Page 46 of Ripped Veil (Ripped Bratva)

Except, when she reappears, I see that she’s not alone.

She’s holding a groggy infant against her chest. A dark-haired boy with deep brown eyes shaped like almonds.

Elyssa looks at me with big guilty eyes. And for a moment, my brain feels like it’s short-circuiting.

This can’t be happening…

“Well?” the brunette asks without a shred of sensitivity. “Aren’t you going to say hello to your son?”

12

Phoenix

I stare at the apple-cheeked baby in Elyssa’s arms.

His face is turned away from me now. He’s tiny. No more than a couple of months old. Which of course adds up.

Kakogo chyorta,I curse silently in Russian.What the fuck…

“I didn’t think I’d ever see you again,” Elyssa says tremulously.

I still don’t know what the fuck to say to this revelation. So I focus on the one thing I do know how to do: handle an imminent threat.

I pull out my phone and call Matvei. He answers on the first ring. “Phoenix? Are you okay? What happened?”

“Meet me out by Eastern Ave and the Beltway. Bring a big car. Come fast.”

“On my way.”

He doesn’t blink, hesitate, or ask questions. That’s why he’s my closest ally in this world.

The line goes dead. I turn back to the two women who are both watching me carefully.

“Come on,” I order. “Let’s go.”

A shadow of disappointment flits across Elyssa’s face. It ignites the guilt that’s starting to build slowly inside of me.

But I can’t worry about that right now. Because the cops are on their way, and I don’t want Murray stirring while we’re on the run.

“Where are we going?” the brunette asks.

“Away.”

“You said the Beltway. That’s like a twenty-five minute walk from here. Longer with a baby.”

“We can’t use my car,” I snap gruffly. “It’s parked out front and the cops are definitely going to notice the unconscious body over my shoulder. Also, it wasn’t a question. Start walking.”

The brunette seems like she wants to balk again, but Elyssa places a reassuring palm on her forearm, and she falls silent. I eye them fiercely for one more moment before I turn and stride towards the back exit.

As we slip out the door and down into the thin thicket of trees that will give us enough coverage to get away from the shelter without being seen, I notice the flash of sirens in the distance.

“We need to hurry.”

I take the lead, making sure to keep several feet of distance between the women and myself. I don’t even look back as I charge ahead.

“Will you slow down?” the brunette calls after me. “We’ve got a baby here!”

I hear the gurgle of the boy in Elyssa’s hands, and I stiffen instantly. It’s a primal reaction. Carved into my soul like scar tissue.

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