Page 29 of Deadly Devotion
“But you need to call her so you don’t worry,” she says, frowning.
Squatting down, I give her a hug. “Thank you for being so kind. But this is the last time I want you to take Alyce’s phone.”
“Okay,” she says, jumping onto the bed.
I dial Sandy’s number and wait for her to answer.
“Talia?” Sandy’s voice came through the line, filled with urgency.
“Sis, what’s wrong?” I ask, my heart sinking with dread at the tone of her voice.
“Our apartment was broken into and ransacked, although nothing was taken. I’ve called the police, but they can’t do much without evidence,” Sandy explained, her voice tight with worry.
My stomach clenched. “Are you okay? Where are you?”
“I’m at the hotel now. Dimitri took me to get some of my belongings from the apartment. He insists that I stay at the hotel for my own safety. Have you figured out a way to sneak out of the mansion?”
I hesitate before I reply. “Not yet, but maybe I should tell Aleksandr about…” I pause, glancing at Sasha. “About the bun I have cooking.”
“You mean about the baby? Why can’t you say it? Is someone there with you?” Sandy rambles.
“Aleksandr’s niece, Sasha, is here with me,” I reply, smiling at the little blonde girl hiding beneath the bedcovers.
“Do you think it’s the right time to tell him? An awful lot is going on, and I think staying with Luke in San Franciso is the safest thing we can do. I mean, Aleksandr won’t even let us be together.” Sandy sighs heavily, her frustration evident.
“I’m not sure what to do. I can talk to him again about letting you stay here. I miss you terribly.”
“Okay, see what he says. But don’t get stressed out with worry. It’s not good for you or the baby. Besides, I’m safe enough. Aleksandr has men guarding me twenty-four hours a day. I am concerned about the apartment, though. If I don’t return to work or get some money to pay the rent, we’ll lose it.”
I can hear Sandy pacing around in the hotel room. “Okay, sis. I’ll call you back tomorrow. In the meantime, please be careful. If anything happened to you…” My voice cracks as the thought of losing Sandy sends chills up my spine.
“I’ll be okay, sis. Take care of yourself and the baby,” Sandy reassures me, though I can hear the strain in her voice.
I’m left trying to figure out what to do. Do I tell Aleksandr about the baby? Do I ask him to allow Sandy to come stay here with me? Do I forget all that and figure out how to get out of the mansion so we can go to San Franciso?
Before I can fully consider it, Sasha pops out from under the covers and jumps on me, hugging me tightly.
“It’s okay,” she says, her face buried in my neck. “Uncle is the best. I’m sure he’ll let your sister stay here. He won’t want you to be sad.” Pulling away, she looks at me intently while cupping my face in her tiny hands. “Uncle loves you,” she whispers.
I feel like I just got sucker punched in the gut. “What…what do you mean?” I question.
“He looks at you the way Otets used to look at Mama. That means he loves you, silly.” Sasha giggles and wiggles out of my arms.
She takes the phone from my hand and sticks it into her pants pocket. “I’m going to sneak it back into Alyce’s room.” She disappears quickly, leaving me there, wide-eyed and open-mouthed, like a fish out of water.
He loves me?Kids say the darndest things.
I gather my thoughts, knowing I need to decide what to do. Before long, Nikolai appears, informing me that Aleksandr wishes to see me in his office.
My nerves flutter as I follow Nikolai through the halls to Aleksandr’s office. I find both him and Dimitri waiting inside.
“Talia, come in,” Aleksandr beckons, his expression unreadable.
“Good morning,” I greet, attempting to keep my composure despite the weight of the situation.
Aleksandr gestured for me to sit, his gaze probing yet reassuring. “I have something to tell you, but before I do, I want you to know that Sandy is alright.”
I take a deep breath, waiting for him to continue. His phone rings, interrupting him.