Hidden Monsters (Volkov Bratva #4)(67)

Lauren, who had been looking distressed at the way everyone was acting, visibly relaxed, one hand going to her stomach reflexively as she cast a smile in Mishca’s direction.

“I, for one, am excited,” Luka continued. “I’ve never owned a baby before.”

“And you won’t start now,” Mishca said, but he too couldn’t fight his smile.

Alex stood, smiling broadly at Lauren. “You should let me decorate the nursery—of course, we can do it together. You’re doing all the hard work, after all. Oh! And just wait until it’s time to pick out clothes.”

While Alex was busy talking to Lauren, Mishca had gravitated towards Luka and Klaus. Alex was so excited about the possibility of having a niece or nephew that she didn’t notice when Natasha walked up. Like before, Lauren’s smile froze, the only warning Alex got before she started speaking.

“Congratulations, Lauren. You must be so excited.”

“Thank you.”

An awkward silence fell over them, and instead of saying something mean, Alex kept her thoughts to herself. Deciding it was best to just ignore her entirely, Alex asked Lauren, “How far along are you?

“About ten weeks, maybe a little further now.”

Alex gave her a knowing look. “Honeymoon. At least we know you had a great time.”

Laughing good-naturedly, Lauren asked, “No one was having a better time than me.”

“Ew, gross, you—”

“Maybe Alex was,” Natasha cut in. “Since she crashed Mishca’s car and all.”

Alex froze and Lauren looked confused before realization dawned. She looked too speechless to respond, but Alex had that covered.

“Considering that nothing here is really any of your business, I don’t see why you’re even talking.”

Natasha turned to her with her head held high, the challenge clear in her expression. “Luka made it my business.”

“When was that exactly?” Alex asked. “Because I’ve been at his house practically every day and he’s been ignoring your calls, or have you not noticed that?”

“Considering I’m here now, it seems I’m his business, or has he not been f*cking me since you were still a minor?”

“And lately?” Alex retorted, the hot rush of anger flowing through her making her tremble with barely contained rage. “Or is he lost in the sea of other men you see on a day to day basis.”

“Not when he’s the only one who matters.”

“But are you the one who matters to him? Because, correct me if I’m wrong, didn’t he leave you a tip before he left?”

Natasha took a step forward, like she had every intention of hitting Alex, but Lauren got in the middle, and if there was one thing that she knew, it wasn’t to swing wild and hit her.

She wouldn’t like the consequences of that.

“That’s enough!” Lauren said in a heated whisper, but it wasn’t enough to keep the attention off them.

Alex barely chanced a glance in Luka’s direction, but seeing him only reaffirmed everything Natasha had been saying.

“Alex…” he called after her, but she ignored him, continuing on.

Sure, she had been spending time with Luka. Sure, he had f*cked her as if the world was ending, but what did any of it mean if he wasn’t offering her anything more than that.

No one might not have questioned their friendship, but she was beginning to see that that friendship had just taken a single step over the edge before jumping right back.

She needed to let Luka go, especially if the woman he wanted was still Natasha.

Spinning on her heel, Alex went to the spare bedroom where the coats were tossed on the bed. Mishca was asking Lauren what was going on behind her, but Alex didn’t turn around to check. If the truth came out about Mishca’s car, then she would just own up to it and leave it be.

Luka wasn’t far behind her though.

“Alex.”

“Oh, f*ck you! Whatever you have to say, save it. I’m so sick of this circle we keep doing. If it’s not you fighting us, it’s your…well, whatever the hell she is to you!”

Grabbing her coat, she pushed her arms through the sleeves, pulling her hair free from the neck.

“So, you’re just going to leave?”

“Yep.”

“And you think I’m going to let you?”

She spun around to face him. “What are you going to do to stop me? You know, Luka…I’m tired of this.”

Luka stood in the doorway, blocking her only exit, his hands in his pockets. It was clear he wasn’t moving until he was ready. “This?”

“Us. Me pursuing you when I’m obviously not who you want.”

“And what gave you that idea, exactly? When I kept you stable as you detoxed? When I gave you everything somebody like me could possibly give?” He pushed off the door, coming so close to her that she could hardly breathe without dragging in his scent. “Or when I finally gave in and f*cked you like I wanted to do for the past six weeks?”

He held her gaze for several moments, letting his words sink in, then said, “You’re not tired of me because I’m sure as shit not tired of you.”

“And yet, Natasha is here, vying for your attention all night. How did you think it would make me feel, Luka? Seeing her here with you—even if you didn’t invite her,” she was quick to go on when he readied to say more. “Even if you were just being nice in letting her stay… What would you do if one of my exes showed up two days after you f*cked me and was hanging all over me?”