Page 34 of Pregnant Bratva Virgin

How’s the Bratva case? Jackson’s having a meltdown. Did you get moved?

Yo. You good? I hope you haven’t been shot at. Call me—Brady.

Check in, Wilson. I expect you to do that. I’m going to have to wipe the databases from your phone if you don’t. Jackson.

I hated making the call to him. And there’s a chunk that doesn’t exist in my heart anymore. It’s been broken off, never to return. I could barely hold the phone to my ear I was so upset about it.

“What’s happening?”

“Sorry. I’ve been dealing with some serious issues.”

“Sorry to hear. Anything that might affect you, your safety or the case?”

“Yes and yes. My adopted mother’s in care right now, and I don’t have the headspace to be at work with her so sick. Also, I’m pregnant, and I’ve decided to take a leave of absence for a while.” I coughed. “Immediately.”

A long tense pause hung suspended in the air as Jackson spoke slowly in a type of code I recognized, but I had no way of telling him the truth because the Bratva tapped my phone.

“Okay. Well. That’s a quick turnaround, and if you need some time off it’s your prerogative. I’m going to have to see you in office of course.”

“Sure. I understand, and I’m sorry for letting you down.” I’d folded my bottom lip in, trying not to sob my heart out. Letting go of the job was like a slow ego death, and one I didn’t want.

“Don’t be sorry. You ah—come in and we can talk in person.”

That’s when Ryurik stepped into the room. “Did you resign?”

“Not exactly,” I told him, holding back tears. “I took a leave of absence. It’s going to look better and be a better transition,” I told him.

“You’re ending it. Willy Dee was dirtier and scummier than you can imagine. Sorry to burst your perfect little cop bubble.”

“And you’re going to have to prove it. I don’t believe you! You’ve taken everything from me; what next?” I punched back at him, wanting him to feel guilty for his actions, but given he’s a Bratva man, I didn’t think he would care.

“Listen,” he said carefully. “Fuck Willy Dee. Half the department is on our payroll. This is about us now. I can give you and our child you’re carrying a better life than you can. There’s no point struggling as a single parent.”

“Who said I would be struggling? We could have co-parented just fine,” I flipped back to him, surprised thathe sounded angry at my alternative parenting arrangement suggestion.

A boyish smirk crossed his mouth as we sat out on the patio eating breakfast together overlooking the gardens. From outside appearances, I should have been happy, but to me, I hated being trapped in a gilded cage of horrors and lies.

“I think our current arrangement is working pretty well. We’re adjusting together.”

Recalling the conversation bothers me, but what really stuck in my head, besides the surveillance footage of Willy Dee taking money, was the lack of a phone call from Jeff. Neatly dropping my jeans in the drawer, I question his motives. Why wouldn’t he have reported when he saw me being yanked away by Ryurik?He heard him threaten me!I add a sweater into the drawer, shutting it, thinking about how different my life looks.

Being a part of the Chicago Police Department has been a part of my life for so long, and it’s crazy not to be messing around with Brady and Milton.

I’ve leveled up by marrying Ryurik, of course, and everyday life is easier. I don’t think I’ve scratched the surface of how big the place is. It’s nothing like his bland placeholder apartment in the city.No.This place is decorated with thought, and there’s something interesting to look at on both floors. There’s two guest cabins on the grounds that the security team occupy, and there’s sculptures, and paintings on the walls that spell “expensive.”

This is going to take some getting used to. I want to call my girlfriends so bad. If I can hear their voices, maybe I’ll feel normal and whole again. The door creaks open as I pick out a pair of sneakers to wear around the grounds, just to get some fresh air.

She’s an older woman, time etched on her weathered face, but she’s light on her feet with a sparkle in her eye. She moves quicker than I do, and I wonder how long she’s been working for the Utkins. “Hello, dear. Are you decent?”

“Yes, Olga, I’m good. Come in.”

“Oh good, good. I come bearing a gift for the upcoming evening.” Ryurik and his tricks. I don’t want any special gifts other than to put my old life back together and pretend this didn’t happen, but no such luck.

Olga enters with an Aubree dress that begins purple from the neck down, graduating to blue and then a lovely shade of emerald, green at its floor-length hem. Whatever event Ryurik and I are going to attend is probably high profile. Automatically dry mouth hits.

“Why do I need this dress?”

Olga smiles affectionately, patting my hand. “Don’t be afraid. There’s a gala event Ryurik wants you to attend as husband and wife. He personally picked out the dress for you.” A twinkle dances in her blue eyes as I stare at the dress, baffled by all the fanfare.

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