Page 177 of Ripped Veil (Ripped Bratva)

That’s the understatement of the year. But it’s as good as I can explain it right now. I can’t even explain my own actions to myself.

“Complicated?” she yelps. “We discussed this! It’s too dangerous here. We need to get out, not get more involved.”

“You made that decision for me.”

“You agreed to it!”

“Because you wouldn’t allow me enough room to think!” I snap.

I try to move past her, but she blocks me again. “You’re not leaving until we figure this out.”

“I want to see my son.”

“He’s fine,” she says impatiently. “He’s with Phoenix.”

I frown. “He is?”

“Why?” she asks. “Are you nervous?”

Am I? I’m not quite sure. There’s definitely a strong feeling in my chest. But I don’t know if it’s nerves—or something else I can’t quite put a finger on.

“Maybe that should be the litmus test,” she says harshly when I don’t answer. “If you don’t trust the man with Theo, maybe you shouldn’t trust him at all.”

I shake my head at her and throw my hands up in frustration. “You’re being unbelievably unfair right now, you know.”

“Me?”

“Yes,” I say, refusing to back down. “You’re the one who wanted to come here in the first place.”

“Because I thought he was strong enough to protect us!”

“He is!”

“You just want to believe that because you’re fucking him.”

I cringe at her crude phrasing but I don’t bother denying it. She knows I slept in his bed last night. It’s not hard to connect the dots.

“You yourself told me that he was one of the most powerful dons in Las Vegas.”

“Not compared with Astra Tyrannis!” Charity practically yells. “Elyssa, Phoenix is one man who controls one Bratva. Astra Tyrannis controls so much more.”

“Why didn’t you tell me all this before?”

“Because I didn’t want to upset or panic you.”

“Or maybe you just wanted to control me.”

She stops short, staring at me with her mouth open. I feel horrible but I don’t take back the words.

“Is that what you think I’m doing?” she asks finally.

“Think about it, Charity. In the past year, you’re the one who calls the shots. And yeah, I go along with it. But maybe that needs to change.”

“Andthisis the time you choose to take a stand? Lys, you don’t know what we’re messing with here! These people are more serious than you could ever imagine.”

“We can’t just leave now,” I say. “It’s too dangerous. The cops are looking for me, Charity. Leaving his protection will leave us exposed.”

“We can disappear.”

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