Page 45 of Pregnant Bratva Virgin

“Bye.” I pull into the parking lot of my gynecologist, a melancholic feeling coming over me. I miss Stacy and Kiara coming over to my apartment and helping themselves to my food and us talking to all hours of the night. I let go of the rentalin Lincoln Park I’d lived in for over four years, and it was a sad moment having to hand the keys back to the real estate agent.

That place had become part of me, and I thought in my old life I was going to stay there until I bought a place. Now, I live in a mansion with all the trimmings on the outskirts of Chicago.

Feeling a little sorry for myself, I step out of the car, heading inside for my appointment. All the girls are lovely there, and it’s a nice experience talking to my doctor. Once again, Ryurik organized for me to have one of the best obstetricians in the country to help me deliver the baby.

“Good morning, Emily. How are you feeling?” Dr. Inger places a supportive hand on my leg as I lay back on her table, ready for the ultrasound gel.

“Worn out. It’s hard to get upstairs and I’m eating everything I can get my hands on. To top it off, I’m not sleeping well, and a little girl is kicking up a storm, wanting to get out of this incubator oven. Other than that, I would say I’m doing well.”

Dr. Inger chuckles with affection, squirting the blue jelly onto my swollen belly. “That’s all pretty normal, but you’re doing a great job, Momma-to-be. Let’s take a look at our little girl, shall we?”

Excitement overrides my confusion about what to do about Ryurik as I watch the black, white, and gray image on the screen, the baby showing up clear as a bell. “Wow. This is unbelievable. She’s gotten so big since the last time I saw you!”

“Yep, she sure has. There are her little fingers right there, and her toes. She’s going to be a long baby. Can you see?” The doctor points to the screen as I marvel at what she’s showing me.

“I see it. I can’t wait for her to get out here to the world.”

“Realistically, you’re far enough along for that to be any day now. She’s sitting low in the belly. It won’t be too much longer. Your due date is in three weeks, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“Excellent. I’ve got your blood test results in as you know, and there’s nothing to worry about. Your iron levels are right where they need to be. Your baby has all their fingers and toes, and the DNA testing came back clear of abnormalities.”

“Such a relief. Thank you, Doctor.” We chat some more about what I can expect, but it’s strange not having Ryurik in the room. Today he couldn’t come because he had to be at several important meetings.

When I kissed him goodbye this morning, I felt relief he couldn’t join me. I wanted to sort out my feelings and what to do with the evidence I have, but at this moment, not being here makes me feel as if part of me is missing.

I’m in deeper with him than I thought….

Wrapping up the appointment, I leave heading for the exit, uneasy with the information I’m holding, a voice tempting me in my head.

All you have to do is walk in there and hand the information over anonymously. Nobody has to know it was you.

Lost in my own world, I miss the man walking my way. We bump shoulders, my head jerking upwards, seeing a face that causes my stomach to burn.

“Jeff, what are you doing here?” I hiss under my breath. Unless he has a wife all of sudden or he’s knocked somebody up, it’s a spooky coincidence.

He rakes his hand through his hair, dressed in casual clothes. Seeing him brings heartache to me. I want to go back to work, but, of course, I can’t.

“Can I, ah… talk to you outside?”

A quick uptick of my pulse gives me all the reasons I need to say no, but even if he is in plainclothes, that doesn’t mean I can ignore an officer of the law. My mouth tightens into a grim line. “Sure. What do you want to talk to me about?” I ask preemptively as we make it to the outside, the overcast Chicago sun cutting through the clouds.

There’s plenty of people in the parking lot, so it makes me feel a little safer. “Sorry, I wanted to wait until we were outside. I’m wanting to talk to you about you leaving the police department.

Feeling squeamish, I exhale deeply. “I wouldn’t worry about it, Jeff. I’ve left and now it’s over. I’ve moved on with my life,” I reply offhandedly, feeling a sense of pressure from him.

“No, Emily,” he presses in an exasperated tone, jumping in my walking path, startling me as I instinctively tighten the grip on my purse handle.

“Jeff.” I glare at him, sidestepping him, but he cuts off my path again. “Get out of the way. I just said to let it go if this is what you want to talk about. Why are you in plainclothes? Day off?”

“Ever the detective.” He grins, the resemblance to Ryurik I noticed at first completely gone. They are not the same people. “No. You’re in plainclothes. I’m asking you adirectquestion.”

“Yes. My day off, and it’s not a coincidence I came to see you. I followed your routine to the hospital. I knew you were coming here today.”

Stopping. I stare hard at Jeff. “Who sent you?” I snap, my eyes darting around the parking lot.

“Whoa, don’t get the wrong idea. I’m on your side. Listen, I know you were forced into marriage with Ryurik and the officers in the department are talking some heavy shit about you. Ryurik’s a Mafia boss. I get it.”

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