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“You really shouldn’t be out in your condition. With three kids, no less.” Speaking of—where the hell are they? “You should be at home with your feet up while someone else does all the heavy lifting.” “Trust me: if I had someone else, I would absolutely be home with my feet up.” Or if I had a home to do that at. The man’s eyebrows rise. He’s got bushy ones to match his mustache. “So no husband? A boyfriend, maybe? A gal-friend?”
Ok sir pls back tf up
“We’re gonna have to do this without Ruslan, buddy.” “But why?” Because he hates my fucking guts now and he didn’t care about me enough to want to hear my side of the story.
Clock it
Oh, God—he thinks it’s Ruslan. He’s not stupid or reckless. So there’s no other explanation for why he would move towards the reckless vehicle with that distant, hopeful look on his face. The side door flings open and a man appears. A man with a black mask obscuring his features. I see it all in slow motion as Josh realizes something is wrong. He throws himself backward, but it’s too late. The man grabs him by the shoulders. Hauls him into the darkened interior of the car. And the door slams shut. I beg my legs to move faster but by the time I reach the vehicle, the locks are thrown and the
...more
STOP WTF NOOO😭😭
The only problem is I didn’t dial 911. I accidentally dialed Ruslan Oryolov. “Emma.” That deep, confident voice is bringing back all sorts of terrible memories. Stop—this isn’t about you. I don’t want him knowing that I’m leaving town. I don’t want him knowing that I’m pregnant, either. But I do want my nephew back. And if Ruslan can get Josh back safe—then so be it.
HELP I’M SO MAD RN LIKE WHY CAN’T SHE JUST LIVE
“Send me your location right now.” I breathe out, more of a sob than an exhale. “Listen to me, kiska: we’re going to get him back.”
See I trust u but I’m all outta hope rn
The kidnappers have no idea that I’m right beside them. But Josh does. His eyes go wide when he catches sight of me. I put a finger to my lips and he nods.
Ok this was quicker than I thought PLEASE let this be successful
It’s annoying that, even now, my first instinct is to protect her. Mine, the beast inside me roars.
When I pull him out of the wreckage, he clings to me, shivering uncontrollably. “I knew you would come,” he whispers in my ear. “I knew it. I just knew it.”
STOPPP😭😭😭
She’s wearing long pants and a long-sleeved shirt but I can still see the bandages under her cuffs. Not to mention the scrapes and bruises on her face. My instant reaction is rage. Someone is gonna fucking die for this.
“We don’t know if those two mudaks were working in isolation or if there’s another team they’re coordinating with. Letting you drive off right now would be foolish.” If I didn’t know any better, I’d think he was trying to keep me here. Keep me close.
Clock it
Ruslan can never know about this baby. If he did, he’d never let me leave. I wouldn’t be his secretary or his lover anymore; I wouldn’t even be his friend. I’d be no more than a womb for hire. And that would make me his prisoner. I’m not about to subject myself to that kind of torture. More to the point, I won’t subject this baby to that kind of torture.
Hmm
“Are they gone yet?” The sun is fifteen minutes from setting and Phoebe and I have been watching out of the windows for the past half an hour. “Still there,” she sighs, letting the curtains fall closed. “Do you think he knows?”
He’s so funny bruh 💀
And there it is—the undeniable fact that, for all his faults, I am in love with Ruslan.
“That’s not fair! You and Ruslan are more my parents than Dad has ever been.”
I feel u bestie
A car cruises past, its headlights blinding me for a moment. It strikes me as strange that it’s moving so slowly. Strange or suspicious? The car goes past. A dark car. Maybe blue, maybe black—I can’t tell in the darkness. It seems suspect. But then again, so am I.
NAH NOPE RUN BESTIE
“Good evening, Ms. Carson,” Ruslan says casually. “Funny running into you here.”
Hahahaha so funny 😃😅
The fucking nerve of this woman. To betray me and then have the gall to be pissed off that I reacted, that I found out.
Oh brother
“When relationships end, people want fresh starts.” “What relationship?” I snarl. There’s that flinch again. There’s that throbbing vein. As titillating as our proximity is right now, I don’t enjoy hurting her. Every time I do, the beast in me roars in protest. It goes against the grain, to hurt someone you feel you were born to protect. “Yeah,” she says softly. “You’re right. We never had a relationship. You were paying me to sleep with you and I was desperate enough to say yes. I was your whore—that’s it.”
So I bend down and catch those lips with mine. This time, I swallow her gasp.
Oh aight
Someone—and I have a pretty good idea I know who—thought sending hired assassins after my family was a good idea. That someone is going to find out just how stupid a move that was.
“I-I’ve got kids, man,” he tries. I squat down in front of him and clutch his destroyed hand. His scream echoes into the empty, unforgiving night. I look him right in the eye, my voice low and menacing. “Those are my kids up there. Those are my kids you’re after.”
PERIOD
“If I talk, h-he’ll kill me…” Honestly, it’s shocking to me that Adrik can inspire this kind of fear. I might have been impressed if I weren’t so damn furious.
It’s ur uncle bruh
Who knew Adrik was capable of running such a tight ship, huh?” “My thoughts exactly.” “Unless…?” I arch an eyebrow. “Unless what?” “Unless we’re not dealing with Adrik at all?” Kirill suggests. “Maybe this is someone else entirely.”
THANK U
“They were here to hurt you and the children. They would have taken the kids and used them as bait. They would have done the same and worse to you. That’s why they had to die.”
What is that in her eyes? Is that fucking distrust? After all I’ve done? I’m pissed off all over again. Where the fuck does she get off not trusting me? I’m not the one who blew up our contract with her fucking double dealing. I’m not the rat. I’m not the snake.
Oh fucking brother
That hope keeps saying stupid, stubborn things. Like, If we have to spend this month together, maybe, just maybe it will change something between us. Maybe he’ll hear me out. Maybe he’ll believe me. And if he does those things, then maybe there doesn’t have to be a goodbye at the end of this month. Maybe there’s a chance I can tell him about this baby and we can raise it together like we planned.
She just like me fr
The Inner Sanctum? That’s surprising. And it fuels the hope that’s kindling in my gut. Sure, he cares about the kids—but maybe they’re the excuse he’s using to care about me, too?
See if I didn’t have his pov I’d call her a lil delulu
“Let me make something very clear.” His tone is biting and it makes me feel about this big. “Nothing has changed between us, Emma. You and I are not friends or coworkers or lovers. The only reason you’re here at all is because I refuse to let any harm come to those children on account of me. But as soon as the threat is gone, you will be, too. And I will be happier for it.” Each word feels like a nail in my coffin. That kiss earlier was just a manipulation, a way to get me to listen to him. Not gonna lie—it hurts.
Bro don’t pmo
Ruslan won’t be part of this child’s life and that’s on him. I’m gonna take my miracles where I get them and love this child for the both of us.
Period
“The kitchen’s already fully stocked.” He huffs as he drops the bags down on the sleek marble center island. “But those girls have a serious sweet tooth and Uncle Kiki is gonna pretend to be Willy Wonka for today.
Aww
“It’s Ben.” My heart plummets. “He filed a missing person’s report for all four of you.” You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. “I’m guessing you haven’t turned on the news today?” “He was on the news? Fuck me! Who has the pull to get him on—” And then it hits me. So obvious I can’t believe I didn’t think of it already. Beatrice and Barrett.
I’m so sick and tired for her
All I know is that I can’t stay here in this gilded prison. I can’t allow myself to be jailed, no matter how much I may care about my jailer.
ok ma’am let’s breathe for a sec-
“Don’t look so scared, Emma. I already knew.” Since I’ve given away enough already, I decide to make him say it. “Knew what?” He smirks and crosses his leg in a figure-four. “I know you’re pregnant. I know you’re carrying Ruslan’s baby.”
Like he was tryna say before but alas
“He wants you to be safe, for starters.” My insides churn. I so want to believe that. But Ruslan’s words are still burning in my ears. He was just a little too convincing last night.
Right like-
“I know that’s what you want me to believe, but I know Ruslan will always be your first priority.” He doesn’t deny it. “Perhaps. But that baby in your belly is my second. You’re carrying the future pahkan of the Oryolov Bratva. That means you are my priority, too.”
See I knew I liked u
“I’d rather make a card for the baby!” she adds. I freeze. “W-what?” Caroline transforms into a little bobblehead doll for a moment, blond bangs flapping on her forehead. “That’s a great idea right? I’m gonna do it.” “Um, Caro, sweetheart… what baby are you talking about?” “Your baby, silly!”
I-…
“Aunt Emma isn’t gonna have this baby for a really long time, okay? So I think it’s better, for right now, to keep it our little secret.” The girls agree easily enough but Josh looks at me almost… accusingly? Almost… angrily? No—I’m reading too much into it. He’s just processing. I hope.
He’s gonna tell bruh
“It’s fine,” Kirill replies flippantly. “I’ve got it covered.” He’s got it covered. The beast inside me roars possessively. No other man should be taking care of Emma’s needs but me. Even if it is as inconsequential as bedsheets and extra towels. “If anyone’s gonna cover the cost of Emma’s needs, it’s me.”
“You do seem to enjoy spending time with them,” I point out. “Did you stay for dinner?” Kirill cocks his head to the side. The bastard’s fucking goading me now. “Emma was making roast chicken. What was I supposed to do, say no?” “Yes,” I hiss. “That’s exactly what you’re supposed to do. She’s fucking using you.”
Bro ur so funny
Uncle Kiki brings us new toys every day.” Uncle Kiki. Yeah. That’s gonna have to stop.
😭😭
“She’s sick. She’s throwing up all over the bathroom.” “Ew, Rae. Don’t be gross.” “But it’s true.” “I’m sure it’s just a stomach bug,” I comfort Rae, running my hand over her downy hair. “It’s not a stomach bug!” she insists passionately. “It’s the baby. The baby’s making Aunt Emma puke all over the bathroom.”
I- HAHAHA I’M SORRY BUT NO WAY BRUH 🫢😭
My gaze veers to Josh again. His expression is all the confirmation I need. For fuck’s sake. Emma is pregnant. And she was gonna skip town without telling me. Yeah? Well, she can kiss that plan goodbye. Because she’s not leaving in a month. She’s not leaving ever.
Welp-
“She’s just scared, Aunt Em,” Caroline offers. “Scared?” I put the hot pack aside and sit up. “Scared about what?” Now, Caroline looks like she’s caught Reagan’s allergy to me. She backs away slowly, her eyes skidding from one side to the other. “Um… I dunno…”
They’re so funny bruh 😭😭
“How about a tour of the house?” Ruslan suggests. “That’s not necessary,” I interject quickly. “Kirill’s already offered to show us around.” Kirill turns to me with an expression that seems to read, Why the fuck are you putting me in the middle?
Bruh 💀
“He realizes he fired me, right? I no longer have to be at his beck and call.” Kirill smiles sympathetically. “Some friendly advice? Go to him. It’s easier that way.” “Pussy.”
LMAOOO
But let me make one thing very clear: you are here in the capacity of a glorified surrogate. You are the baby’s mother, but that is all. You will get the benefits of my lifestyle. But you will not get me.” With only a few words, he’s cut me down. I’m not a person anymore; I’m a walking womb. An incubation chamber. I am nothing more than a means to an end.
Sighhhhh
You can’t exactly afford to lose the baby. You’d be losing your meal ticket, too.”
Oh nah sir u can gtfo. Did u completely miss the part where she was tryna skip town before u knew🤨
“Pregnant,” I spit in disgust. “How the hell did that slip past me?” “Easy. Because you weren’t interested.” “She should have told me herself.” “Right, because you’re so easy to talk to,” he drawls. “How exactly did she manage to wrap you around her little finger?” Kirill chuckles. “She hasn’t wrapped me around anything. I simply decided to believe her.”
CLOCK HIM
“He’s gonna pay for that.” “I thought you didn’t care about Emma.” Kirill makes a big show of tapping his lip like he’s deep in thought. “Why ever would you want to avenge a woman you claim you have no feelings for?”
LMAO READ HIM
“What are you looking for us to be, Kirill? One big, happy family? Emma shot that future to hell when she started running her mouth to Remmy Jefferson.” He starts to talk but I hold my hand up to shut him up. “Before you defend her, let me remind you that she’s the reason the contract is out there in the ether, being leveraged for personal gain by that slimy little shit. I trusted her once and look where that got me.”
Sir I’m abt sick of u
