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“She’s good,” Levan mutters. “Son of a bitch.”
“What?” As soon as the word exits my mouth, I notice the problem.
Seery.
And she’s making a beeline right for where Abi and Gladys are speaking to a couple from our neighborhood—Vlad and Natalina Uri. They’re quiet, keep their property clean, and attend a church closer to home. I have a feeling Natalina could become an excellent friend to Abi if given the chance. Which would be nice because I know they’re around the same age.
“No.” I grip Levan’s arm as he goes to intervene.
“What the fuck?” he hisses at me, glaring at my hand, where I remain holding onto him.
“Dzvirpasihas to do this one on her own. If needed, Zakar is right there, and I don’t think Gladys will let the witch get nasty.”
“She’s the one, isn’t she?” Levan asks, and I raise a brow in question. “She set up the surveillance at home. Seery is the only one aside from us that has been in Abilene’s room. It makes sense. She’s had access to most of the house.”
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure she is.” Killing women isn’t something we do—or, rather, like to do—but if Seery becomes a risk to Abilene in light of her jealousy, then I won’t hesitate to pull the trigger. And I know neither will Levan or Zakar.
* * *
Levan
I won’t hesitate to kill her. In the last four years, I’ve learned that there isn’t much that will stop me from shedding blood. Women can be every bit as devious as men, and this one is apparently no different. I’m unsure what Seery’s plan was with the bugs in our home, but it undoubtedly wasn’t good. Frankly, I’m betting on blackmail.
Before I can take a step in her direction, Val’s hand stops me dead in my tracks. “Don’t. Not yet. Let her hang herself a little.” I shoot a glare his way as I catch Zakar growing tense as Seery approaches Abilene. “I’m telling you, man, that girl of ours might think she’s broken, maybe even weak, but she’s not. She’s stronger than ten men to still be here after what she’s endured.” Even knowing he’s right doesn’t make it easier to leave Abi to deal with the viperous bitch on her own.
Gladys becomes immediately agitated as the woman approaches their tight-knit group, and I sense Zakar’s questioning glance at us as we remain in place. Shaking my head at him, he stays where he is, leaning against a wall about fifteen feet from Abi and Gladys, keeping an eye on them.
It’s not until Abilene begins searching for us that I nearly break my resolve. The desire to rescue her, to show Seery that not only is Abi mine, but I’m hers as well, almost overrides Valerian’s insistence that she can handle this woman. I know he’s right, and when I look at him, I see he’s fighting the same war with himself.
She hasn’t responded to anything Seery has said to her so far, barely even acknowledging that the woman is there. I believe that has to do with Gladys since the older woman refuses to budge out of the way so the viper can get closer to Abi. I don’t see it lasting long, in any case. Not when Abi’s eyes narrow, and her gaze shoots over to laser in on whatever Seery just said to her.
“What I wouldn’t give to be a fly on that wall right now,” Val mutters, and I nod because I’d like to hear what’s being said as well. Especially as I notice Zakar moving in closer and his lips twitching with amusement.
* * *
Abilene
Doctor Seery.
Of course, she would be here. I shouldn’t be as surprised as I am, but I haven’t given her much thought since the day we met. It has flickered through my mind that she could have been the one to plant the bugs in Levan’s house, but the guys haven’t said much since discovering them, so I haven’t dwelled on it.
Until now.
Having her in my face when it’s obvious she is interested in more than a working relationship with Levan is almost like a backhand from the man himself, and I must wonder if he knew she would be here. However, from the way he and Valerian watch me, with anticipation in their brooding eyes, I don’t believe they did. In fact, I’ll bet they’re leaving me on my own because they want me to stand up for myself. I’m not sure if they’re expecting a scene or a claiming, but I’m not prepared for either.
Until Seery spotted us, I was having fun with Gladys. She introduced me to all kinds of people I would never have met had I remained at the men’s side. Not because they wouldn’t have allowed the interactions, but more so, they seemed to have wanted me all to themselves. And I would have thoroughly enjoyed that. However, getting the chance to mingle with people in their world is opening my eyes to so much. None of them are judging me, they aren’t looking down on me.
Or they weren’t.
But Seery seems determined to paint me as an outcast.
“You were friends with Levan’s sister, Yolly, weren’t you?” Seery’s calculating and insulting question pulls my eyes away from Levan and Val to focus her way.
“Yelena. You know that; you were her doctor, after all.” She has the decency to look penitent. “And, yes, I was her best friend.” I know precisely where she’s going with this. She’s unable to get me to act how she wants, or bite at her nipping comments, so she’s going to try to paint Levan as a predator. “We moved away after she passed, unfortunately, so I haven’t seen Levan, Valerian, or Zakar in years.”
I’m hoping she’ll drop it.
Of course, she doesn’t.
