Chapter 16

**Jules**

I woke up on a cold, cement floor. Throat dry. An ache between my legs. I glanced across the room to see Alexei unconscious and bloodied. He’d been stripped of his suit, leaving him in only his underwear. And me? I was dressed in lingerie.

“Alexei?” I whispered.

I crawled on my hands and knees. I shook him, but I didn’t get a response. I blinked and tried to remember the chain of events. Nothing was coming to me. I was pregnant. No, I am pregnant. I remember being in the car with Alexei. We were going to go to a safe house Vadim set up for us.

Then… nothing.

Alexei groaned and began to stir. “Baby girl?”

“I’m here, Alexei.” I told him.

He opened his eyes and jerked upward into a sitting position. He took me in his arms and kissed me hard. Almost like he thought he was going to lose me or die.

“I thought… the baby?”

“I’m okay. The baby is okay.” At least, I think so.

“But the… there was so much blood.”

“I’m…”

The door bursts open. I clung to Alexei. He kissed me again and whispered. “I love you, baby girl.”

“I love you too, Alexei.”

“Aww, look at this. Did you enjoy the honeymoon?”

I bit my lip to prevent myself from letting the anger from putting my baby in danger. I couldn’t risk it. But when the time came to fight, I would. I would give anything to give Adrian a piece of my mind. Vadim would come for us. And when he did, I would strike. Vadim has spent his time saving me. It’s time for me to give back. I need to be the Queen and step up to the plate.

“He will come for us and when he does, I’ll take great pleasure in putting a bullet in your head.” I spat.

He chuckled.
Alexei tightened his grip.
He’s warning me.
Bite your tongue.

“Does she know?” Adrian asked Alexei.

Know what?
What now?

“Don’t, Adrian.” Alexei hissed.

“Poor little Jules. I bet they haven’t told you the truth about Luciano.”

“Adrian, I’m begging you. Please, she doesn’t need to know.”

Adrian shook his head and laughed again. “Do you know who Luciano was to you, Jules?”

“He was my friend.”

Adrian smirked. “Try brother. Luciano tried so hard to keep you safe, but in the end, he failed. They all failed you.”

I peered up at Alexei with tears running down my face. There’s no way Luciano was my brother, right? Alexei’s face told me everything. All he could do is bow his and whisper a hushed apology.

“You see, they’ve betrayed you. Come to our side, Jules. If you agree, I’ll make sure you never have to suffer again. You will be my Queen and I’ll keep you safe. What do you say, baby girl?”

“Don’t call me that.”

“What’s it going to be? You can choose our side and live, or you can choose to stay where you’re at and die like the rest of them will.”

I had a choice to make.
Them or Vadim and Alexei.
Go with the Devil or stay with my dark Princes.
Oh hell, who am I kidding?
All of them are Devils.
Only difference is, Alexei and Vadim have a soft spot for their Angel.
Adrian and Yuri?
Devil incarnates.

I kissed Alexei and whispered in his ear. “I love you.”

“Baby girl, no!”

Time for the Queen to take her place.
I had to do this to keep my baby safe.
Keep Alexei and myself alive.
Maybe if Adrian and Yuri were focused on Vadim, maybe I could get Alexei and me out of here. Back home where we belonged. In the arms of Vadim.

I kissed Alexei one more time before standing up. I took a deep breath and whispered. “Ok, I’ll join you, but only if you promise to tell me more about my brother.”

“Jules, no! Please, don’t do this. He’s lying.” Alexei begged.

I turned to face Alexei and swallowed hard. I mouthed. “Play along.”

He got the message loud and clear.

“Baby girl, don’t leave me.” Alexei begged, tears falling down his face.

“I’m sorry, but I have to do this.”

This was going to be the hardest part. I would have to follow the Devil and leave a piece of my heart behind. But only for a little bit. I would be back to reclaim it. But that’s not today. No. Today, I would have to become a fallen Angel and go down a dark path. This would either be the rise of the new Queen or the destruction that claimed my life. Either way, I would fight until my last breath.

If it came to that…

I’m sorry, Alexei and Vadim.
I’m doing this for us.
For the baby.
To keep us alive.
I just hope you can forgive me for what I’m about to do.

Vadim and Alexei saved me.
Now… it’s time for me to be the hero for once.
I’ll save them both.
And after… Cinderella will get her happily ever after with her two dark Princes.

“You’ve made the right choice, Jules. Come, my Queen. Let’s get you cleaned up.” Adrian says, hold out his hand for me to take.

I held the tears back and glanced back to Alexei one last time before I took Adrian’s hand. I felt sick, but I pushed the urge to throw up. I had to do this. For me. Vadim and Alexei. More importantly, my baby. Whoever the father was.

On the inside, I was broken. Just a shattered gem. Adrian led me to a room and reached up to tuck a strand of my hair behind my ear. “Until we can trust you, I have to keep you locked up in this room. You understand, yes?”

“Yes, I understand.” I whispered.

“Good girl.”

That made me sick.
Only Vadim and Alexei could call me that.
But still, I held my tongue.
I had to convince Yuri and Adrian I was on their side.
I wasn’t.
That would be the ultimate betrayal.

“The Queen has risen. She will rise and take her rightful place with her Kings. And It’s not Adrian. Nor is it Yuri. My heart only belonged to Vadim and Alexei.”

I faked a stumble and held my stomach. Adrian caught me and helped me to the bed. “Are you okay, my Queen?”

“I’m… hungry.”

“Lie down and rest. I’ll get you some food.” Adrian told me.

I nodded weakly.

Little did he know, it was only because I wanted to scope out the room. Not because I was a weak, pregnant woman.

I scanned the room and frowned. It seems like they’ve already removed all possible weapons. It’s just bare. I looked under the bed and felt underneath it. I smiled as spotted a dagger at the back. I’ll just leave it there and get it when I have more time. At least I know there’s a weapon if I need it. I pushed it to the back as far as it would go. Quickly, I got onto the bed and put one hand on my belly and one over my forehead. I needed them to think I was weak.

I closed my eyes and let sleep take over me. When I woke back up, I sat up and glanced at the nightstand. A tray with a plastic wrapped sandwich and a small bag of potato chips was waiting for me. There was also a can of Sprite. I rubbed my belly and whispered. “We’re going to be okay, little one. I’ll get us out of here. All of us.”

At least I know the food is safe. It’s definitely bought from a store. I just wish I knew where I was. Maybe in time, I can earn their trust and find out. But for now, I need to feed my baby.

The question that burned in my head was…
Was Adrian really that stupid?
Did he think I was going to be his Queen?

I laughed.
He must be the biggest idiot in the world.