Arkady nods and heads off, still clamping his bloody nose. I check myself in the hallway mirror—no blood, nothing out of place. The kitchen awaits, and so does Olivia.

When I return, she’s standing exactly where I left her, arms crossed, face pale.

“What was that?” she asks again.

“Just Bratva business. Nothing to concern yourself with.”

“Someone screamed, Stefan. In this house. Where I’m living. That concerns me.”

“It’s handled.”

“That’s not an answer.”

I move past her to finish cleaning up. “It’s the only answer you’re getting.”

“Why?” She follows me relentlessly.

My hands go still on the dish I’m washing. “Drop it.”

“No.” She plants herself in front of me. “I deserve to know what’s happening under this roof. Especially if it involves someone being held prisoner.”

“Since you’re not Bratva, you don’t get to be privy to our secrets.”

Her face goes hard. “There it is. The real Stefan Safonov.” She backs away. “Need-to-know stuff again, and I never, ever need to know.”

“Olivia—”

“What you’re describing is the relationship between a boss and his subordinate. Not equal partners in life.”

“This isn’t about partnership.”

“You’re right. It’s not.” She moves toward the door. “Because being in a relationship—a real one—requires a lot. Trust. Honesty. Vulnerability. And you should be prepared to give a lot, too. But I don’t think you’re capable of understanding that because all you’ve ever known is secrets and lies and betrayals. And if someone does hurt you… Well then, who needs forgiveness when you can resort to murder, right?”

I don’t know what to say, so I say nothing at all.

“Thanks for cooking for me,” she says, her voice empty. “But I’m not hungry anymore.”

15

OLIVIA

All night long, as I toss and turn, I can’t stop thinking about that scream.

Female. Furious.Desperate.

My stomach churns, and it’s not morning sickness this time. I have no proof it was Natalia. But I have no reason not to believe it, either.

The manor is never fully quiet. Guards patrol. Voices drift through walls. Night staff move through hallways like ghosts. If I tried to investigate, I’d be caught in seconds. And if Stefan really does have his mother trapped down there, what happens to me when I’m caught trying to free her?

I should cancel tonight’s dinner, this “not-a-date.” His refusal to be transparent about what’s happening in this house should be reason enough. But I know I won’t. Because I’m an idiot who still wants him despite everything.

If I survive this, I’m getting that tattooed on my forehead:I’m an idiot.