Page 43 of Thorns of Love

“Give me a minute,” I told him. He nodded, almost looking relieved.

I entered to find Isla in the sitting room, both her and Tatiana on the couch, cuddled together. My wife held Isla, murmuring something I couldn’t hear, but neither one of them bothered to acknowledge me.

The coffee table in front of them had platters of fruits, veggies and pastries, half eaten, which was a good sign that Tatiana was eating. Silence stretched, heavy and thick, until both of them finally gave me their attention.

Unsure who’d be easier to handle right now, I started with Tatiana. Bad mistake.

“I assume you told Isla.”

Her eyes met mine, anger and something else in them I couldn’t quite read.

“Why would I do that and make it easier for you?” she snapped.

Yeah, it would have definitely been easier to start with Isla. My sister’s gaze narrowed on me too.

“And you kept the fact that I’m going to be an aunt from me,” she accused.

Fuck, if both of them were ganging up on me, I’d never win.

“You’re going to be an aunt,” I told her.

“I know now!” I had never seen my sister furious before. “And I know you’re not a normal businessman.” So Tatiana had told her something. Before I could say anything, Isla continued, “And no, she didn’t tell me. I suspected it for years. I mean, who has guards with guns surrounding their house. Or on their tail at all times. The only time I had freedom was in boarding school and college.”

I sighed, suddenly feeling tired. Maybe I should have left my bloody clothes on so my sister could see exactly who I was. A killer. A criminal.

It didn’t mean I’d stop it.

“I just don’t get it,” Isla murmured. “The clothes you wear. The way you handle yourself. It’s like you are a normal businessman and then… bang. You kill a person without a second thought.”

“That’s right,” I told her. “And I’d do it again. If it comes to them or my family, I’d kill all of them without a second thought.”

Isla shook her head. “I really don’t know what to think of all of this, Brother. Illegal business. Racketeering. You left me in the dark and I’m not sure how to process it all. I need time.”

And with that, Isla kissed Tatiana on the cheek, then stood up. My heart clenched in my chest. Somehow I had a feeling it’d come to this one day. And if she learned I killed her mother, Isla’d hate me even more.

She marched past me but then stopped just as she put her hand on the door handle and glanced over her shoulder.

“I still love you, Brother,” she said, her eyes softening, and it was as if a heavy rock had been lifted off my chest. She might be my sister but I raised her. She was part of me, just as my future child would be. “No matter what.”

“And I love you, Sestra.” She nodded, the green emeralds shining against her pale complexion. Today was stressful. For both of them. “Please send in the doctor.”

Isla’s eyes darted to Tatiana, asking for her permission and the latter gave her a terse nod. I let out a sardonic breath. I could already sense the two would gang up on me a lot. But I was up for it. As long as I had them in my life, I was up to any challenge.

My wife’s eyes finally met my gaze. The stars I vowed all those months ago I’d put back in her eyes were there yet duller somehow. There was something else there too.Loathing.I didn’t think it had anything to do with what had happened in the garage. Tatiana had seen and heard her share of stories where the Nikolaevs spilled blood.

“What is bothering you?” I demanded to know. The flash in her gaze could spark a flame on its own. She was pissed off. “Don’t tell me it’s about the doctor?”

Her lips thinned.

“You’re not known for holding back,” I said, taking a step closer to her. I needed the scent of roses to assure me she was here and safe. That she was mine. “Spill it, moya luna. We might as well discuss it and resolve it because I intend to be inside your tight cunt later.”

She rolled her eyes. “You’re an asshole.”

Lowering to my knees, I took her chin between my fingers. There was no more blood on her face and she had changed into another dress. Black this time.

“Careful.” I leaned closer to her, my mouth an inch from her lips. “Your mouth gives me a hard on.” I tilted my head pensively. “Unless you want me to fuck you now.”

I wouldn’t. Not until the doctor examined her and ensured she and the baby were okay.