Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 34410 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 172(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34410 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 172(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
Alix hadn’t been a virgin. But she hadn’t been with George. He couldn’t blame her for taking a lover many years ago.
Alix burst into tears. “Why didn’t you say anything? I’ve been thinking that you’re mad at me, that you want to kill me.”
“I am mad at you,” Dmitry said. “Do you have any idea what you did? You put your life at risk. With George on the loose, they know I have you. They know who you are, and that puts you at risk. They could have taken you, raped you, killed you. If they even for a second thought you carried my child, they would have used you and my kid, Alix. Going out on your own was a stupid fucking thing to do. So yeah, I was angry with you.” He shook his head. “But I won’t kill you.”
Alix sniffled. “I’m sorry.”
“Good. Don’t ever put your life at risk again.”
“You’re being unfair now,” Alix said. “It’s okay for you to tell me I should come to you, but I don’t know what any of this means. Remember, I’m just payment for my ex-husband so you don’t kill him. I’m a nanny to your child. I know I’m in no way wife material!” She stopped and pressed her hands to her face. “I don’t know what having a child means for you, for us. We’re having fun.”
“I will always take care of you and our children.” He ran a hand down his face. “Don’t you see what I’ve been doing? I’ve not used a condom between us. I’ve not insisted on you taking anything. I wanted to get you pregnant, Alix.”
“You did?” Alix asked.
“Yeah, I did.”
“Why?”
“Because I wanted to.” It had to be one of the most reckless things he had ever done. There was no deep or meaningful reason. He wanted to knock up Alix. He wanted to make her his.
Silence fell between them and as it did, the alarm on his cell phone went off, alerting him that the test was ready for them to see the results.
In all his life, he had never wanted anything. Never prayed for a toy or wished for his father’s support. He had gone through life expecting everything that was thrown at him without questioning a single part of it.
Until now.
Dmitry wasn’t used to wanting. One look and one interaction with Alix had made him want her. It was the first time in his life that he wanted something he couldn’t have. Now that he had her, he prayed to keep her. He loved her smile, enjoyed spending time with her, even if they were silent in each other’s company. It wasn’t awkward.
Alix made him fucking feel, which he knew was a bad thing.
Before Alix, he stepped up to the bathroom and checked the results on the test. He confirmed with the box, and then he couldn’t help but smile.
Turning toward Alix, she looked at his face, then at the box. “What does it say?”
“You’re pregnant, Alix. We’re pregnant.”
He dropped the test into the sink and then pulled her into his arms, taking possession of her lips. “It means we’re going to have a baby.”
Alix wrapped her arms around him and he carried her back toward the bedroom, dropping her down on the bed. What it meant to him was he didn’t have to ever let her go. He would find a way to keep her by his side for fucking ever.
All his life he had sacrificed everything. He had given everything he was to his father, to the Bratva. This time, he was going to take his little slice of heaven as his own.
He moved toward Alix’s side and then ran his hand down her body, pressing his palm against her stomach. As he did this, he realized this could also work to draw out his enemies. Alix was not part of the Bratva. Taking her as his wife would cause some upset and there would be a challenge, but if she gave him a son, then people would back off. He didn’t give a shit if it was a son or a daughter. Even if she gave birth to another girl, he wouldn’t get rid of Alix.
For the first time in his life, he felt fucking happy and no one was taking that from him. But, announcing his marriage to Alix, and their upcoming child, would potentially show a weakness. While he was weak, those that felt they could overthrow him would attack. He’d deal with George and Angeloff.
“Alix,” he said, staring into her brown eyes. He couldn’t quite read what she was thinking and he took hold of her hand, locking their fingers together.
“What is it?” she asked.
“Marry me,” he said.
He had only said those words once before and he thought of his first wife. He often made the effort to not think about her. There had been no love between them. When it came to his first wife, all he felt was hatred. She had been so disloyal and such a disappointment. The only reason he cared was because of Sofia.