Page 89 of Brutal Promise

“You kept this from me?” My voice is high-pitched. I tell myself to be calm for the baby. I figure it will arrive safely within the nine months of our wedding. My mother was Catholic, but we never went to church.

“Yes,” he replies with a deep hiss. “I had to protect you, and I didn’t want to tell you until you had to know.”

“And you pick today for that?” I give him an unquestionable look of surprise and disdain.

“I can’t help the fact it all ran amuck today. The baby, good news. The fact that we know what the others know is good. No?”

“You’re right, but we don’t know why they want you. Oh, by the way, did you notice anyone else in that picture from the school? Anyone look similar to your mother?”

“Not that I’m aware of. I mean, there were many Italian girls there. I never saw any pictures of my mother when she was young. I wonder if my mom and dad knew each other back then. I mean, she was so young to have a kid, y’know?”

He’s pensive for a moment. “You have a good point. It makes sense your mother knew your father, but there’s no trace to whom it might have been.”

We’re quiet for a moment, and I take the opportunity to eat more food.

“Izzy, are you mad at me?”

“For what?” I busy myself with pushing food around my plate before I load my fork again.

“The baby.”

“Mm, the fact you kept my birth control from me and teased me into submission?”

“That.”

“Yes, but I couldn’t help myself. I’m addicted to you. So, here we are. Why were you so intent on having a child?”

“I wanted to make sure you didn’t run from me.” He finally eats some food and sips coffee.

“Where would I go?” I ask.

“You’re tenacious. If you applied yourself to it long enough, you’d find a way.” His matter-of-fact response makes me chuckle.

“Well, I’m preggers, so I guess your plan to keep me worked.”

30

DMITRY

“How do I look?” I’m wearing a beige pantsuit with matching heels. I look in the full-length mirror. I eye my stomach for a presence of a bump. I’m being ridiculous. It’s way too soon for that. I fiddle with the diamond choker Dmitry gave me, and I slip the matching earrings into my ears.

The tattoo on his chest is healed. My heart melts when I glimpse it before he buttons his shirt.

The rehearsal dinner is tonight. It’s only his family, Alena and Kirill.

“You’re the most beautiful woman in the world, Izzy.” He strokes my cheek with the back of his fingers, and my body tingles. I’ve been reading up on pregnancy, and the hormones make many women super horny.

I blush. I’m not used to being called beautiful all the time. Plus, I think he’s biased.

“I hope your mother likes me.”

“I’m sure she will.”

He finishes with his shirt, and I help with his tie. He has a gold bar he adds to hold the collar in place, giving him a polished look. He’s particular about his clothes, and his suits are tailored to fit him to a tee. It probably accounts for his excellent taste in jewelry. I bet he gets it from his mother, and I wonder if our baby will be like him.

I grab my clutch, and we walk down the steps. Erik waits for us, handing us a trench coat. Milan pulls up the car.

“Is it always so methodical?” I send Dmitry a knowing glance. I’m comfortable teasing him. The baby news opened up lines of communication, and we’ve grown closer. We were two people afraid to venture into love when we met, content with a hookup. Funny how life changes so quickly at times.

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