Page 127 of Ripped Veil (Ripped Bratva)

“Where’d you go dressed up so nice?”

“I…” It’s not a question I’m expecting. I’m flustered for just long enough that Matvei notices.

“If you’re about to lie to me, don’t.”

Sighing, I shrug and concede the truth. “I had dinner with Elyssa.”

“No shit?!”

“It’s not what you think,” I snap, before he can imply anything. “I just wanted to get her talking.”

“And did she?”

“I laid the groundwork.”

“Groundwork for what?”

“For trust,” I reply.

Then I walk out the door.

26

Elyssa

The Bedroom In The Kovalyov Mansion

“Elyssa, calm down,” Charity cautions.

But I can’t calm down. Because none of it makes sense.

I was stupid enough to think that, after last night, we’d made some progress. Sure, Phoenix hadn’t revealed much about himself. But I still thought I’d felt something shift between us. As though maybe we were becoming less combative. More open with each other.

Then this morning, I’d woken up to find two things. Breakfast laid out for us by the window…

And a locked door.

“Why would he lock us in again?” I cry out.

Charity sighs and bounces Theo on her hip as she walks over the path I’ve been pacing back and forth since I discovered the situation.

“I think I might know.”

It strikes me that she wasn’t in the room when I’d come back to the room last night. Theo had been asleep, and Anna was reading a book by the window. I was so wrapped up in my own thoughts, I hadn’t even questioned it. I just figured she needed a late-night walk or something equally innocent.

But in my preoccupation, I’d forgotten that Charity doesn’t do “innocent.”

“What did you do, Char?”

“Why do you assume it’s something I did?” she asks defensively.

“Charity!”

“Fine,” she huffs immediately. “Just keep in mind, I’m holding your son.”

“Is that supposed to make me feel better?”

“Well, no, I guess not.”

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