Page 54 of Brutal Promise

He hands me the dress to hang up and disappears. I place the dress in the closet and leave it swaying on a hanger before tossing a t-shirt on and shimming into my jeans. Should I wear flats or sneakers to walk in a garden? I decide on my new sneakers, in case we walk on the grass.

I look for Dmitry and find him in the kitchen on the phone. My black notebook on the counter catches my eye. That’s weird. It wasn’t there earlier this morning. I proclaim him a magician with a proclivity for sexual tricks. As long as he’s only having sex with me, I’m fine with doing it multiple times a day. I feel a slickness between my legs whenever I’m around him or thinking about him. Everything about Dmitry fills me with desire.

Then it hits me. My birth control isn’t here. I want to ask him about it, but he’s still on his phone, speaking in Russian. He sounds annoyed, so maybe this is not the time to ask.

Shit. I slip into the bedroom and call Alena.

“Izzy, how are you?”

“Okay, I guess. Um, is there any reason why Dmitry would want a kid?”

She laughs. “What are you talking about?”

“He didn’t bring me my birth control pills like I wanted. I’m curious why he would risk getting me pregnant.”

“Shit. This is newsworthy. Normally, bratva men only want kids to continue the bloodline.”

“So, I’m a bitch in heat?” I bemoan my worst nightmare.

“Well, that’s a way to label it. I seriously doubt he views you as a dog, Izzy. I think he’s into you, and it’s romantic.”

“I’m too young for kids.”

I sit on the bed. Damn him for making me want him. Now I need to start keeping my legs crossed.

“That’s what everyone says, and then they end up forty years old and hiring a surrogate to carry their baby.”

“I don’t have to wait that long. This is not a real marriage, and I’m not having kids with him.”

“Bratva men get what they want. Why do you think they give us everything we desire? It’s the buy-in to be with them. We’re bought and paid for, Izzy. We have very little free will. If he wants a kid, he’ll have one. But wow. I did not see this coming.”

“Right?” I sulk.

The sex is exceptionally hot. Maybe the added risk of pregnancy gives it an element of danger. Or the fact Dmitry screams danger, I’m not sure. I decide I’ll make him pay for this. Ideas run through my head. I could tell the pharmacy I lost my pills and have them deliver a new pack, but our location is a secret. Can I risk it? He’d be so pissed if I disobey him.

“What’s happening with you? I’m sorry I’ve been out of touch lately. Dmitry keeps me busy.”

“I can only imagine. Is it really hot? I mean, hot enough to steam the wallpaper off the bedroom walls? I imagine with his wild hair and the brooding eyes, he’s got a hint at some level of kink.”

“Maybe.” What is she talking about? Kink? Oh, lordy, there are no butt plugs in my future. Pinning my wrists and arms was intense. Making me wait before he satisfied my lust was very hot. “I’m so screwed. I can’t deny him anything, Alena,” I whisper into the phone as something occurs to me.

Do I love him?The thought of having his baby is romantic, and there is a tingle between my legs at the thought of a mini-me running around. If he wants to be bound to me by blood, he must care for me.

“What’s up with you and Kirill?” I decide to change the conversation back to her. I’m in over my head with this man.

“He’s working. I’m sitting here buying things online and charging it to my daddy’s credit card.”

“Any idea who he’s going to have you marry?”

“Jury is out on that. I’m getting bored. I can’t go to many places. I mean, Daddy has to understand these thugs are after you, not me. However, he’s being very adamant about where I go. I can’t wait for this to be over.”

“I imagine when we leave for London, these nameless, faceless men will realize I’m gone and give up. Then things will return to normal,” I add optimistically.

Dmitry has altered my life forever. I doubt anything will ever be normal again. Whether it’s necessary or not, I’m stuck with him.

“I’m going to miss you when you’re off having a European adventure.”

“It won’t be much of a vacation. I’m getting married and meeting his family. What if they don’t like me?”

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