Page 21 of Pregnant Bratva Virgin

“Oh, you look wonderful, Emily! That color suits you down to the ground.”

“Thank you. And you too.”

“Oh. Thank you, but I’m not too fussed about this cream thing. I just care about raising as much money as I can for these kids.”

Touching her arm, I nod. “Me too. It’s going to be a wonderful night. The table arrangements are amazing, and the flowers? They turned out so well. Wow!”

“Yes.” Ms. Jenkins looks up, pointing to the chandelier. “I’m glad you could be on the committee this year. We got ourselves a very fancy space, and the Hyatt is fantastic. We have the mayor, some of the city’s biggest celebrities, lawyers, doctors, and very wealthy businessmen coming through. Now, normally I’m a humble woman, but I want them to empty their pockets tonight.”

We laugh together, clasping hands, and I feel the stress about the big night starting to ease. “Me too. Let’s beat that target from last year.”

“Yes. Let’s knock it right out of Lincoln Park.” We finish up all the last-minute arrangements and soon the ballroom goes from being an empty, classy showroom of dining tables and a stage to filling up with elegant, high-society Chicago citizens, and everyone is at their posts doing their jobs with ease.

Good.It has to be enough that one thing is going right in my life. And as the guests fill in around the ballroom with a lovely band playing on stage and the waiters buzzing around with complimentary drinks and cocktails, I’m escorted by Ms. Jenkins to a guest.

“Ooh, dear, do come with me. I want to introduce you to a very important person to the event.” I pivot with sparkling water in hand, sad that I can’t enjoy champagne, but given the news I’ve just uncovered, I can’t risk it.

When I look up into the face of the guest Ms. Jenkins so badly wants me to meet, I want to run. I mean, run as hard and as fast as I can to the exit and never look back. I feel the glass in my hand slide down my fingers, and it’s only by a hair’s breadth that it doesn’t fall right out of my fingers altogether.

Ryurik is standing in front of me, looking as criminally handsome as ever in a well-hung tux that looks as if it’s been carved to fit his muscular template in exactness. His thick hair is kempt for the event, washed and tamed in a smooth wave, letting his green eyes take the shine from his clean-shaven face.

“Ms. Jenkins, it’s nice to put a face to the name. We’ve spoken many times over the phone. You’ve done a fantastic job here. It looks like the stage is set for a spectacular night,” Ryurik praises in a tone as creamy sweet as butterscotch.

I’m not one to be intimidated, but my fancy panties underneath my wraparound dress are tied up in a bunch, and the only way they’re going to unknot is if I remove myself from Ryurik’s presence—the man who is the father of the growing child in my belly. And why is he pouring on this charm again? It’s the same characteristic that got my panties to drop after the club.

There’s a flush of heat flooding my face, and I hope the makeup’s enough to cover it up, but probably not. “Yes. I agree.Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to attend. It’s much appreciated. As much as I want to take all the credit for organizing, I can’t. Emily here, has been an integral part of the planning committee as well.”

Fuck.Why did you have to mention me? Standing straighter, I put on my mask, holding out my hand as if I’ve just met Ryurik, but I plan on finding out what his game is real soon.

“Ah, Ms. Wilson. Nice to see you again.” Ryurik surprises me by grabbing my hand, electricity buzzing in it as his mouth touches down on the back of my hand. Jarred from it, I pick up my slack jaw and snatch my hand back.

Ms. Jenkin’s eyes shoot upwards. “Ah, you two know each other?” she asks inquisitively.

“Yes—” Ryurik starts.

“No,” I slam down, our eyes meeting in fire. Ms. Jenkins face reads confusion as I chuckle nervously. “Working in the police department, I’m sure many people know who I am,” I reply with passive aggressiveness. I’m not about to let this hunk of a bastard ruin the night that I’ve worked so hard to put together.

“I’m sure, Emily,” Ms. Jenkins remarks as Ryurik’s green eyes shine with contempt. I think I’ve made my point clear. “It’s quite incredible really, Mr. Utkin has given us the biggest donation of the night already. He called it in.” She cups her hand with a joyful smile on her face as Ryurik drops one hand in his pocket with a smirk.

What the fuck is going on? My throat tightens, but I get the words out. “Can I ask what the donation amount was?”

Ms. Jenkins smiles broadly. “I’m more than happy to toot the horn for Ryurik. May I?”

Ryurik gestures with one hand, the firepit growing inside me. I have the insane urge to smack the smirk right off his face, but keep my hand intact and holding on to my drink.

“Go on. Please. It’s not anonymous.”

“Mr. Utkin has donated a cool eight million to the foundation, and it’s going to help us exponentially. We can really make a difference, and it pretty much blows our organizational goals out of the window for the year.”

“Wow.” Taken aback I expel a slow breath. “That’s a lot of money.”

“Yes. Yes, it is. If you two don’t mind I have to head to the stage, I’ve got a quick run through to do backstage. Emily, I’ll see you back there shortly, yes?” Ms. Jenkins requests sweetly as I process what just happened.

“Ah yeah, sure. I’ll be back there soon.” I wait until she’s completely out of earshot, looking at Ryurik in shock. “Why?” I rush out. “What do you have to prove? Did you know I was going to be here?” I ask, perplexed by his appearance given what he is.

Ryurik smiles, not a smirk, but a touching one that’s making me uncomfortable. “Because the Bratva often makes regular donations. It’s part of our culture, and I’ve been donating to Golden Hearts for years anonymously, just this year I chose to be okay with it being public.”

Fuming and wanting to ignore his compassionate response, I hand my glass back to one of the waiters as they pass by. “No doubt you’re trying to appease the public and me by showing that you’re a good man, huh?”

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