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“Breakfast, Papa,” Dania says meekly from the toilet “Blini”

Mikhail utters a string of expletives

Alex says tersely, “I’ll call an ambulance”

“No” Another heave racks Dania’s body Sucking in a breath, she says, “I want you to take me, Papa I don’t trust the ambulance”

“Tell your driver to start the engine,” Alex says to Mikhail “I’ll tell my men to make sure the roads are clear You’d better call home on your way and take samples of the breakfast Maybe sweep the kitchen”

Mikhail gives a nod before running down the hallway

“Can you hold down the fort here while I check on security?” Alex asks or to carry Dania to the car”

My stomach twists as I nod “Of course”

Offering ratitude, he follows on Mikhail’s heels

Another bout of vo leaves Dania slumped over the toilet There’s nother hair out of her face If the dose of poison she took isn’t lethal, it’ll work itself out of her system in a few hours However, they’ll still have to an or nervous systee They’ll probably pulucose IV while running tests After overnight observation, they’ll discharge her and send her ho will have been wasted

I look between her and the bag

“Fuck you, Kate,” she says, her chest rising and falling with rapid breaths “I’ll kill you if I went through this for nothing”

Shit I don’t knohat to do She’s right about one thing This is my only chance There won’t be another opportunity The house is in chaos and I’ht in the maelstrom, forced to make a rash decision

Instinct kicks in, survivalfrom behind the door to the vanity area of the bathroom My hands shake as I pull down the zipper and take out a black T-shirt, a puffy jacket, a pair of coo

Aer Pure adrenaline dictatesthe T-shirt over s I only kick offco s inward

Fright freezes me in place If Alex catches me, I don’t knohat he’ll do to uilty I’ve been fro

Lena steps into the bathroom

I blow out a breath, nearly collapsing with relief

“Co “Igor is on his way You have to hurry” She hands“Put them on in the next room I’ll hide your clothes and take care of Dania”