Page 67 of Dark Embers

I nod. “Why was my mother in their hotel suite?” I bite my lip. “The photo Tara had of Anya and now this—how is it all connected?”

“Syd also found that the front desk clerk at the hotel lied,” Oleksi tells me. “A woman named Mariya Morozova had signed in the night your mother’s phone was left there.”

That makes my heart jolt. “Isn’t Mariya Anaya’s daughter that died thirty years ago?” My brow furrows in confusion.

“Yes.” Oleksi nods. “Seems she came back from the dead to meet with your mother.”

“Or kidnap her…” My eyes dart to his. “Along with your Aunt, Nik, and Mark.”

A soft knock at the door draws both our attention as it opens and a young female doctor enters, dressed in pale blue scrubs, her light brown hair tucked into a sleek bun. She gives me a reassuring smile before her eyes briefly flicker to Oleksi—she scans giving himthatlook. Her gaze isn’t subtle. It lingers too long, her interest clear.

Jealousy stabs unexpectedly sharp in my gut, and I sit up a little straighter despite the pain.

“Hello, Mrs. Mirochin. Welcome back. You gave your husband quite the scare,” she says, flipping through a digital tablet. My head jerks toward Oleksi. He shrugs and flashes me a smile that is anything but apologetic.

Mrs. Mirochin? Wife?That’s how he was able to consent to them taking my blood!Bastard!But I can’t help how good itfeels to be called his wife nor the smug look I know must now be on my face as I stare at the doctor.Yes bitch he’s mine. But only until three p.m. tomorrow the little voice at the back of my head reminds me and I start to feel giddy again.

“It’s good to see you’ve finally joined us,” the doctor continues. “You were out for quite some time. So we ran a few tests.”

“Is everything okay with my wife?” Oleksi asks, his tone smooth as silk.

She nods. “Oh yes.” A smile spreads across her lips as her eyes hold Oleksi’s and I want to fly off the bed and slap her pretty face.

I shake this suddenly territorial flair off—what the fuck Sabrina. Since when did you start being the jealous possessive type?That little voice deep from within my soul whispers back,since you found yourself head over heels in love with the big brute of a Bratva prince!

Her next words pull me back from my murderous thoughts. “There were elevated levels of hCG.” The doctor glances from Oleksi to me, her smile growing like the purple striped cat in Alice in Wonder—I didn’t like him either. I’m also so irritated by the woman I don’t realize what she’s just said. “And I believe congratulations are in order.”

I stiffen as I realize where this is going—fuck, fuck, fuck!

“What?” Oleksi and I say at the same time.

“You’re pregnant.” She says it like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Then turns those flirty eyes with the camel length eyelashes to Oleksi. “You’re going to be a daddy…” Shelooks pointedly at my little girl snuggled close to Oleksi’s hard chest as content as a bee in honey. “Again.”

“He’s n…” I start to say but Oleksi cuts me off.

“Are you sure?” He stares at the doctor in stunned disbelief.

She nods. “Not very far along.” Her gaze returns to me. “That’s probably why the nipple clamp caused you to faint. Early pregnancy often comes with heightened sensitivity.”

Jesus fucking hell. Oleksi told her!I want the floor to open up and swallow me whole.

“Pregnant,” Oleksi mutters and goes completely still beside me.

I can actually feel him processing the words, but I can’t bring myself to look at him yet. I’m too busy pretending I’m just as shocked as he is. Which I am. It’s one thing for two stripes on a few pregnancy tests—it’s possible it could still be a false positive. Unlikely, but possible. But blood tests? That’s a positive that says—this is fucking real Sabrina—this time there is a baby growing in your belly.

“Pregnant?” He says again, his voice cracks slightly, something I’ve never heard from him.

“Yes,” the doctor confirms, turning back to me. “Have you had other symptoms? Breast tenderness? Abdominal cramping during sex?”

“She’s had some pain,” Oleksi answers before I can stop him. “Last night when I was inside her.” His warm hand reaches out and takes mine.Take that bitch.I curl my hand into his,the instant anger at him volunteering our sex life to the doctor vanishing at his touch. “That’s not normal.”

But the heat of embarrassment still scorches my cheeks.Oh my god.

“I see,” the doctor says with a polite nod. “Would you mind if I do a quick exam?” This time she asks me but her eyes slip back to Oleksi.

“No, I’m sure I’m fine,” my words come out fast before he can answer.

“Yes, please,” Oleksi tells her, completely overriding my consent and as the flirty doctor thinks he’s my husband she gives him a smile then walks to the closet.

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