Page 70 of Wrong Number. Right Don.
Sasha stands just outside the door, gun still trained on Semion. His face is blank, but I can’t help but wonder if he overheard.A spark of excitement glints in his eyes—though that could be nothing more than the thrill of having Semion at gunpoint.
“She good?” he asks, already knowing the answer.
“She’s good.” I nod. “And she’s pregnant.”
Sasha’s brows lift, but he just nods once. “Then let’s get her the fuck out of here.”
I turn back to Semion. He’s seething, but he’s not stupid enough to make a move.
I adjust Nicole in my arms so she hears every word.
“If it weren’t for this woman right here,” I tell Semion, my voice cold and calm, “you and your men would all be dead right now. But now that I’m going to be a father, I need to do what’s best for my family.”
Semion sneers. “This isn’t over.”
“If you were smart, you’d back off,” Sasha adds, stepping forward with his gun still aimed. “Because I’ll have no problem taking you out if need be.”
Semion doesn’t respond.
He knows we’re right.
Sasha and the rest of our crew sweep the exits while I carry Nicole through the mansion’s corridors. It feels like walking through a battlefield. Bodies litter the floor, blood streaks the marble, and glass shards glitter along the corridor. Semion’s men took a heavy beating tonight, and they won’t forget it soon. With luck, they’ll remember their leader started all this. It never had to be like this.
At the SUV, I settle Nicole into the back seat and tuck a blanket around her shoulders while Sasha climbs into the front. The SUV pulls away from the compound, tires crunching gravel, and only then do I let out the breath I’ve been holding since the call came in.
She’s alive. She’s safe. She’s carrying my child.
Nicole stays silent for most of the ride, but her hand finds mine in the space between us, grounding me.
After a few miles she finally speaks. “I’m sorry,” she whispers.
I glance at her. “For what?”
“For lying to you,” she breathes. “For keeping the pregnancy a secret for so long. I just didn’t know if I could trust what we had.”
I shake my head. “I know why you did it,” I tell her honestly. “And I can’t blame you for keeping it to yourself.”
I slide closer and thread our fingers together. “But, just so you know, I meant what I said. I’m going to be the best damn father to this child. Not only will I protect our son or daughter with my life, but I will do the same for you. With me, you’ll never be unsafe again. I promise you that.”
Nicole’s eyes shine with tears as she squeezes my hand. “I was hoping you would say that.”
I press a kiss to her knuckles, then lean back and exhale as the adrenaline drains from my system.
29
NICOLE
Afew weeks go by, and they are some of the most amazing weeks of my life. Despite the trauma of being kept in that hellhole, Sergei has done absolutely everything he can to make me comfortable.
For starters, he’s barely left my side since I came back. I keep telling him I’m fine and he can get back to work, but he insists I matter more than any business deal. It’s kind of nice.
Plus, he knows about the baby now. Somehow, instead of bolting or spiraling, he becomes even more protective of me. Of both of us. He’s shifted into full-on caretaker mode, which is downright adorable.
He read a few articles on the internet about healthy pregnancies, and suddenly he’s an expert on all things baby. I have to keep reminding him that I actually am a medical professional and I have a good grasp on the situation.
Liliya has been healthier this week than I’ve ever seen her. She’s barely needed me at all and has told me multiple times overthe past few weeks how happy she is that I’m safe. She’s even happier that she’s finally going to be a grandma.
“These boys, I tell you.” She shakes her head the day after I get back. “I was sure I would die without ever getting to spoil my first grandchild. Thank God for you, Nicole. I couldn’t ask for a better person to be the mother of my grandbaby.”
