Hey guys, I hope you're doing well! There will be lots of swearing in this chapter because Alexei is pissed. Read on for an infamous reunion scene from the books, as well as a couple throwback elements and other references! ;)
Gonna reply to reviews on the previous chapter, thanks so much for the love and to everyone who reviewed!
Guest: Thank you, I'm glad you've found it heartwarming to see Dominic taking care of Alexei! I've really enjoyed writing the Dominic-Alexei scenes and exploring their relationship, especially since I really miss writing the Mikhail-Alexei scenes
Disclaimer: I do not own the Embassy Row series and all the characters (except for Tanner and Jordan and Alexei's Moscow friends, who are my own creations). They belong to Ally Carter. I am merely using her characters and plotline to create this fanfiction. I have no intention of profiting off the Embassy Row series in any way. This fanfiction is purely for entertainment purposes and would not exist without Ally Carter's wonderful works.
The events that happen in this fanfiction are not meant to be representative of real life. Any similarities to any real-life events or fictional works is purely coincidental and not intentional (with the exception of the original Embassy Row books by Ally Carter since this fanfiction is literally Take the Key and Lock Her Up but from Alexei's, not Grace's, perspective). The character's actions may not always reflect my own opinions or views. Based on what happens in this chapter (spoiler alert), I do not condone harming others or physical violence.
Content warning: mild to moderate
This fanfiction is rated M, for explicit and suggestive themes (such as mental health and abuse), language, and violence. This chapter contains strong language, physical violence, mild to moderately crude banter about relationships, and mentions of death and harming others. Please read at your own discretion.
Chapter Twenty-Five: This Life Chose Me
"Man, that is messed up," Jordan said, shaking his head after Tanner and I recounted everything we had learned about Ms. Chancellor and the princess. He had gotten off work a couple hours ago and the three of us were now at the townhouse, having our first proper guys' night in forever, with a movie and snacks.
"I know right? Shit's real," Tanner said, shoving a handful of popcorn in his mouth.
Jordan turned to me. "I hate to say this, bro, but your life has gone to shit."
"It's not that bad," I replied. It honestly wasn't. I mean, sure, my family was a mess and my love life wasn't great, but I had a place to live, peace, and freedom. After everything I had gone through over the past couple months, that was more than enough for me. All I wanted now was a quiet existence with none of the drama that had followed me around for the summer, which over time, I'd heal and move on from.
"Whatever floats your boat, bro." Tanner shrugged. "You're missing out on all the embassy perks."
"You know, I've decided I don't really need the crazy or the drama that comes with embassy life," I mused. How many fancy dinners had I attended, dealing with all the fake pretenses and formalities, going through the same motions over and over again? It could be tiring at times to keep up appearances, when all I wanted was to keep it real. No pretenses, no games, no drama. Just the pure, unadulterated truth, regardless of how ugly or shameful it was.
"I honestly don't know how you embassy kids put up with it all the time." Jordan grabbed a handful of popcorn. "One night of catering at one of those fancy embassy parties and I'm worn. How do you guys do it day in and day out?"
"We're a special breed," Tanner said, around a mouthful of popcorn. "Our whole lives are based around making impressions and interacting with high society. We've got it down to a tee. This is what we were born to do."
"Clearly," Jordan muttered. "Well, Alexei's decided he's out with the embassy life. What about you?"
"Nah, I kinda like it." Tanner struck a pose on the sofa. "It's glamourous, it's fabulous."
"It's also hella shallow and full of drama," I muttered, popping a few pieces of popcorn into my mouth. "And it gets seriously repetitive after a while."
"I can see that," Jordan agreed. "Honestly, much respect to both of you for putting up with it for so long."
"Hey, I didn't choose the embassy life, the embassy life chose me," Tanner emphasized. "So I make the most of it and give them all my best damn show."
"We know," Jordan said, rolling his eyes. "You do a fantastic job of it at every single embassy event."
He held up a large bag of peanut M&M's. "Anyone want chocolate? I bought some on the way here."
"Bro, peanut M&M's are absolutely nasty," Tanner said, making a face.
"No way, they're the best kind," Jordan countered, opening the bag and popping one in his mouth. He then held the bag out to me. "Alexei, you want some?"
"Sure." I grabbed a few M&M's, popping them into my mouth. Sure enough, Tanner reached over, digging his hand into the bag.
"You literally just said peanut M&M's were the shits," Jordan argued, looking at Tanner pointedly.
"Well, I'm not going to turn down free chocolate," Tanner shot back, grabbing a few more. Jordan just rolled his eyes before passing the bag back to me.
We shared the popcorn and M&M's as Tanner and Jordan recounted stories from all the embassy events I had missed since my departure from Adria eight weeks ago. As I listened to them talk about the awkward moments Ms. Chancellor had caught them in, the multi-language sibling brawls Noah and Lila got into, and the number of times Jordan had tried to steal the food, a pang of sadness flickered through my heart. Only other embassy kids understood what it was like to sit through one fancy function after another and the lengths we went to entertain ourselves when everyone was tied up in meetings. I realized it really was about the little things, the things that I had taken for granted and didn't think much about until I could no longer do them now.
"Aww, maybe you do miss embassy life after all." Tanner's voice and a nudge brought me back to reality.
"Not all of it," I replied, popping a few M&M's in my mouth. "Just some things. Like hanging out with you guys and the other embassy kids once the official part of the evening is over."
"See, what can I say? Everyone loves me," Tanner said, holding his arms out in pride to a pretend adoring audience.
"Only in your dreams," I said playfully, smacking him on the arm.
"You know, if things don't work out, you can get a job catering at embassy events. My boss is always looking to hire," Jordan said. That didn't sound bad as I'd still get to see all my old embassy friends. And admittedly, Grace. Would she look down on me serving her if I took a catering job, now that she was in line for the throne?
"Only because you're not competent enough and keep sneaking all the hors d'oeuvres into your car," Tanner argued. Jordan smacked Tanner hard, making him spill the bag of M&M's all over the floor. The smile crept onto my face as I watched the two of them bicker. It really was the little things that I missed about life in Adria.
"Well, what do we say, boys, another movie or we calling it a night?" Tanner asked, as the credits rolled.
"I don't know about you, but I'm beat," Jordan said, yawning.
"Besides, you guys have school tomorrow," I pointed out.
"Yeah, that too," Tanner said, shrugging like it was no big deal. However, I would have given anything to be able to go to school again.
Something in my face must have given me away because Jordan gave me a sympathetic look. "Don't worry, bro, I'm sure they'll let you back in now that your name is cleared."
I nodded, although I didn't feel too sure about that. Yes, my name may have been cleared and my criminal record was wiped but people remembered. The fight with Spence and everything that had happened after, it was gone but certainly not forgotten.
"Come on, it's getting late. You guys should get home," I said, standing up. Tanner and Jordan followed as I walked them to the front door.
On the way out, Jordan poked his head into the gym. "Wow, that gym looks pretty decent. We're gonna have to start up our workout sessions again."
"We can rotate between here and South Korea," Tanner agreed.
"You think they'd let me in there?" I asked. Considering I was an ex-fugitive and ex-embassy kid, I doubted I was going to be welcome in any embassy. Least of all the Russian one.
"I'll put in a good word for you," Tanner said, elbowing me playfully.
"Don't worry about it, it's cool." Though if I was being perfectly honest, I'd be fine with not stepping foot in an embassy ever again. I figured it would be best to put that part of my life behind me and move on. There was no going back now, only forwards.
My phone suddenly rang. I raised my eyebrows when I saw who was calling me.
"Hello?" I answered.
"Hey, Alexei, it's Lila." Her voice was shaky, like she was running. "I found Grace. Meet me and the rest of the squad at Iran ASAP. No time to explain."
"Now?" What the hell had happened that we needed to have an emergency meeting this late at night? It was almost midnight and I had been looking forward to a good night's sleep.
"Yes, now. Megan and Noah are already on their way."
I sighed, knowing I wouldn't be able to talk my way out of this. "Okay, fine, I'll head over there."
"Awesome, thanks, Alexei. See you soon." With that, Lila hung up.
"What was that about?" Tanner asked.
"Lila. Apparently she's found Grace and we're having some impromptu meeting," I replied.
"Whereabouts?" Jordan asked.
"Iranian embassy."
"Okay seriously, whose idea is it to always meet there? Is that like the squad cult favourite for meetings?" Jordan asked, his brows furrowing. I just shrugged, completely agreeing with him.
"Besides, if your girl is going to be there, I don't want to get in the way of a reunion, if you know what I mean," Tanner said, wiggling his eyebrows as he elbowed me.
"Agreed. If this is Lila's elaborate scheme to get you and your girl together for some makeup sex, then I sure as hell don't want to be responsible for cock-blocking," Jordan added. Why did they always have to bring it back to sex?
"For God's sake, Grace and I are more or less done. She's clearly moved on at this point," I muttered.
"What does she even see in him anyways? He's some pre-pubescent squeak," Jordan said.
"I agree," Tanner said. "He's like cheap liquor while you're like fine wine. She doesn't know what she's missing out on." I just gave him a funny look. What kind of a comparison was that?
"Either way, we'll leave you to your meeting, bro," Jordan said. "Let us know how it goes, okay?" I nodded. They both gave me a guy hug. Just as I was about to open the front door, footsteps sounded.
"What's going on?" I looked up to see Karina standing by the staircase.
"It's nothing," I said. "Go back to sleep, it's getting late." However, Karina looked wide awake, like there was no going back to sleep for her.
"Are you going?" Karina asked, looking at the three of us.
"They're going home." I gestured towards Tanner and Jordan. "I have something to attend to but I'll come back shortly. Go back to bed. It's late."
"Can I come?" Karina looked right at me.
"Fine. Put on some shoes," I quickly decided. Leaving her alone in the townhouse at night didn't sound like a good idea, even if I didn't plan on being gone for long. Hopefully, the meeting would be fast and Karina would stay quiet so we could get back here as soon as possible.
The four of us walked out of the townhouse, Tanner and Jordan heading home, Karina and I heading to the Iranian embassy. I walked her over to a deserted tunnel entrance, figuring that would be the easiest way of getting to Iran.
"Where are we going?" Karina asked, as I knelt down to push open the tunnel entrance.
"Taking a shortcut. Come with me." I went down first, guiding her down the ladder. When we finally stepped foot in the tunnels, she shivered. I firmly held onto her hand as I effortlessly traced our path to the Iranian embassy. It was strange how the tunnels almost felt like home to me and scary how well I knew them, even more with the thought of how Karina and I could have shared this together in another life, another time.
As we walked, Karina looked around in awe, mumbling to herself. I wondered if she remembered the tunnels, from before her time in Binevale. There were instances where she stopped to look at things on the wall but I made sure to pull her along. The more time we spent down here, the greater the likelihood of running into another Society member. The last thing I needed was for news of Karina's reappearance to make its way around the Valancia gossip networks.
Before long, we reached the entrance to Iran's basement. I pushed open the large doors, greeted by the familiar sight of the swimming pool.
"Ooh!" Karina excitedly pulled me towards the pool.
"Not tonight. We can swim another time," I said firmly, pulling her further into the embassy. She just kept muttering about swimming and beaches as I led her up the large, sweeping staircase, trying to find the squad. As we approached the second floor, I didn't see any signs of them, the familiar couches empty. Where were they? Sure enough, I heard voices coming from above as I led Karina back to the staircase, winding our way up to the third floor.
"Alexei! You came!" Rosie barreled right at me. I barely had time to let go of Karina before wrapping Rosie up in my arms.
"Yes, Lila called me half an hour ago," I replied, trying to keep an eye on Karina. She seemed pre-occupied by the small lanterns lining the perimeter of the room. With a shock, I recognized them as the camping lanterns the squad had graciously provided for my stay in the cave.
"We thought we'd try to make this place a bit more homey," Megan explained, from where she was sitting on a couch with Noah. "With all the crazy that's been happening in Adria lately, we needed a little hideout."
"And then some," Noah said, winking at Megan as he ran his hand up her leg. I suddenly looked at the couch with new eyes, not wanting to know what sorts of activities it had been host to. I made a mental note to avoid sitting on it.
"What's Karina doing here?" Megan asked warily. We all glanced over at Karina, who was playing with the heavy draperies and muttering about lanterns and fireflies.
"She caught me trying to leave. I didn't feel safe leaving her in the townhouse alone so she's had to come along," I said. Megan nodded in understanding.
"How much longer?" Rosie asked, as she paced the room.
"They shouldn't be much longer," Megan said, frowning at her phone. "Lila hasn't sent me any updates since she got Grace." I bristled at the mention of her name, as did Karina.
"Do you want to take her to another room where she can sit while we talk?" Megan asked, noticing our discomfort. I nodded. Megan took us to an adjacent bedroom.
"I have a meeting. Can you sit here quietly until I'm done?" I asked, leading Karina over to the bed. Karina just nodded, singing some stupid, nonsensical song under her breath. I sighed, deciding that was the best I'd get from her. I walked towards the door, steeling myself for what was to come. But just as I opened the door, I realized I was going to have to be ready, whether I truly was or not. Because standing in the centre of the room was Lila… and Grace.
I sucked in a breath, lingering in the doorway. Seeing her again was like a punch to the gut. She was just as I remembered, beautiful, wild, and haunted, but with a new, dark edge that wasn't there before. One that wasn't afraid to hurt those she loved. It took everything in me not to get sucked into those brown eyes I used to consider beautiful. When I looked at her now, I only saw deceit and lies, knowing that although her eyes looked soft and innocent, she was anything but inside.
"Grace! Where have you been?" Rosie exclaimed, throwing herself at Grace the same way she had to me.
"You know where she was, Rosie," I scowled, reminding her of exactly what Grace had done to us. I closed the door behind me. I supposed it was now or never. Time to face the music, or in this case, my ex-girlfriend.
"How…" Grace started. Yet, she was interrupted by loud, off-key singing floating its way into the room. Ugh, it looked like Karina was going at it again with the stupid nursery rhyme. I really should have just left her at the townhouse.
"How is she?" Grace tried again.
"She's crazy," I stated. That was all she needed to know about Karina. What else did I have to say about her, really? Was she only pretending to be interested, knowing that in another life, Karina, not Princess Ann, could have been her mother-in-law?
But as it turned out, everyone seemed to have forgotten what Grace had done to betray us. Megan rushed towards Grace, pulling her into a hug.
"Karina has started eating," Megan informed Grace. "And she's been sleeping, too. We've gotten her to take a shower and –"
"Now she smells good while she rants and raves like a crazy person," I said harshly. It was the truth. Despite our best efforts to clean her up and make her look somewhat presentable, inside, she was still very much a victim to all the drugs she had taken and the things she had gone through before her disappearance. Nothing was going to change that fact.
"Has she mentioned my mom?" Grace asked. Megan shook her head.
"But we haven't asked," she quickly added, glancing backwards at us, her gaze lingering on me in particular. We all knew that Caroline had been discussed during the Spanish inquisition earlier and that most of what Karina had said about her had been nonsensical at best. So why was Megan trying to sugarcoat things and make it sound better than they were? Grace sure as hell didn't. Yes, she was bound to become the next princess of Adria if everything went according to plan but that didn't mean we had to start catering to her already. I sure as hell wasn't going to, not until she did the same for us.
"So, Grace." Rosie was practically bouncing, way too eager for this time of night. I usually found her endless energy endearing, but now, it was annoying. "What's the plan? I mean, you do have a plan, don't you? I know you have a plan."
"A plan for what?" Grace asked, dumbfounded. However, I couldn't stop my eyes from narrowing. Was she just playing dumb, trying to delay the inevitable? Or did she actually have no idea what was going on? Either way, I knew I'd never trust her again.
Rosie rolled her eyes. "For vengeance." She sounded way too evil for a thirteen-year-old child, making me wonder if Grace's influence was corrupting her. Then she laughed. "Or revenge or justice or whatever you're planning. So tell us. What. Is. The. Plan?"
"I …" Grace started. For once, she was at a loss for words. Why did she even come here if she didn't have anything to tell us?
"Are we going to blackmail Ann?" Rosie continued. "Kidnap the king? Ooh. I know. Palace coup!" Damn, she was really going at it.
"A coup is how we got into this mess in the first place," Noah said sternly. At least he had some sense, compared to some of the others.
Grace just shook her head solemnly, an imminent harbinger of the bad news to come. Despite that, Rosie looked at Grace like she idolized her. I had been foolish enough to do that once and look where it had gotten me. I was never going to make the same mistake again.
"There is no plan," Grace finally said, breaking the tense silence. Didn't she tell us the exact opposite? When she faced the Society and Princess Ann? When she broke up with me that morning?
Rosie rolled her eyes, clearly not buying it. "There has to be a plan. You wouldn't just move into the palace and –"
"I'm going to end it, Rosie. I just want to end it. And if I move in with Ann and let her groom me into whatever I need to be, it will end. Eventually." I took a good look at Grace. Despite all the airs she had recently put on and the fact that it pained me to even look at her, there was something else I hadn't noticed before. Her eyes were tired and weary. If I wasn't mistaken, she looked defeated. Gone was that head-strong spirit I had once loved, replaced by something even more haunted. She was giving up, after staying strong for too long. For a second, I couldn't help but pity her and fall in love with her again, wanting to be the one who saved her from her demons. Although my head kept repeating all the wrongs she had done to me, my heart couldn't help but feel for her. Maybe I always would be in love with her, doomed to a love that couldn't be because of Adrian politics.
"I don't understand," Rosie said. "How is that going to end anything?"
"It will end … when I marry the prince," Grace said. I waited for everyone to express their outrage, to argue against her, much like I had when she dropped the bomb on me. There was outrage alright, just not from a voice we were expecting.
"When you do what?" I looked up, almost stunned by who was standing in the room, behind Grace.
"Hi, Thomas," Grace said. Sure enough, there was Prince Thomas of Adria, looking very much unlike a prince and every bit like the pre-pubescent squeak Jordan suggested he was.
"Grace. What were you talking about?" Prince Thomas walked further into the room, taking everything in with trepidation. The poor kid was almost shaking, like he didn't realize just what he had gotten himself into. Well, he really should have known better because getting involved with Grace almost always meant going right into the deep end and meeting trouble head-on. If he wasn't set to marry Grace, then I almost would have felt bad for him. That kid looked like he had never seen crazy a single day in his life and was now getting it in full force, more than he ever imagined. I supposed that was one of the downsides to leading a sheltered, royal life.
Grace glanced at Prince Thomas then looked at each of us in turn. I could have sworn her eyes lingered on me a fraction of a second longer but decided not to waste any mental effort overthinking it. "I should introduce you to everyone."
Suddenly, he looked blushed, stiffening into ramrod straight, regal posture.
"I am sorry to interrupt," he said formally, too much for this casual meeting. Tanner and Jordan were right; his social skills could use a little work.
"Thomas, these are my friends." One by one, Grace introduced us in the embassy kid way, giving him our names, ages, and embassies. It all seemed to go over his head though, as he looked at each of us, dazed. This was probably too much for the poor kid to take in. I feared he would pass out at some point.
"Hello, Rosemarie," he said to Rosie when it was her turn.
"Hey," she said. Grace gave her a questioning look, to which Rosie merely shrugged. "Thomas and I go way back."
Grace's face contorted into confusion, causing Rosie to throw her hands up.
"What? I know people," Rosie exclaimed. I suddenly remembered the party at the palace for the G-20 summit, where Rosie had been dancing with Prince Thomas. Grace hadn't been there to see that, and all the crackpot theories Tanner came up with after.
"What is the meaning of this?" Prince Thomas asked, turning towards Grace.
"These are my friends," Grace said. "I'm allowed to have friends even though I live in the palace. Aren't I?" At this point, 'friends' was pushing it for my relationship with her. She hadn't given me any of that 'let's be friends' bullshit after she broke up with me. As far I was concerned, we were done for good. There was no being friends with her, not when she had so clearly moved on and was set to marry the prince.
"That's not what I was talking about, and you know it," Prince Thomas snapped. "What did you mean when I came in, about marrying a prince. This prince?" He gestured wildly at himself.
Grace looked around desperately. However, everyone shook their heads. When her eyes flicked over to me, I couldn't help the death glare that escaped. She got herself into this mess. She could explain her own way out of it.
"Your mother and my mother were friends," Grace started.
"Yes. I know. But why should that mean – Don't tell me we've gone back to arranged marriages?" To his credit, Prince Thomas tried to laugh, like this was just one big joke. Well, like it or not, this was the harsh reality of all our lives now, especially his, so he had to suck it up whether he wanted to or not.
"Not exactly," Grace said, a weak attempt at trying to cover her ass.
"That's exactly what you got yourself into," I muttered in Russian, feeling contempt towards Grace for so brazenly parading her future husband around, like she didn't care if she hurt my feelings or not. How was it possible that we had gone from lovers to strangers in such a short span of time and that she had moved on so fast? I moved to the opposite side of the room, as far from her as I could get without physically leaving. The air in the room was getting more stifling by the second and Grace wasn't doing anything to make it better.
"Your mother is of the opinion that it would be best for everyone if you and I were to marry," Grace eked out.
"Why?" Prince Thomas' voice was hard, his eyes narrowed. Maybe he wasn't as awkward and socially inept as I thought. I briefly considered the possibility of bonding with him over the sheer fact that Grace had messed us both up. Girls bonded over men who wronged them all the time; why couldn't I do that with a fellow man?
"It's a long story," Grace said. For fuck's sake, how much longer was she going to put this off? The longer this took, the worse it'd get. I just wanted to go home and get some sleep but she seemed determined to draw this out for as long as possible.
"I have time," Prince Thomas said. And so did Grace, apparently.
"But –"
"Oh, have mercy!" Lila snapped. She took Prince Thomas by the shoulders, spinning him to face her. Good thing Lila could always be counted on to cut through the bullshit and tell it like it was. "Two hundred years ago, when the royal family was massacred, the baby lived. Grace is her descendant, and Grace's brother should be king, so Grace is going to marry you and have your babies so people will stop trying to kill her. Is that everything?" Lila eyed Grace closely, before backing away. "I think that's everything." And in less than thirty seconds, Lila had vocalized what Grace had struggled to get out. I internally applauded Lila for spilling the beans, so Grace couldn't keep dragging it out.
A silence lingered in the room as we all processed what Grace and Lila just said. Then, the door opened and sure enough, Karina emerged from the bedroom, singing at the top of her lungs.
"'Hush, little princess, don't you wait.'" Karina reached for Grace, clinging to her tight. "'The truth is locked behind the gates.'" Prince Thomas eased away, sensing Karina wasn't going to let go of Grace anytime soon. I didn't blame him. Royal life likely didn't include much interaction with the mentally unstable parts of the population.
"'Hush, little princess, pretty babe.'" Karina kept singing, oblivious to her surroundings.
"Yes," Grace said. "That's nice." However, Karina's eyes widened, growing more frantic and desperate by the second, her face paling. I feared her mind was in an entirely different era and that she was seeing something completely different. Before long, her hands shook. I knew there wouldn't be much time left before she had a mental breakdown. I lunged towards Karina.
"Come on," I said, keeping my voice soft. "Karina, come with me." Regardless of whether or not Grace was done, it was time to take Karina back to the townhouse. She had been out for far too long and needed to go home to rest and recover.
However, she kept staring into Grace's eyes, like she was stuck in the past. When she finally spoke, it came out as a whisper. "Caroline?"
"Caroline died," Grace said, not bothering to sugarcoat it. "She's gone." For a second, the haze in Karina's eyes cleared, leaving sharp, bright blue eyes. Had she finally understood that Caroline was dead and she couldn't ever see her again? She turned, spotting Prince Thomas.
Suddenly, it was like she had realized another very different truth because she spun on the guy, slapping him hard across the face. Prince Thomas recoiled backwards in shock, giving Karina the opening she needed to start kicking and clawing at him. I immediately jumped in, grabbing Karina's arm and forcefully pulling her back. She wheeled on me, kicking and hitting but I had expected it, holding my ground as I tried to pry her fingers off Prince Thomas. Lila jumped in, grabbing Karina's other arm.
"Come on, Karina, it's okay," Lila said soothingly. Despite that, Karina kept fighting us, trying to attack Prince Thomas. Noah put himself in between Karina and Prince Thomas, pushing the prince behind him.
"Karina, come with us. You can let go," I said firmly, in Russian, giving her arm a hard squeeze. At last, she finally let go, letting Lila and I pull her away from the prince. That still didn't stop her from eyeing him though. When I looked into her eyes, they were glazed over again. Unfortunately, Grace noticed that too.
"What is it, Karina?" Grace asked. She moved closer, not smart on her part. I tensed up, ready to intervene if need be. "What is going on in there?" She leaned down, looking right into Karina's eyes. My grip on her arm tightened.
"They never knew." Karina sounded panicked but oddly lucid. Was she telling the truth or just spouting crazy talk?
"Who, Karina? What didn't they know?" Grace prodded.
Karina stayed silent, until her eyes glazed over again. In that instant, we had lost her as she started singing the nursery rhyme. "'The sunlight shines where the truth is laid.'"
"Karina, what are you talking about? Did my mother come to see you? What did you tell her?" That was it.
"Stop!" I shouted, pushing Grace away from Karina, not caring how rough I was being. "Leave her alone. Go home."
"But –" This was no time for her to protest. She had done far too much to hurt both Karina and I and I wasn't going to give her any more opportunities to do so. Karina had been pushed beyond her limits and I was done, ready to leave this ridiculous meeting.
"Just get out, Grace. You're upsetting her. Just go."
Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Next chapter will be up between Feb. 18 and Feb. 28.
I'm assuming that the way the original books were written, Alexei and Karina were staying in the Iranian embassy before Dominic set them up with the apartment. So I had to find a way to get both Alexei and Karina to Iran. But regardless, this was a pretty fun chapter to write, especially the scene with Tanner and Jordan at the start. What do you think happens next?