Page 8 of Knocked up by the Mafia

It’s Ivan. I can’t put this off forever.

I sit on the side of the bed, take a deep calming breath, and answer. “Why is everyone panicking?”

“Natalia!” he roars. “We’ve all been worried something happened to you. Evgenii is out of his mind with worry because you didn’t come home last night at all. No messages, no nothing.”

“Last time I checked, I am an adult, Pakhan.” It’s cheekier than I intend, but it does its job and surprises him.

“Natalia, what are you up to?”

“I didn’t want to say, but I guess I have no choice but to tell you now.” I sigh. “It’s not that bad. I got married last night.”

“I’m sorry? Natalia, stop fucking around. Are you on a job? Tell me what you’re doing; that’s an order!”

“I’m not joking, Ivan.” I use my cousin's name so he knows I’m being serious, and it’s a family talk, not afamilytalk. “I’m on my honeymoon with my husband.

“You can’t just run off and marry someone, Nat. Who the fuck is this guy? You’ve never mentioned seeing someone before.” I hear my brother in the background asking who got married.

Ivan ignores me temporarily and tells Evgenii to calm down; he’ll explain shortly. “Natalia, just come home, and we can work this out.”

“I promise I’ll bring my husband around to meet you. I just…” I pause, trying to think of the words I can use. “I didn’t think you’d approve of him. That’s why it’s so secret.”

“Natalia, give me the code word we used as kids if you need me to send someone to save you. It is entirely out of your character to date, let alone marry someone.” Ivan sounds worried, and I click my tongue.

“No code word needed, Ivan. I swear to God, I’m just on my honeymoon, and we’re not far away. We’re still in the city, but I want to enjoy my honeymoon. Look, I’m sorry I didn’t confide in you sooner, but you know I prefer my privacy.” I tap my foot, waiting.

Ivan mumbles something to my brother and then says. “You better bring this husband to a family lunch for me to meet him. You know I would approve of someone if they make you happy unless it’s someone involved in a family that is an enemy of ours.”

“No family. He does work in our world, but he’s unaffiliated.”

“A cleaner?” he asks. I can basically hear the frown in his voice.

I glance at the door. “Not really, but it’s not safe to have conversations like this on the phone. You never know if they’ve tapped our lines and are listening.”

“Check in with me daily, so I know you’re alive and safe, by message in the morning and phone call at night.” Ivan is not leaving any room for discussion.

“I will, Ivan. I promise. Again, I’m sorry for making everyone worry.” I wait, and Evgenii comes on the phone.

“I’m going to kill you.” The words are hissed at me.

I smirk, “I love you too, brother, and I’m sorry I worried you. Everything will be revealed soon. You’ll love the guy.”

Evgenii cuts the call, and I throw my phone on the bed. I hang my head. Weddings are a huge thing in my family. It’s almost the biggest thing. My parents, my brother, Ivan, and, oh God, Ivan’s mom will be so disappointed that I eloped. That’s what I want them to think, though, that I eloped with a secret boyfriend.

I don’t know how to explain to them that I’m married toThe Shadowand that this marriage is the only thing between me and my death.

I need to give Ivan more details. I need to come up with a solid story to tell him. I gave him as little as I could, but he’ll have more questions once he’s processed this. The shock will wear off, and he’ll start thinking about the unlikeliness of the situation.

I splash my face with water and then feel the room spinning. My stomach cramps, and I rush to the toilet. I throw the seat up and sit on my knees in front of it. I groan as I wretch, throwing up the alcohol I had last night. I realize I haven’t eaten for a while, and my stomach is protesting.

I don’t feel like going out and exploring the kitchen ofour new home. I finish throwing up and wash my face. I find a still-packaged toothbrush and toothpaste and brush my teeth to eliminate the awful taste.

I lie back on the bed and wait. I wonder why Daniel hasn’t come to see if I’m still here. I mean, I could climb out the window and run off if I wanted to. It’s too easy, though. He’s probably got sensors outside that will trigger if I move through them, or cameras, or something on the windows that will notify him that I’ve opened them.

I close my eyes and clutch my stomach. I think it’s the combination of the anxiety of lying to Ivan, being married to Daniel, family disappointment, the potential threat to my life, and of course, the fact I haven’t eaten.

I mean, isn’t that enough to upset a stomach?

Chapter 6 - Daniel

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