Page 42 of Ours

Lifting her hand to touch her bruised throat, she pressed her lips together. Before Kade left, she made him promise that he would never let Demetri out again. At first, he had brushed her fears aside, claiming that his alter was no longer a threat. It wasn’t until after she swore to leave with their daughter did he take her seriously. He groveled at her feet, vowing that Demetri would stay locked in the shadows. It was the first time she felt she had any real power over him. She thoroughly enjoyed watching him beg.

“Well, that’s never going to happen,” she snapped back.

Nikki sighed.I suppose you’re right. I’m into a lot of things, but necrophilia isn’t one of them.

Huffing in annoyance, she felt her blood boil. She hated how pessimistic her alter was. Kade would come back to her. He had to.

Yes, I’m sure he will.Now tell me the damn time, will you?

Swearing under her breath, she reached across the table and grabbed her phone. Impatiently pressing her thumb on the home button, her eyes widened as she registered the time. Three in the afternoon. Exactly six hours since his last text.

Sucking in a sharp breath, her heart dropped to the floor. She knew time was ticking by, but didn’t realize he wasthislate. Over the past four days, he stayed true to his word, contacting her like clockwork. It wasn’t like him not to reach out, something had to be wrong. Very, very wrong.

Wasn’t he supposed to text and call you every TWO hours?Nikki asked.

Ignoring her alter, she pushed the home button on her phone. Quickly entering her six-digit passcode, she pulled up her texts. Tapping on Kade’s thread, she typed a frantic message.

Setting her phone down on the tabletop, she tried in vain to wrangle her racing heartbeat. Her fight or flight response was ramping up, and she could feel herself edging towards a panic attack. She needed to gain control over her emotions, before she completely spiraled.

I’m sure he’s fine! He’s probably just bashing in someone’s kneecaps or something,Nikki said, breaking her concentration.That’s what mobsters do, right?

Frowning from her alter’s words, she jumped in her seat as she heard the mansion doorbell echo from the foyer. The melodic sound caught her completely off guard, causing the hairs on the back of her neck to stand up on end. She wasn’t expecting company.

Waking from his light slumber, Cupcake moved into an alert position beside her chair. Growling lightly, he kept his brown eyes zeroed on the doorway connecting the dining room to the main hallway.

Unnerved by the shepherd’s reaction, she grabbed her phone and pulled up her app. Clicking on the video alert, she took in a sharp breath when she realized who was at the front door. Fora split second, she wondered if her mind was playing a trick on her. Why wasshethere?

“Valentina! Uh, hi,” she said, her shaky voice transmitting through the app to the speaker on the porch. “I... uh...wasn’t expecting you!”

Knowing she was being recorded, Valentina forced a smile upon her ruby red lips. Lifting a large basket filled with baby blue baby items, she tried to look as non-threatening as possible.

“I come bearing gifts,” she said.

Swallowing hard, Lexi reached into the pocket of her cardigan with her free hand. Finding her trusty switchblade, she cleared her throat as she stood from her chair.

“I’ll be right there!” she muttered before silencing her app.“Shit, shit, shit,”she hissed to herself.

Huh. Wasn’t she supposed to be in South America or something?Nikki wondered.

“Not now!” she said before glancing down to the dog. “Heir, Cupcake!”

Slapping the side of her thigh, she felt a tiny amount of comfort as Cupcake followed her lead towards the front door. At least she wasn’t at a total disadvantage. Between the dog and her blade, she stood a fighting chance should Valentina pull anything.

You really think that that mongrel will be of any help against the Amazon?Nikki asked with a small laugh.I’m pretty sure her bullets will outrun the flea bag.

“If you’re not going to be helpful, then just fucking shut up!” Lexi hissed through gritted teeth.

Suit yourself, Nikki purred before going eerily silent.

Shocked that her alter listened to her, she took in a cleansing breath upon reaching the front door. Counting down from ten in her mind, she tried to calm the icy panic growing in her belly. “It’s no big deal, Lexi,” she whispered to herself. “She’s just dropping off some presents for the baby...that’s all.”

Dropping her eyes to the floor, she gave Cupcake a warning glance before placing her hand on the metal doorknob. Squaring her shoulders, she pulled her lips into a full smile before easing open the stately door.

“Valentina! Hi! It’s so good to see you!” she said sweetly.

Showing herself in, the tall blonde pushed past Lexi with her arms full. Fully stepping into the grand foyer, she gave her a critical side eye before noticing the German Shepherd standing beside her.

“He gave you Cupcake?” she asked, arching a sculpted brow.

---