Page 41 of The Arrangement

She gives me a soft, "I see," coupled with a nod that's got more empathy in it than I've seen in a long while. "Judging by the date of your last period and your HCG levels, you’re about four weeks along," she explains.

She instructs me to set up an appointment with my OB/GYN for a full exam the next week, including ultrasound. She hands over a starter kit of prenatal vitamins like I've just won some sort of bizarre lottery and piles on the reading material.

"Congratulations, Tory. Take care of yourself," she says, leaving me to get dressed and step back into my life, which has just taken the most unexpected turn.

Walking out of the doctor's office, the world seems to shift beneath my feet. It's like stepping onto a movie set where I'm the lead in a plot twist I didn't see coming. Craving a moment of solitude, I veer into a nearby coffee shop, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions.

Queuing up for my usual caffeine fix, I halt mid-order. Right, no caffeine when you're playing host to a tiny human. It's a trivial change, but it slams home the reality of my new situation. Opting for a decaf, I find a quiet corner to process the bombshell that's just been dropped into my lap.

The reality of my circumstances starts to really sink in. The father of my child isn't just any guy; he's a Russian mob enforcer/boss-in-training. Our whirlwind romance has been thrilling, sure, but it's also placed me smack dab in the middle of a world I know is fraught with danger. Can he, will he, be able to keep that life away from me...from my child?

And let's not gloss over the fact we've only been dating a month and I got pregnant the very first time we were together. If that's not a story line straight out of a daytime drama, I don't know what is.

This secret, this tiny, life-altering secret, is mine to carry for now. As I sip on my decidedly less-than-thrilling decaf, I can't help but wonder about the future. Maksim and I are in uncharted waters, a place where passion meets reality with a side order of mafia complications.

Keeping this under wraps feels like the only move, at least until I can get my head around it all. The thought of bringing a child into the mix? That's a conversation for another day—a day when I've had more than a few minutes to come to terms with becoming a mom.

Chapter 21

Maksim

The moment I kill the engine of my car, parked in front of my father's mansion, anger courses through me. The thought of having to postpone my evening plans with Tory for some asinine family meeting boils my blood.

It's Aleksey's doing—I'm sure of it. He must've run to our father, spinning tales about our recent confrontation. The notion that I'm being dragged into a parental arbitration at my age is both infuriating and demeaning. As I storm toward the house, the gravity of the situation sits heavily on my shoulders.

Stepping inside, the tension momentarily lifts at the sight of Irina and Adelina, my world, seated at the sprawling dining room table, engrossed in a puzzle. Adelina's eyes light up as she spots me.

"Papa! Come help us with the puzzle," she calls out, her voice a mix of excitement and command that only an eight-year-old can muster.

I smile, despite the storm brewing inside me. "Not right now, precious," I respond, my tone softening. "I need to talk to Dedushka. It's important."

Her face falls for a moment, disappointment fleeting across her features before she nods, understanding more than a child her age should. "Okay, Papa. But come back soon, okay? We need help."

I lean down, pressing a kiss to her forehead, the anger momentarily subsided by her presence. "I promise, Princess. I'll be back before you even notice I'm gone."

As I turn to leave, Adelina's small hand catches mine, her touch gentle yet firm. "Papa, why do you look so upset?" she inquires, her innocence piercing through my carefully maintained facade. Internally, I chastise myself for letting my emotions become so visible, especially around her.

Irina's observant gaze lands on us, a silent witness to this exchange. I should've been more cautious, more controlled.

"Is it because of Uncle Aleksey?" Adelina's question draws me back, her intuition surprising me.

I kneel down to her level, masking my emotions with a practiced ease. "What makes you say that, Princess?" I probe gently.

She shrugs, a small frown marring her brow. "He didn't even stop to say hi to me or Irina."

Her observation hits close to home, highlighting the tension that's been brewing, yet I find myself defending Aleksey, despite my own frustrations. "Uncle Aleksey probably has a lot on his mind, Princess. Important adult stuff, you understand?" I offer her a reassuring smile. "I'm sure he'll make it up to you and say hello before he leaves."

Adelina seems to ponder this for a moment before nodding, accepting my explanation with the trusting innocence only a child could have.

With a final squeeze of Adelina's hand, I promise myself to shield her from these family storms, to keep the innocence in her eyes untainted by my world.

Striding up the grand staircase, a wave of frustration washes over me for letting Adelina see the cracks in my armor. She's too clever for her own good, and it's only a matter of time before she starts connecting the dots about what I do. A silent vow forms in my mind—I'll protect her from it all for as long as I can.

My phone vibrates, a brief distraction from my thoughts. It's Tory. Her text reads, Guess our wild night's canceled? Shame, was looking forward to seeing you try to outdo last time.

I can't help but smirk, typing back quickly, Wild night's just delayed, not canceled. I promise, worth the wait.

Her reply comes with a playful edge, I'll be the judge of that. Here's something to ensure you don't forget me, followed by a picture that ramps up my anticipation—a bold, teasing glimpse of Tory that sends my pulse racing.

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