Page 19 of Lethal Hearts

In the end, Mikhail ended up going to that meeting, although he was late for it. Harper remained in their bed a little while longer, breathing in the musky scent of their combined need. She felt languid, completely sated. Harper was tempted to close her eyes and take a short nap but that wouldn’t do.

She finally pulled herself out of bed a few minutes later. Harper had an online lecture to watch at 9:00 AM and it was now 8.30 AM. She wanted to have some breakfast first before focusing on her studies.

Mikhail agreed to meet her later for dinner. He’d promised he’d take her to the newly opened Italian restaurant in town and Harper was excited to try the food there.

While Harper was still very much an introvert, she didn’t mind making public appearances every now and then with her husband. It was part and parcel of being Mikhail Konstantin’s wife, after all. Sure, there might be the occasional paparazzi but she never once felt unsafe when she was with her husband and his trusted men.

After a quick shower, Harper planned on heading to the kitchen to make some toast and scrambled eggs for breakfast but her stomach felt queasy. She bolted to the bathroom, not bothering to shut the door behind her. Harper ended up throwing up twice that morning.

She still managed to view her online lecture and type out notes. Worrying she had a stomach flu, she planned on making a quick trip to the pharmacy. After hastily putting on some clothes, she headed outside only to have one of Mikhail’s men, Rolf, insist he go with her.

“Fine, if you need to,” she said.

Arguing with any of Mikhail’s men was useless. Harper still hadn’t gotten used to the extra security measures Mikhail had implemented. Don Juan was still gunning for them, she knew, but so far the cartel boss hadn’t made any drastic moves.

Sure, there was another failed assassination attempt on her father a week ago, but her father had grown extra paranoid of his own personal security ever since Don Juan’s men had invaded their home. God. That incident felt like an entire lifetime ago.

Rolf drove her to the nearest pharmacy, which was three blocks away from Mikhail’s apartment. As she entered the store, Harper felt a familiar sense of déjà vu.

She looked over her shoulder. Everything on the street looked normal except the dark-green BMW that looked a little out of place in this neighborhood.

“Something wrong?” Rolf asked, following her gaze.

“Nothing, must be my imagination. I’m feeling a little off today,” she admitted.

“You could have just given me a list and I would’ve happily purchased the items for you,” he said.

“I needed some fresh air.” As Harper browsed the pharmacy shelves, unsure of what to get, she once again examined what she felt earlier. She experienced the same thing the night Don Juan’s men broke into her house. Harper felt like she was being watched.

She grabbed some stomach medicine. Rolf was a good bodyguard and stood to one side while she shopped. Harper paused in her steps, not realizing she stopped in front of the pharmacy’s baby section. Her heart raced as she thought of her puking session earlier.

She felt nauseous earlier but nothing else. Was there a possibility she was pregnant? Mikhail and she had been pretty amorous lately and they didn’t bother with protection. Of course it could also be a false alarm and she simply caught the flu.

No time to be second-guessing herself, Harper thought. She swiped two pregnancy tests and finally made her purchase. Thankfully, Rolf wasn’t a busybody. He didn’t even glance at what she bought. They exited the pharmacy and once more, Harper felt phantom eyes on her.

“Are we being watched?” she asked Rolf. The older man frowned and gave their surroundings a quick look. Then he quickly ushered her back in the car. He even opened the door for her. She watched him move to the driver’s seat and worry prickled at her. What if he never made it back to the wheel?

A second passed, then another. Rolf was back in the driver’s wheel.“Rolf?” she asked.

“Never hurts to be careful,” Rofl answered.“Besides, the boss would have my head if anything happened to you.”

“Let’s head back home,” she suggested. Rolf agreed with her.

Half an hour later, they were back at the apartment. That little trip somehow exhausted her. Harper plopped herself on the living room sofa with her purchases.

She made herself a BLT sandwich, which didn’t make her queasy. After taking some of the stomach medicine, Harper examined one of the pregnancy kits. She ought to take a test, just to confirm she wasn’t pregnant, that it was just a momentary scare.

Mikhail made it clear he wanted an heir and Harper didn’t mind raising a family with him, but now she had doubts. Don Juan was still after them. Hell, Mikhail would always have enemies after him and his family. Would they be truly safe?

“I trust him,” Harper reminded herself.

Mikhail would never be careless or let his guard down, like her father. One might not be able to tell at first glance but Mikhail was the sort of protector who would do anything for his wife and family. There was nothing to be afraid or worried about.

Harper’s phone vibrated in the pocket of her jeans and she fished it out. Seeing Mikhail’s text, she smiled. He always tried to text her every day. Sometimes, she even met up with Mikhail at his office so they could have lunch together.

Mikhail:Missing you so much. Wished I’d stayed with you today.

Harper:Me too.

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