Page 223 of Ripped Veil (Ripped Bratva)

“Besides the gun?”

She flinches, staring at the handgun that’s now lying discarded on the carpet. “Yes,” she says softly. “It was a note that Charity left for me.”

“A note?”

“She found out something about Anna. She was trying to warn me. But obviously…”

“Anna got to her first.”

“Charity is—she was—so smart. She must have known that Anna suspected she was onto her. Which is why she left me the note. But I was too late. When I realized, I had to come back to warn you.”

“And I’m supposed to be flattered?”

She flinches again. Always fucking flinching. I used to think it was proof of her innocence. Now, I just wonder if it’s another tactic meant to deceive and disguise.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” she whispers.

“Like what?”

“Like I’m the enemy.”

“I haven’t decided if you are or not yet.”

She stares at me in shock. “I just saved your life.”

“A surefire way to earn my trust,” I reply. “Just like Anna killing an Astra Tyrannis underboss was a way to earn my trust. We both know how that turned out.”

“You really believe I’m a spy?” she asks, hurt suffusing her amber eyes.

I ignore that question. “Why did you go back to see your parents?”

She looks down.

“Fucking answer me.”

“I thought they were trying to send me a message. Maybe even threaten me. I went back to find out which.”

“The gift you were sent earlier in the day. That’s what drew you.”

“Yes.”

“What was inside?”

She hesitates for a moment, but then she replies. “A cast iron black swan.”

“Excuse me?”

“It was a paperweight.”

“And it means something to you?”

Her eyes go back down to her hands. “It involves a part of my past I’d rather forget.”

“You don’t have the option of forgetting now,” I tell her. “Tell me what you’re hiding.”

“I… I can only tell you parts.”

“What does that mean?”

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