Page 26 of Pregnant Bratva Virgin

“My guess is she can’t afford it, but I did some digging and found out she got promoted inhouse.”

“Right. That would explain why she interviewed me,” I retort tersely, but underneath my annoyance I’m glad she did. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Correct.”

I’m surprised by her struggles and want to know more, but I’m getting a solid picture of what’s making her tick. “Anything else?” I inquire, thirsting for more intimate details about the woman who’s been successful in getting under my skin.

“Yes. And it’s big.”

“Fucking tell me. A lover?”

Viktor chuckles darkly, lighting up his cigarette. “Apparently.”

“What?” I snap, not expecting his backhanded quip.

“Easy. She visited the clinic.”

“What clinic?” I snap again, wanting him to get to the point before I strangle him under the moonlight.

“The clinic where they have babies. You know, women’s stuff. The maternity clinic. I’ve got a copy of the information for you. I pulled a few strings to get it.”

Viktor smiles, picking up papers from the pylon he left them on as my heart smashes against my rib cage. “What the fuck?” I hiss as he hands over the report, the thought of Emily carrying someone else’s baby a real problem for me.

I step forward, the lack of light a problem for me as I use the back of my cellphone to take a closer look at it. I get past all the medical lingo, finding out what I want to know.

“Yeah. See it?”

I raise my head, the papers shaking in my head. “Yeah, I see it. She’s six weeks pregnant.” The words form in a perfect run as I think back to our night in the Hampton Suites. It would make sense that it was me. That I’m the father to her kid. I didn’t use protection. Being inside Emily raw was too good for that—addictive and hard to pull out of.

A languid smile replaces my disinterest.Oh, Ms. Wilson. You will have to grant me immunity. Forever. And I’ve got you trapped….

“You know what, Viktor. This night has just turned into the most magnificent storm.”

We both laugh together, finishing off our cigars.

Chapter Fifteen - Emily

Going to the clinic the other day and making sure the baby’s doing okay has eased a little of the pressure on my brain. I’m going to have to work out coping mechanisms to deal with my fears and phobias about Ryurik finding out because I’m already attached to the baby, even if it’s only been incubating in my stomach for less than seven weeks.

Walking to my car, tired but happy I’ve finished for evening, I’m beat and ready for the longest, hottest shower there is. We’re no closer to getting a read on Ryurik, but now I’ve got a sense of his street operations and the blocks he covers. It’s a tough situation in our department because for too long a blind eye has been turned, a power vacuum formed between the corrupt and the just to keep the people of Chicago safe.

This is why I wanted to be a detective and not a normal cop in the city. It would be too heart-wrenching to deal with all the shootings, the carjackings, and the robberies, but being in the organized crime unit is giving me an insight into why it might be a worse department to be in.

Bringing my keys out, I’m met by Jeff again. I smile as he steps in stride with me to the car, a slightly sheepish expression on his handsome face. He’s cute. In the right way. Very bashful. And he’s not a hard guy to like. “Hey, there you are. Lost in those thoughts again,” he starts out.

“Yeah, that’s me. Lost in them deep today,” I admit, wishing things were simple.

“How about sharing them with me over the weekend sometime maybe?” he counters, his innocent request melting my heart. He’s a shy guy. Aw, but the issue is another man is lurking in the back of my brain, rent free.

I start to talk, thinking it might be a smart idea to go out with Jeff. At a bare minimum it might start to give me the distance I need to sort through what to do about Ryurik.

A whoosh comes from the side of me, giving me no time to respond, a harsh voice ringing out and responding on my behalf. “No. She’s not free on the weekend. She’s already got plans. Back off!” Ryurik commands in rough possession, my mouth dropping open as I watch Jeff’s reaction.

“Are you okay, Emily?” Jeff asks calmly, his hand sticking into his pants pocket, the situation approaching becoming volatile. What the fuck is he doing apprehending me in the Chicago Police Department parking lot? He doesn’t have anyone else with him, and he’s snatching me up in front of my work colleague! He is nuts, and all my senses are rocking, but I keep my smile even and cool as Ryurik glares at me, shifting his large bulk between Jeff and me.

“Hey, Jeff. It’s fine. Maybe some other weekend.” Jeff squints at Ryurik who has a navy-blue baseball cap hanging low over his eyes. At least he has enough sense to not come out without a partial disguise. I wait for the penny to drop with Jeff. The stalemate is incredibly unnerving, my heart leaping into my throat.

“Okay. See you tomorrow, Emily. You’ve got my number,” he adds, squinting at Ryurik, and it’s only seconds before he realizes who the guy is.Please don’t look harder, Jeff. Just go.You don’t want to involve yourself in this mess.Telepathically, I load the message to him, hoping he gets it, and slowly I watch him glide over to his car and get in as Ryurik’s hand grips around my bicep like a boa constrictor.

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