Page 20 of Pregnant Bratva Virgin

“Yes. But it didn’t work, and Paul Butcher has been working with casinos for a very long time. He’s our ticket.”

“Yeah. He can be.”

“When’s he in town?”

“He’s here already but wanted to touch base. He’s got some meetings set up for this coming week.”

Hesitating, I stare at Viktor for a second. “I hate the alliance he’s a part of. All of them have done time and been arrested. We need to get the lawyers in here to talk about protective clauses.”

“Sure. Sure. We can bring them into the meeting. I hear you, but Paul’s never gone down. He’s a legit business guy. Granted he’s a shark, but so are we. It’s going to be fine.”

“I can hear him out. I want to know what proposal he’s got in mind. The rest of his alliance I want nothing to do with. If he can’t separate the deal from them, then we don’t do it.”

“Agreed.”

“Good. I’ve got a 10:00 a.m. I should head down there now. I’ve got to finish what I started with Jarvis before we were so rudely interrupted by the police.”

“Right. Let’s go.” I couldn’t let a couple of days of extended stay in jail stop me from securing a half-a-million-dollar contract and extra soldiers on the ground for my operation.

“Yeah. Let’s go make some money.”

Chapter Eleven - Emily

I have to keep looking at it because I think if I do, it’s going to go away and become something else, but the pink line is intimidating enough, and the color isn’t changing no matter how long I gaze at it. My hands drop to the sink, the bathroom spinning and turning upside down, my stomach flips right on its head with it.

How could I be so stupid? How could I not make him wear protection? I’d been drinking, but notthatmuch. It’s as if Ryurik made me lose all my bearings.

Fuck up.The definition of my current life. A bunch of things run through my mind. One of them being how I can’t deal with having a kid. I’m not equipped to be a mother. And not with him. Laura’s dying and I have to figure out a way to save her. Touching my stomach, I have to stop myself from heaving up lunch. The other harsh truth is I can’t afford to have a baby. My career’s dead in the water. Willy Dee’s dead, and I’ve been called to investigate the man who I slept with and now I’m having his baby. I’m going to be kicked off the force, and I can’t go through with it.

Staring at myself in the mirror, the A-word runs through my mind as I purse my lips together. It’s the only option I have. No matter how hard it is to deal with. I have to abort the child. I want to wallow in the mess I’ve created, but I don’t have time. My cell phone’s ringing. I run out to it—expecting it to be from work—but keeping an eye on the door. Ryurik busting through has got me wired for another spontaneous visit, but I haven’t so much as heard a peep out of him. If it weren’t for the positive pregnancy test, then the moment would be surreal to me.

I’m relieved to see who the caller is. Picking it up, I have a reason to smile. “Hi, Ms. Jenkins. Is everything okay for tonight?”

“Yes. I wanted to touch base with you. Do you think you can arrive a little earlier, Emily?”

Tonight is a special night. A very important piece of the puzzle of my life. It’s the annual Golden Hearts Fundraiser for Orphans, and it’s one of the city’s most prestigious events. I’ve been a valiant and active volunteer for a long time and helped put together the planning committee for this year. I haven’t been free enough to be a part of it in other years. My heart picks up a little because everything is coming at me hard and fast. I don’t think I can handle it with every other responsibility I have going on, but I’ve got no choice.

“I planned on being early anyway. It’s okay,” I reassure her, wanting everything to go well. It’s nerve-wracking enough as it is. I’m glad to be a part of this event; It’s personal to me. I know firsthand what it’s like to grow up in foster care and the struggles I’ve faced. Tonight, I put aside my detective side and just be Emily Wilson, the girl whose father abandoned her, leaving her to grow up in a flawed system designed for the struggle to continue.

No. Not tonight. These little girls need me, and we are going to raise as much money as possible for them. “Oh good. I know you will be. I’m just a little nervous. We already had to change over one of the microphones as it wasn’t working properly.”

“Oh shoot! Is it resolved now?” I ask.

“Sure is. Luckily Robin has spares on deck at the hall.”

“Great,” I gush out, multitasking and looking around the room for my earrings that will complement my dress. Any smalldetail to keep my mind occupied from the disappointment in myself. Not the child barely growing inside—but me. We were lucky enough to get the Hyatt Ballroom for the event, and every year we start planning at least eleven months ahead of time.

“Okay. I won’t hold you up any longer. I just wanted to go over a few details with you before the event starts.”

“No problem. I understand. See you soon enough, Ms. Jenkins.”

“Bye.” Hanging up the phone, I stuff my own personal problem to the side, running my hands over the electric blue wraparound dress I’ve picked for the night. The material is a little shiny, but I want it to be a happy color for the event. Pulling out my slingback pumps, I guide my eyes between the different selection of shoes, when probably I should go for the flats, but I don’t. I pick out the slingback heels hoping to God, they don’t give me too much trouble.

Once I’m dressed, I put on a cluster of pearl earrings, put on my makeup, and let out the rollers I have in my hair. Once I’m done, I make sure I’ve got all the guest list paperwork, the sponsorship information, the copies of the registration paperwork, the adoption process paperwork, the funding documentation, and last of all, my head. Once I’m ready, I head to my vehicle driving over to the ballroom, and when I see how beautifully and carefully decorated the place is, it almost moves me to tears.

The themed colors are blue, cream, and champagne and the team has done an excellent job with everything. I watch everyone placing the finishing touches on things upfront on the stage and find Ms. Jenkins, who is the president of the planning committee, directing the audiovisual team on stage.

“Yes, we want that spotlight to hit the middle of the stage. Right there. That’s the spot. Thank you, boys.” They give her thethumbs-up as I approach her with warmth. She’s been a foster mother to many in her house and has two adopted children herself. She’s saved and cherished so many souls, and I have the utmost respect for her. She oozes nurture and warmth, and if I didn’t have that in Laura, I would have been proud to have Ms. Jenkins in my life.

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