Page 2 of Surrogate for the Bratva
“Oh no,” I shook my head. “We’re not doing that. Keep the focus on you, Kelsie. What’s the good damn news, girl?”
She tossed her head back and laughed. “I got my first event! I’m not playing second banana or assisting, I’m the lead planner. Can you believe it?”
“Of course I can. You’re the most capable person I know, and we all know you can throw a party like nobody’s business.” She’d gotten hired at the second largest event planning firm in the city right out of college and she’d finally gotten her big break. “This is amazing!”
“You’re right, itisamazing! And I am so excited I just might burst.” Her skin was flushed and her brown eyes sparkled beautifully. “That means starting tomorrow I have to buckle down and make this the best deb ball this city has seen in one hundred years.”
“If anyone can, it’s you.” It made me happy to see something going right around me. “I’m so happy and so proud, Kels.”
“Thanks, I’m proud too. Now, tell me what’s got that hangdog look on your face.”
“Nothing,” I sighed. “Everything. Just life, you know? Anyway I’m not looking to rain on your parade.”
“You’re my bestie, April. There’s no parade without you so tell me what’s wrong?”
“Just life, Kelsie. Honestly, it’s nothing specific, just utter exhaustion between work and Jacob. I think it’s just starting to take a toll.” I felt like a selfish asshole even thinking that I had notime for myself, but it was true. “I just need to sleep for two days straight, and I’ll be good again.”
“So you can start the tiring process all over again? I don’t think so, babe. Tonight we’re going out to celebrate. We’ll have a few drinks, dance off a few calories, and maybe kiss a few toads.”
I was tempted to agree. Kelsie deserved a night out to celebrate her career success, and I was going to give it to her. Sure my bank account would take a hit, but I would make it work. I had to. “Yes. Yeah, okay it’s a plan. But I am wearing comfy shoes, and you won’t bitch about it.”
Kelsie squealed in delight and clapped her hands. “Yes! And I will complain about your shoes, but I won’t bring a backup pair. Deal?”
“Deal,” I sighed and prepared myself for a long night and a longer day tomorrow.
Chapter Two
Igor
“Igor, this is a surprise. Hello, Maxim.” My oldest friend in the world, Maria Ivanova, opened her door with a smile. “Come in, both of you.”
“Maria, you’re looking well.” I leaned down to her petite frame and placed a kiss on both of her cheeks. “How are you?”
“I am good. What brings you by so unexpectedly?”
I smiled at her question. Maria grew up in the same world I did. Her father was an associate of mine and we played alongside each other for decades. “I have come to a decision on the matter of securing my future.” It was a matter of great importance, securing my future and producing the next generation of the great Romanov family.
Maria turned and arched an eyebrow. “Just last week you were inquiring about using my womb and now you’ve already come to a decision? You move fast, don’t you?”
My lips pulled into an amused grin. “Well you are the one who told me that forty-one was entirely too old to carry a healthy baby to term, which is a lie by the way. I’ve spoken to several physicians who insisted that women are having healthy babies later and later.”
She smiled again and nodded for me to follow her through the foyer and down a long hall with black and white tiles that led to her state-of-the-art kitchen. “Well my decision was based on more than my age, Igor.”
“Of course, and it means a great deal to me that you would consider such a big favor.” Her refusal shocked me, but I understood and immediately began digging into my backup plan.
“So, your plan? Tell me about it.” Maria took her seat at the round table on the terrace overlooking her prized garden and I took the one right beside her while my right hand man, Maxim, took his lunch in the kitchen.
I sighed. “I’m going to find a woman and have a baby.”
She tossed her head back and laughed. It was the only time her formal, icy façade faded, when she was laughing at me or calling me a fool. “Just like that? You think it so easy to find a woman and put a baby inside of her?” She laughed again and shook her head as the housekeeper set two shot glasses on the table between us. “I know you have led a charmed life, but even for you that’s extreme.”
My nostrils flared and my jaw clenched in frustration, which only made Maria laugh harder. “Maria,” I groaned.
“Sorry,” she replied not sounding sorry at all as she lifted her glass. “Let’s toast to new life and new beginnings.”
The icy vodka went down easily, and I let out a sigh. “I have found a surrogacy agency with a good reputation. The only thing I need to do now is find the perfect candidate in terms of age, heritage, and ability to give me a male heir.”
“Oh, that’s all?” she laughed again and shook her head. “How do you plan to combat the problem of your identity and everything that goes along with having your baby?”
