Page 4 of Surrogate for the Bratva
“Let’s toast once more before you handle Dmitry once and for all. I hope.”
“I will. But securing an heir is my top priority.” I picked up the mother of pearl spoon with a heaping pile of Beluga caviar on it and eat it, washing it down with a shot of vodka. “I will see you soon, Maria. Be well.”
“You too, Igor. And more than that, be safe.” She kissed both of my cheeks and bid me farewell.
Maxim joined me before I reached the front door, which was held open by another one of Maria’s servants. “Did you get her agreement?”
“I did. Now I just need to find the right woman.”
Maxim laughed. “I am unfamiliar with this phrase, therightwoman. Where will you find this fairytale woman?”
I laughed with Maxim who was soured on love by a betrayal when we were young. “She’s out there. I just have to find her.”
And get her to agree to my terms.
And do it all without revealing my true identity.
Chapter Three
April
The sound of Jacob’s thick, rattling cough woke me from a deep sleep. Amuch neededdeep sleep after the longest two days in human history, but the cough persisted and there was no way in hell I’d be able to sleep until I checked on him.
My gaze flicked to the window as I swung my legs over the edge of the bed. It was still dark out and I slid my feet into my fuzzy slippers as another cough rang out. I walked faster until I was at a full run as I rushed down the stairs of my unit and used my key to go inside Jacob’s unit. His cough didn’t let up and with each one, my heart rate kicked up.
“Jacob!” He sat up in bed, bent forward to keep his airways clear even though the thick mucus was causing the blockage. He looked up at me with watery eyes and a beet red face.
“Ap… Ril…” he gasped out. He was having a hard time breathing and I rushed to him, rubbing his back to try and calm his pulse. I gave him saline and even his inhaler, but nothing helped. Jacob grabbed my wrist, his eyes wide and worried as he struggled to breathe.
“I know, Jacob. I know.” Neither of us wanted to do what came next but when I turned and saw a small amount of blood inside his hand, there was no question. “We need to get to the hospital.”
With a look of pure resignation in his eyes, Jacob nodded.
I rushed around to gather his shoes and socks, putting them on while his cough amped up my anxiety to fifteen out of ten. I grabbed a hoodie for him and got him settled in the car before I went back to get my keys and purse. “Okay. Hang on, we’ll be there in no time.”
***
Thanks to my willingness to break a few traffic laws, we made good time to ATL General and with one look at Jacob, the doctor saw him immediately.
Unfortunately, they wouldn’t let me go back there, which left me pacing the waiting room anxiously. It was time to face the fact that Jacob’s symptoms weren’t getting better. They weren’t even staying the same. They were getting worse and there was no more denying it. Soon his treatments would cost more and more, and things were already tight. I stopped at the window and stared out at the starry night, the oversized moon lit the parking lot and beyond.
If only my life was peaceful and serene.
“April Stone?”
I turned at the sound of the feminine voice and nodded. “That’s me.”
“Your brother is settled now if you’d like to see him?”
“Yes, thank you.” I followed her through the maze of halls until we arrived at his room.
“He needs to rest so keep it brief,” she informed me as she pushed the door open and waved me inside.
“Thank you.” I stepped inside and stared at my brother who was—finally—not coughing. “Jacob. Feeling better?”
He nodded, a small smile on his face. “Surprisingly, yes.”
My shoulders extricated themselves from my ears and I started to relax. “That’s good. You scared the crap out of me.”
