Page 36 of Savage Little War

“I guess we don’t have the element of surprise anymore,” I say as I scan the square, uneasy about standing out here where anyone could spot us.

The crowd gives us some cover and safety, but these guys might be crazy enough to fire anyway.

“How about we get a suite in one of the fancy hotels?” Sean suggests. “Someone here has to have a fake ID with a different name that they can check in with. It’ll be hard for Ferro’s men to breach and attack a busy hotel.”

No one argues.

“I’ve got an ID with a different name,” Leo speaks up from a nearby table. He walks over and shows me. “I had to have some documents made for a fake persona when I went down to Mexico.”

“Works for me,” I tell him. “Luca, which one should we stay at?”

“How about that one?” Luca suggests as he points to a three-story, off-white building with tall windows and balconies on the other side of the square.

“We’ll filter in slowly. Just walk through. Act like you’re already guests,” I say as more people in our group gravitate toward us. “Leo, go ahead and grab as many suites as there are available. At least three if possible.”

Leo nods and sets off.

After fifteen minutes, he sends me a text.

Suites 304, 305, and 306

“Let’s go,” I say, heading to the hotel.

We go inside, walking straight to the elevator to go up to the top floor where the suites are located. Our guards split into two suites, while Sean, Andrei, Luca, Cara, and I take the suite in the middle.

“Let’s rest for a minute. Then, we can come up with a plan,” Luca says before flopping down on a nearby couch.

Sean heads to the restroom to clean up, while Andrei goes over to the balcony doors to peek out at the town.

I look over at Cara, who seems deep in thought. We haven’t had a moment alone all day. “Come here.”

I lead her into one of the bedrooms and shut the double doors behind us. “Are you okay?”

Cara suddenly rushes forward and throws her arms around me.

“I could’ve lost you out there. Again!”

I frown at the concern in her voice. My fingers gently brush through her hair as I hold her close. “I’m okay. Just took a longer route.”

Cara squeezes me tighter, shuddering a little.

Unease has me cupping her face, lifting her eyes to mine. “What’s the matter, milaya? Talk to me.”

Cara breathes in shakily, a slight sheen filling her eyes. “You have to be more careful!”

“I’ll try,” I agree with a quiet nod.

“No, Dmitri! You have to be okay because our son or daughter deserves to know their father.”

At first, all I can do is stare at her in confusion, wondering if she’s being serious or just wistful. But the longer I look at her, the more I realize just how worried and serious she looks. And then it hits me.

“Cara, are you pregnant?” I ask her, the words knocking the air from my lungs.

She chews on her bottom lip for a second before nodding. “Yes. I’m pretty sure.”

As if I wasn’t already having trouble breathing. My eyes widen in shock as her words hit me like a train that I didn’t see coming.

Holy shit.