Page 24 of The Pakhan’s Hidden Heir

But he didn’t really answer my question about whether it was related to him.

That only makes my anxious tension worse. Is he hiding something from me?

I grew up without a single person to keep me safe.

My grandmother loved me, but she was old and sick, and I spent most of my life being the one who did the protecting.

To sit across from a man who moves guards and money just so I won’t have to feel afraid is conflicting.

I want to believe this is how someone is supposed to feel, but having never felt it I’m confused.

I lean into him, feeling safe and warm, ignoring the red flags. He wants me safe, so I’m safe.

The rest isn’t actually important at all.

It doesn’t matter what he does for work, as long as I’m provided for, which he’s done very well.

“There’s one more thing,” I say, deciding one anxiety is enough. I have to tackle this bill-collector thing so at least that much can be answered for and Lada can stop obsessing. “It’s been two weeks, and I’ve got bills to pay. I need to access the money you sent, so I can handle the collectors before they come looking for me. They’re relentless, and they’re going to start sending me paperwork to sue…” Chewing my lower lip, my eyes meet his and a flicker of a smile dances across his face.

“They won’t come looking for you.”

“You don’t know these people. They⁠—”

“They won’t,” he says again, gently, “because there’s nothing left to look for. Your debt is paid, Raina. All of it. It was settled last week.”

My jaw drops as I feel my face screw up in confusion. “Settled?”

“Every account has been paid in full. Your grandmother’s medical debt is cleared.” He pats my knee, but my eyes track that movement and stare blankly in shock. “You don’t owe those people anything anymore.”

The words take a moment to sink in, and when they do my throat goes tight. “That’s—” I have to stop and start again. “Bastian, that’s so much money. Take it out of what you’re paying me. I don’t want to owe you, I don’t want it hanging over⁠—”

“Raina, it’s honestly nothing, pocket change to me.” I’m sure he doesn’t mean to cut me off, and his hand squeezes my knee. “You’re planning to carry my child. You’re giving me the one thing I can’t buy any other way. “A few old bills against that is nothing. The debt is cleared, Raina. No obligation. I want you thinking about the baby now, and nothing else.”

I don’t have words for what that does to my heart.

I’ve spent my whole life worrying about money and how I would pay for things.

His gift is so overwhelming it brings tears to my eyes, which I swipe away.

Why would he do this?

“Thank you,” I manage, looking up into his warm brown eyes. I feel such comfort and peace it chases away everything else I was feeling before. This man cares enough to relieve my worst fears. I can’t believe this.

“Have dinner with me tonight,” Bastian says. “We can celebrate your small freedom. What do you think?”

He wants to have dinner with me?

Like actually sit down and dine, talk to me, probably drink some wine and…

“Yes,” I say, before I can think better of it. “I’d like that very much.”

And now I can’t wait either.

Bastian Dravenko is a kind, warm hearted man who has shown me more compassion and care than I’ve ever felt. Of course I’ll have dinner with him.

I’ll need to call the seamstress to make sure I have an appropriate dress. It will be a good night.

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