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He bought me. Paid a finder’s fee to Tatiana.
I was set up from the beginning. I think I’m going to be sick.
“Stay here, my love. Don’t move. I know when you look like this, you may be easily made nauseous.”
He knows because he’s been by my side for the past few weeks. He’s taken the very best care of me I could’ve asked for. He knows when I get sick and what helps, how to soothe mymorning sickness. He massages my feet and draws warm baths. He’s been the picture of a doting husband, everything a woman could ask for.
Only…only it isn’t real. I was bought to fill a role.
Hell, I’m filling it now. I’m carrying his baby for him because he needs an heir to the throne.
Do I even mean anything to him?
He bends and kisses my temple. “You work too hard, sweetheart. Take your milkshake and have a little break. You can nap if you’d like.”
Because ofcoursehe’s so perfect he even has an area in his office he’s set up for me to comfortably nap when I need it. I look over at what I call “the nap zone,” a cozy nook with a full-sized chaise lounge, adorned with fluffy pillows and a blanket in warm, neutral tones that’s so soft I swear it’s made of cashmere. It’s even got a shade I can pull for privacy. He keeps bottled water in a mini fridge and an electric kettle on a low table with herbal teas.
He really is perfect, except for thatminordetail that he’s a criminal and ex-con who doesn’t seem to have a moral compass and he just may very well havebought me.
There’s a knock at the door. Mikhail frowns. He was explicit in his instruction that we shouldn’t be interrupted.
“Maybe the milkshake?” I suggest, my voice wavering while I wonder if it could be Aleks. If he comes in here and tattles on me…
I run through possible lies.
I accidentally stumbled on this when trying to do research. No idea how those popped up on the screen but they mean nothing to me.
I was trying to remember a conversation I had about something he researched for baby gear and accidentally scrolled way, way back.
But it’s Chantelle on the other side of the door, her pale face and wide eyes a clue that she knows he’ll be pissed, and she isn’t wrong.
“I told you not to interrupt me unless it was an emergency.”
She swallows. “I’m so sorry, sir. This is an emergency.”
“What is it?” Mikhail’s tone softens the merest fraction.
“Anton’s called and said he’s trying to get in touch with you. He said to check your messages immediately and to call him if you still have time.”
If he still has time?
Mikhail whips his phone out of his pocket and curses.
“Mikhail, what is it?”
“Chantelle, you’re dismissed.” She fairly runs from the thunderous voice and the look in his eyes, though I know it isn’t directed at her.
“Anton’s our informant on the police force, out of Manhattan. They oversee The Cove.”
He shows me his phone. Either he doesn’t remember he has a text on there from Tatiana, or he thinks I won’t understand why it’s there.
Hide. Now. They’re putting you under arrest. I’m on it.
“They’re arresting you? Where can you go?”
But it’s too late. He opens his mouth to tell me when the blaring sound of sirens fills the air.
The building’s surrounded.
