Page 81 of Dark Desires
I set the glass of water on the counter, staring ahead, trying to figure out what the hell to do next. The dream was nice, but itcould never be. My life feels like a game of Jenga right now, and every move threatens to send the whole thing crashingdown.
A faint littlethumpagainst my belly, like a bubble popping inside, startles me. My hand flies to my stomach, my eyes wide.
Holy shit. It was akick.
I stay perfectly still, holding my breath. There it is again. Another kick. And another. Oh my God. It’s happening.
For the first time, I can feel my baby.
I press both hands to my stomach, tears prickling at my eyes as I feel the tiny movements again. I was worried this wouldn’t happen for weeks, even though the doctor told me it was normal for first pregnancies.
But it’s happening right now.
A big, dopey grin spreads across my face. “Hey, little one. You’re really in there, huh?”
Excitement bubbles up inside me, so strong I could burst. I want to scream it out. I want to wake Alexei and tell him all about it.
Suddenly, I hear a noise from the hall near the front door. I turn off the light in the kitchen and step into the shadows.
The elevator door slides open, and a man steps into the sliver of moonlight coming through the balcony window. A protective hand flies to my belly, and I step back farther into the kitchen.
Two more men follow, armed to the teeth, their dark clothing blending into the night. The first man says something in Spanish, his voice sharp and commanding.
My Spanish isn’t great, but I catch enough: “Find her! Now!”
They’re looking for me.
One of them raises his gun, scanning the apartment, his eyes narrowing when he gets to the kitchen. My instincts take over, and I dive behind the kitchen island as his footsteps near.
The cold tile presses against my knees as I huddle behind the island, my heart pounding so hard it feels like it’s trying to escape my chest. I try to steady my breathing so as not to give myself away.
The men move through the apartment silently.
I stay crouched behind the island, my ears straining to hear anything they’re saying.
I glance around, desperate for a weapon.
My eyes land on a nearby drawer, and I slowly open it.
My fingers brush over utensils, kitchen gadgets, and a rolling pin.
Pin in hand, I move closer to the edge of the island.
He moves closer and closer, until I can hear his breathing coming too close for my comfort.
He turns the corner, and in a split second, I jab the rolling pin straight into his crotch. He doubles over with a guttural groan, his hands flying to the pain.
Before he can recover, I lift the pin and swing with everything I’ve got, cracking him right on the top of his head. He crumples to the floor like a sack of potatoes.
But there’s no time to celebrate.
Shouts in Spanish fill the apartment as the other men realize something’s wrong. I scramble toward the bedroom, clutching the rolling pin like it’s a sword.
They close in, and rough hands grab me from behind, yanking me backward. I scream, kicking and twisting.
“Let go of me!” My voice cracks as I shriek.
Panic explodes in my chest as they carry me through the expanse of the living room.
