Page 62 of Viper’s Reign

GRACE

I know the moment Dimitri leaves. The pressure of his presence simply lifts, the way a change in air pressure does.

But I keep my eyes squeezed shut, too embarrassed to look at Arie, afraid of what I’ll see on her face. Thankfully, she stays quiet as she finishes the procedure. My wetness makes the insertion easier, dulling what would have been a sharper sting, and I embrace the cramping that takes over my belly as the IUD settles into my uterus, preferring it to my embarrassment.

Once it’s positioned, she trims the excess strings and removes the speculum. “There, all done.” She pats my thigh gently before stepping back.

I nod, unable to form words, focusing on breathing through the lingering cramps.

“The cramping should ease in a couple of minutes,” she adds softly, and I open my eyes to the snap of gloves and the quiet sounds of her packing up.

“I know,” I murmur, pushing up on my elbow to sit.

“You should remain lying down for a bit longer.” Her brows knit with concern as she watches me stand.

“I know,” I repeat, even as I ignore her advice and make my way to the bathroom, my steps slightly bowlegged.

I avoid the mirror entirely. I don’t want to see my face right now. I don’t want to relive whatever expression I had. I focus on cleaning myself instead, wiping away every trace of my wetness before wrapping a clean towel around my body.

When I return, Arie is already finished packing her things. She doesn’t say anything as I pull on a pair of loose-fitting pants and a shirt. I let her look. By the time I make it back to the bed, the cramps have dulled to a manageable ache.

“Will you be alright?” she asks, and I know she isn’t asking about the IUD.

I let out a heavy sigh. “I don’t know.” The honest answer, which is the only one I have.

What will happen to me now? Will I be tortured again for answers about who sent me? I’m not sure what Dimitri has up his sleeve, but I know he has something. He doesn’t strike me as a man who forgives and forgets. If anything, the way he’s stayed so calm should probably worry me more.

I gulp.

Arie catches the shift in me and steps closer. “I wish I could help,” she whispers as she pulls me into a hug, easing some of the tension—God, I needed that.

“It’s fine. I don’t want you to get involved.” I give her back a long, reassuring rub before letting go. “I’d never forgive myself if you got hurt because of me.”

Her lips press together, but she doesn’t argue. With one last lingering look, she turns and walks out.

The door clicks shut behind her, the lock engaging right after, making me wince. Alone again.

I fall back onto the soft bed with a sigh and blink up at the ceiling. Whatever comes next, I need to be strong and power through. I can’t let anything slip—can’t keep risking Millie’s life the way I have been. My heart aches at the thought that creeps in no matter how hard I push it away: what if she’s not even alive anymore? What if I’ve been doing all of this for nothing?

The sound of the keypad wakes me, and I’m upright before the door opens. The guy with my meal comes in, studiously ignoring me as he sets the tray on the table and quickly backs out again.

My shoulders loosen once he’s gone, and a yawn slips out as I swing my legs off the bed. I eat my breakfast while it’s still hot, then shower and change into a fancy dress. I take my time brushing my hair, making sure to get all the tangles out of the wavy tresses.

I have a feeling I’m going to find out what Dimitri has planned for me today, and it won’t hurt to look good when I do—not that I’m delusional enough to think the way I look would influence his decision.

Sure enough, as I put down the brush, the keypad beeps again. I feign a casual pose, ignoring the nervous clenching of my belly and the pounding of my heart.

The door opens, and Dimitri steps in, looking hot as hell in dark pants and a grey T-shirt. His hair is tousled as usual, falling in a careless mess over his forehead, a few strands brushing his brows and making my fingers itch to touch them.

His stunning blue-green eyes sweep over my body, one brow lifting, but all he says is, “Come.” Then he turns and walks out.

I swallow and follow, my heartbeat picking up with every step.

Outside my bedroom door, one of his men stands guard, but a single nod from Dimitri sends him away. I know I shouldn’t say anything to aggravate him, but I can’t resist teasing, “Are you sure you want to be alone with me?”

He tosses me an unamused glance over his shoulder. “I underestimated you. Rest assured that won’t happen again.”

The words land without warmth, and the small spark of humor I’d attempted goes out. I remain quiet as he leads me down the familiar hallway, stopping at the end in front of a door I recognize too well. The last time we were here, he blindfolded me before letting me in. This time, he simply presses the handle and waves me inside.