Page 39 of Pregnant By the Mafia Boss

Ruslan laughs, nodding his head. “Let’s go. I have a few places lined up for you, and my black card’s waiting.”

“Are you going to leave me in suspense? What stores are you taking me to?” I ask brightly, feeling more optimistic about things between us.

“Let’s just say these stores are in on the Gold Coast.”

Gasping, a heart-warmed smile lifts to my face, because if Sophia and Rachael knew I was shopping in Chicago’s Gold Coast strip they would lose their minds—first with envy, and then they’d want to join me.

Ruslan approves of my enthusiasm, and boy am I glad he came back from lunch early.

“Wow. They have one-of-a-kind boutiques down there.” I swoon, thinking about the clothes I’ve always seen on mannequins there, wanting them for myself.

“That’s right. They do, and besides,” Ruslan remarks smoothly, running a hand down my arm, “I want to show you that being Mrs. Utkin means you want for nothing, and this way of living isn’t all bad.

“Thank you.” Ruslan holds out his hand and for a second, I falter, but holding his hand and being beside him is something I’m going to have to get used to. I’m the future Mrs. Utkin.

We reach the luxury high end of Chicago soon enough—Oak Street, the tree-lined strip already speaking its own language to me. All eyes are on Ruslan and me, as I hook my arm underneath his, sunglasses dropping from women in all directions, and men paying their respects via head nod. Instantly, I feel important. Once again Ruslan proves to me that he has social status in Chicago. Maybe I can get used to mob living after all. Feeling a little undressed in my casual tee and jeans compared to the sophisticated, well-presented women of the strip, I find when Ruslan guides me into the first boutique, he checks his watch.

“Right on time,” he says with a smile that indicates he’s holding a secret.

“On time for what?”

“Oh, it’s her, she’s here. Welcome, gorgeous woman! Oh, it’s so good to meet the future Mrs. Utkin. We’ve been waiting for you to arrive. I’m Terrence, and I’m here to assist you with any sizes or clothing you might like this morning. We have two floors exclusively available to you for however long you want. Can we get you a beverage to start?” asks a young, exquisitely dressed man, startling me. He’s in his mid-twenties, his slickedplatinum blond hair suiting him, along with another woman. Shocked, I frown as Ruslan nods. I’m not used to this type of treatment.

“Sure. Orange juice would be good,” I tell him, feeling overwhelmed as Ruslan’s eyes follow my reaction.This can’t be real. Maybe he’s just putting on a show for my sake. He probably knows the sales assistant.

“On the way. And for you, Mr. Utkin?”

“Sparkling water is fine, just whatever she wants.”

“Okay, coming right up. Feel free to take a look around, and I’ll start hanging things in the fitting rooms for you.”

All I see when I look around are iconic dresses with stunning designs and prints. Some of the collections are fresh from the runway and haven’t been seen by the public. Wool cashmere jackets, pretty floral dresses perfect for the day. Glam beaded and embellished evening gowns that I have no idea when or where I’ll wear them. Gold cuffs, and sophisticated earrings that sparkles so bright; it’s hard to ignore. I want pretty much everything in the store I touch. I pick up the sky blue, long crepe dress and study the price tag. Wow, it’s over three thousand dollars for a dress, but as I feel the fabric, I understand why. Smoothing down the dress, the sales assistant fawns over me as Ruslan’s predatory eyes compound the lust emanating from his soul.

I think he approves.I smile to myself as I enter back into the dressing room, having pulled so many things from various racks to try on. If the store has been shut just for me, I might as well play fun dress-ups until I want to leave.

“God, I wish I could I buy everything in here,” I whisper under my breath, but Ruslan’s standing right outside, hearing me.

“Do it.”

Shaking my head, I smirk to myself. Who is he kidding? I’m going to drain his money and rack up all these dresses and accessories. Let’s see how far I can take it. I can’t buy everything in the store.Sometimes, Mr. Utkin, you can be too arrogant and need to be brought down a peg.I can only imagine the embarrassment on his face when he sees the bill.

But after the first hour of swanning around in outfits, and enjoying snacks and laughs with the attentive staff, my total at the register racks up to more than twenty thousand dollars. I expect Ruslan to eat his words, but he kisses my cheek rubbing my back.

“Is this all? Didn’t you want that sexy sequined emerald dress? It matches your eyes and would be a nice outfit for the Chicago benefit event I’m hosting later in the year. It’s a few months after the birth of our child, but I think you should get it anyway.” He smiles, panic rising within.

Once again, Ruslan upends my plans. “Umm okay,” I reply meekly as he rushes to grab the dress, and a pair of pretty shoes in my size to go with.

“Wow. You have outdone yourself, Mrs. Utkin. You are going to be the belle of every ball. Thank you so much for shopping with us. Come back anytime.”

I praise the staff, but I can barely breathe, thinking about how much I’ve just spent in the store.

It doesn’t stop there. Ruslan takes me to breakfast, and we fuel up, shopping at a couple of other stores until baby fevercalls, and I see a new baby store that’s opened. I stop looking inside and cooing over all the cute baby clothes.

“Oh, look at this!” I pick up a cute designer T-shirt and the pretty floral dresses for baby girls. “I can’t handle this. There’s too much cute everywhere.”

Ruslan grins, his hands deep in the pockets he’s shelling out from.

“You should buy what you want,” he pushes, but I hesitate.

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