Page 44 of The Bratva's Forced Bride

“Sorry, it’s been a busy, chaotic day. Do you still have someone who wants to sell an original Salvador Dali?” I cut straight to the chase.

“Yes, they’ll arrange to meet you through me, and you can go see the piece for yourself and authenticate it. Are you happy with that?” she asks.

“Yes, that’s fine. I have to go now, but stay in touch.” I hang up as someone knocks at the door. “Come in.”

It’s Leanne carrying a massive vase of Lillies. “Those are gorgeous. Who are they for?”

“They’re for you, of course. There’s a card on the side,” she says as she sets them down on a side table. My favorite flowers are lilies. I pick up the card as Leanne leaves, and I read it.

Saturday night, a date just for you and me.

No arguments

Love Danil

I smile to myself. He’s spoiling me again. Foot rubs, back rubs, hot baths, intimate moments, and now this. A date. What if I give him a chance?

I give myself a mental shake. My pregnancy hormones are messing me up. It’s hormones.

I grab my bag and tuck the card into it. I take out the pregnancy test and hold it for a moment before I toss it in the trash. I walk out the door and to the front. “Leanne?” I call.

She comes scurrying out of one of the adjoining halls. “Yes, Asher?”

“I have a doctor's appointment, I forgot to mention. I won’t be back afterward. Will you hand over to the night shift, please?” I ask.

She smiles broadly. “Of course, it’s no problem at all.”

“Thank you.” I leave through the front door and head straight for my car. I feel like I’m being watched. It’s the creepiest feeling in the world. Still, I drive to the maternity clinic and go in. I fill in the paperwork and sit in the waiting room—just waiting. That’s what kills me—just sitting there as time passes by when I could be doing something productive like being at work. Instead, I’m growing the future of money laundering and who knows what else.

“Miss Lawson?” the nurse calls. I wasn’t going to use my married name. I didn’t want it to get out there and reach Danil. I go into a room, get changed, and onto the bed. I see the stirrups and place my feet in them, waiting awkwardly.

The examination is uncomfortable, but once they’re done, they give me a printout of this tiny seed of a baby in my uterus. It’s my seed. No one else's. Just mine.

I feel a strong sense to protect it.

I slip the scan into the back of my purse and focus on the now. I drive to Penny’s house, and as I walk in, she’s coming downstairs in a beautiful gown, Samuel on her hip.

“There’s Auntie Asher,” she coos.

Samuel giggles and reaches for me immediately. I pick him up and cradle him on my hip. “Hello, my big boy.”

Kervyn comes downstairs. “We need to leave to pick up Mama along the way. Hi, Asher.”

“Hi, Kervyn. You guys go, I’ve got this.” Penny and I touch our cheeks together and air kiss. Kervyn leans down and kisses Samuel’s head.

I watch them leave and then look around the house. They’ve just installed lush carpets so Samuel doesn’t get hurt when he learns to crawl. Everywhere I look that should have a sharp edge, there is baby-proofing. Foam is on the corners, and locks are on the cabinets. I walk through the house, and every room caters to Samuel in some way, even Kervyn’s office, where there are baby blankets and a camper cot.

This is wholly juxtaposed with Danil’s house. His house. Everything in his house is dark and hard. Hard wooden floors, sharp shelves, bookcases, and knives within reach on the kitchen counter. There’s nothing soft about Danil’s home, except perhaps Danil… sometimes. He can also have a rough exterior. He isn’t a wholesome father like Kervyn is. Danil doesn’t even want children. Kervyn wanted an heir and child. He has altered his entire life for Samuel.

I take my godson to his play mat in the living room and lay him on his back. Samuel is so loved and this house is so warm and inviting, and Penny has made it her home.

I don’t feel like I can do that at Danil’s house. It will never be my home, and I cannot raise a child in a forced marriage.

I push the thoughts out of my mind for the rest of the evening and focus on little Samuel. We play. He eats like a champion, and then I change him and tuck him in for the night. I watch TV with the baby monitor close by at all times as I wait for my friends to come home.

When they do, Penny looks exhausted, and I smile. “Fun night?”

“Very. Was he good?” she asks, kicking off her heels.

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