Page 80 of The Watcher's Bride

My eyes dart to where she stands over me, her hair silver in the moonlight. I want to ask what the hell is going on. Why can’t I move and why am I lying on the beach?

“Don’t worry, it’s just the drugs I’ve given you. You won’t be able to move for hours. Not that you’ll live that long, the tide will sweep you away to a watery grave long before then.”

My eyes widen in shock and confusion.

I try to speak, but only a strange gargling sound comes out.

Tatiana keeps talking, not giving me a chance to try again. “I suppose you’re wondering why I’ve drugged you and dragged you out to the beach. It’s nothing personal, I promise you. But I can’t have you messing things up for me, and I especially can’t have you carrying the heir to the Belyh dynasty and I know it’s only a matter of time before you get pregnant”

I freeze at her words. Leo and I haven’t been using any birth control, I haven’t had a period in a few months, but my periods were never regular, so I didn’t think much of it. I’d noticed that my figure was filling out a little over the last few weeks but had assumed that was because Leo made sure I ate, whereas before I’d often go without meals—years of being on a starvation diet meant my appetite was poor. I don’t think I’m pregnant, but the realization that I’ll never get to experience motherhood with Leo cuts like a knife. “You want Leo for yourself,” I try to say, but only the word “Leo” is vaguely comprehensible.

Tatiana laughs, throwing back her head and revealing her pearly white teeth. “You think this is about Leo? That I want him? Is that it?”

I blink slowly, signaling that’s exactly what I think.

“No. This is much bigger than that. I’ll admit, it stung a little after years of his rejections that he chose you, of all people. But no, I’m not killing you because I want to steal your man. I want to rule the Belyh empire. If Leonid had been smart, he would have married me, and we could have removed his uncle and ruled together years ago. But he was a blind fool, Dimitri’s puppet. He could have taken power when he turned eighteen, but he was too weak, happy to work for the man who murdered my mother. Despite our friendship, not once has he spoken outin support of me or let me rise higher in the ranks. The Belyh men are incompetent and not fit to wield the power they have,” she says bitterly.

“If Leonid survives, he’ll come here looking for you. Quinn made sure to tell Nadya that he was on his way here, and, of course, your dear little friend will make sure your knight in shining armor rushes to your aid. Right into our trap,” she says with glee.

From behind her, I can see a figure walking away from the house.

Father.

“Leonid is on his way, alone. My men are distracting the rest of his forces, my love,” Quinn informs Tatiana.

“Excellent,” Tatiana purrs, falling into my father’s embrace and kissing him passionately.

“Your husband will tragically die tonight, and as my betrothed sadly took her own life recently, I require a Belyh family bride,” my father says, sounding anything but sad. “You will become the new Mrs. Quinn, and I will support your claim to the Belyh Bratva. Together, we will rule the biggest empire ever known and control the entire US. We’re so close to achieving everything we want, my love,” Quinn simpers.

To say I’m surprised by the turn of events would be an understatement. They’re both completely delusional. I wonder what my father has up his sleeve, what game he’s playing. But as he looks at Tatiana with naked adoration, I realize she’s well and truly got him under her control.

If I wasn’t about to die because of this crazy bitch, I’d almost respect her for it.

My father crouches down to look at me, tenderly stroking my cheek. “Ah, my dear Norelle. I’ll always remember our time together when you were still my perfect little girl. That’s how I’ll think of you when you’re gone.”

I try to speak, to tell him all of the things I haven’t been able to. To tell him how that no matter what, I will never be his little girl. “Fuck you,” is what comes out, and that’s good enough for me.

My father laughs. “Fighting till the end. If only you’d been a boy…”

He’s so busy talking to me that he doesn’t notice Tatiana coming up behind him. There’s a sharp crack of gunshot and my father’s head explodes. She spits on his body. “Fucking pedophile misogynistic piece of shit,” she hisses.

I’m reeling with shock. I can’t even begin to process what’s going on. I try to speak, but it’s like my tongue is too big for my mouth.

“Men are so stupid,” Tatiana snorts. “As if I could ever love him. The stupid fuck even told all of his men he was going into hiding and that they should follow my orders. He’ll be swept out to sea with you, and I can rule in his place without anyone being any wiser.”

I can feel the water rising now, over my waist.

“Not long now,” Tatiana says cheerily. “Leonid should be arriving any minute for the big finale!”

She watches the house with eager anticipation, and I follow her gaze, dread filling me. What sort of trap have they laid for Leo?

The resounding sound of an explosion and the sight of our home erupting into flames answers my question.

“Ah, sounds like your darling husband is home!” Tatiana exclaims in delight. “Well, Nora, I’d love to stay with you to the end, but I must dash. Now that Leonid is gone and there’s no one coming to rescue you, I’ve got lots to do. It won’t be long now. It will be a peaceful death, I think. We women must be kind to each other, don’t you think?” she says before strolling off down the beach toward the pier.

As the waves rise higher, hopelessness sets in. She’s right. There’s no one to save me. Leo’s gone. I’m not sure I want to survive this night if he hasn’t.

My last thoughts are of him as I look up at the beauty of the stars and the infinite space, wondering if perhaps we’ll be reunited in some unknown place.

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