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“A little.” I have to play it casual. Even as I make my plans, though, my heart feels as if it’s been torn to pieces.
I thought he loved me, not just the idea of me.
I thought he cared for me, but it turns out I was wrong all along. He wanted a wife to fill a role and have his baby, and I was the most expedient choice.
I feel soused.
What will he do with me when I no longer suit his purpose?
When we open the door, I’m faced with a wall of stern, intimidating men that are all very familiar.
“Why hello, boys,” I say, barely tempering an eye roll. I can barely breathe for the phalanx of men standing in my way. “We’re going to get some lunch.Lunch,as in that meal between breakfast and dinner. You really don’t need to follow me.”
“We absolutely do,” Lev says, his arms crossed on his chest. “Rules.”
Right.
“First,” Ekaterina says, reaching for my arm and walking down the carpeted corridor with me, pretending like I’m not surrounded by a human forcefield. “We have to get some food in you and take care of that baby, don’t we?” She winks. I feel nauseous. Am I only a baby mama to all of them? “Then I have something to show you.”
Interesting.
As I step down the hall, I’m flanked on both sides by the guys. They walk as one, their steps synced. I notice Lev carries a weapon and his mother doesn’t even say anything. How strange. This is just normal for her, then.
There’s a small commotion outside the window. I’m reminded of our wedding day.
Our wedding day.
A pang hits my heart.He didn’t mean it.
As I walk, his brothers are an impenetrable wall. Even though they’re here to supposedly protect me there’s no wayI’llbe able to find a way out. But if I could get onto one of their computers,I could maybe bypass security…I’d need to do it in a way that Aleks doesn’t realize.
I barely pay attention to what we’re eating. The food is tasteless, even though Ekaterina has done her best to get me everything I like. I’m thankful and tell her as much but my appetite is gone. Thankfully most people understand this about a pregnant woman.
“Got a call from Mikhail,” Lev says. Everyone looks his way. I try to pretend my heart isn’t hammering out of my chest.
“He’s got some connections, it seems.” He looks at me. “He’ll be home soon.”
“Thank you. I knew he would.”
I did, to be honest. Because whether I want to admit it or not, Mikhail isn’t exactly one to let his hands be tied – no,he’sthe one that does any tying.
Lev speaks to Nikko in a low voice. They speak in Russian, but surprise, boys – I understand a bit of Russian now.
They’re talking aboutme.
I put down the remains of my sandwich and gingerly wipe my fingers on a paper towel. It’s hard to participate in one conversation while listening in on another, but I manage to do it. It helps that Polina is currently more concerned with telling me about the cute doctor with dimples on rotation who likes to wink at the nurses, while I’m listening to Lev talk to Kolya.
“Teper', kogda on zhenat, on neprikasaemyy.”
Now that he’s married, he’s untouchable.
Kolya nods.
“No rebenok prinosit bolshe bezopasnosti.”
But the baby brings more security.
They only solidify my greatest fear – I’m an object to be used, and my baby will be their prized possession.
