by Anna Antonia
“When did you start feeling sick?”
“In the elevator. I’m sure I’m fine. I just didn’t drink that much water tonight. Where were you? You always come.” I sounded waspish, unlike my usual self. I wasn’t supposed to depend on anyone, least of all Marcus, but my emotions temporarily overrode the connection.
“There were matters to attend.”
“I see.” Kicking my shoes off, I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. “God, I feel like hell. I know I haven’t been getting enough sleep. By the way, where are we going tonight? We’ve already been here for a day.”
“We’re staying here for the time being.”
Cracking an eye, I said, “That’s unusual. Is it because of me? I’ll be fine, you know.”
“I know.” Marcus took my pulse. He rested the back of his palm against my forehead.
I swatted at his hand and let out a weak chuckle. “I’m okay, Marcus. Really.”
He sat back on his heels. His expression was unusually serious.
“I was hoping to not have to tell you this myself, Miss Kelly, but as usual circumstances have changed.”
Leaning forward, I gave Marcus a hundred percent of my attention. “Has something happened to Damian?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
Marcus considered me for a long moment. “Congratulations, Miss Kelly. You’re pregnant.”
36
DAMIAN
“We’ve tracked Risa Kelly to Atlanta.”
I stalked over to the computer station. “Let me see.” Wolffington’s man rolled his chair out of the way, giving me full access to his machine.
My eyes feverishly scanned the images on his dual monitors. I wiped a shaky hand across my jaw. It was Risa.
Beautiful, glorious, lying Eve in the flesh. I tumbled further into sin when I saw the body-baring dress she wore while clutching another man’s arm. Her beautiful red lips, much smaller than last I saw them, were pursed as she stared at the camera.
She looked perturbed. Why?
“Who is he?”
“Sascha Volkov.”
I’d never seen this man before but I hated him on sight. Not because he was a Volkov and I a Konstantinov, but because of her.
Humiliation formed a hard knot in my gut. Every man in this room saw the proof of Risa’s faithlessness.
I’d wait for you forever.
No. I couldn’t trust her words. She was a liar. A betraying bitch.
And still I wanted every inch of her. Every night I lost myself to the memories of a time when Risa still loved me. When she wanted me more than anything or anyone else.
“Where?”
“The St. Regis.”
I reached for the ever-present lock of hair. My thumb smoothed against the frayed ribbon and glossy lock. “Get Wolffington on the line.”
Moments later I heard his clipped voice, “Black-Price, I take it you’ve seen the lead?”
Lead. What a sterile word for what it really was.
“Has it been verified?”
“Yes. This is a legitimate sighting. Purely coincidental.”
“Explain.”
“It was just a group of college girls waiting for a pop star to arrive. Risa just happened to get caught.”
Yes, she did.
My fingers tightened over the lock. I had the urge to shred it. I almost gave in, but instead I released it.
Disgust for my weakness bled into my tone.
“We’re going to Atlanta.”
“Sir, allow me to scope the area out first.”
“Denied. We’re leaving now.”
“I highly advise against it.”
“Noted. Get your men ready to meet us at Hartsfield.”
“What will you do when you get there?”
I barked out a bitter laugh. “What do you think? Go to the St. Regis and get back what’s mine.”
“Black-Price, you cannot storm the Volkovs.”
“Watch me.”
“Let us go in, assess the situation, and if prudent—we’ll take care of the extraction. You stay in New York and continue as if nothing’s changed.”
“No. My orders stand. I’m going to Atlanta and get Risa back. If I have to take out a Volkov or two—so be it.”
“You’re the goddamned CEO of Bridgewater National! You are not a thug. Your exposure has to be limited. You’re not supposed to get your hands dirty, Black-Price. That’s what we’re here for.”
“Then I expect you to be at Hartsfield when I land.”
Disconnecting the call, I handed the cell back to his man. “Pack up. We’re leaving in fifteen.”
A flurry of movement greeted my order. I remained in place, staring at the screen. Risa had much to answer for. So did Marcus and Sascha Volkov.
Don’t forget about Elaine and Thomas. Leon, my brother, where do you stand?
The whole world had turned against me. Why wouldn’t Leon?
Risa wore her hair up. A fur coat hung halfway off her shoulders. Jewels dangled from her earlobes, throat, and wrists. I never gave her any. Is that why she traded me for Sascha?
Why him? Of all the men in the world, all the families, why the Volkovs? Either it was a big middle finger to me and my past or there was something bigger. Something I couldn’t yet see…
Stop it. You’re just trying to make excuses for Risa.
I tightened my hand into a fist. Every time I believed my hatred for her couldn’t get deeper all it took was for me to give her the benefit of the doubt.
Bitch. Whore. Traitor.
Yes. Risa Kelly was all of those things plus more.
But I still loved her. I couldn’t stop.
I didn’t know how.
37
RISA
Eight hours later and the news still didn’t make sense. I was pregnant, but how? I was on the pill and had been since I was sixteen. I’d never had a close call.
Ever.
But I couldn’t deny I’d missed my period. How could I have not noticed that?
Oh, I don’t know. Maybe the stress of leaving Damian, witnessing death, being on the run with Damian and from Damian…yeah. You miss things.
Marcus knocked on the door. He came in with a tray. Juice. Toast. Vitamins.
The same vitamins I’d been taking since the bunker.
“How long did you know?”
He set it down next to the bed. “Since the beginning.” Seeing the shock in my eyes, he explained, “I did bloodwork on you after drugging you the first time. I ran it again once we were in the bunker to verify the results.”
Dizziness forced me to lean back against the pillows. Despite my shock, and the fact this was some of the worst circumstances to expect a child, there was no doubt what I wanted to do.
This baby was mine.
What will Damian think when he finds out? Will he be happy to become a father?
“How far along am I?”
“You’d need an ultrasound to verify it, but I’d say you’re nearing the end of your first trimester.”
Three months. Which meant I got pregnant back in New York during the night of the gala.
Suddenly, I thought about my activities in Denver. Fear divebombed, disrupting my burgeoning joy.
My diet had been shitty. I worked all the time, staying out late into the night…oh fuck.
I drank. Not much because I’d always been a lightweight, but still. I drank enough to make the room spin. I had red wine. Some rum. A little bit of beer.
Oh no. No, no, no…
Reaching for his arm with both hands, I babbled, “Marcus, I need to get to a doctor. I wasn’t healthy back then. I drank. Not a lot, but enough that I’m scared my baby might not be…”
I couldn’t verbalize my fear.
Marcus gently said, “I can’t take you to a hospital or a clinic.”
“You have to!”
“But I can arrange to have someone come here.”
“That’s fine. I don’t care. I just n
eed to…I just…I need to know, Marcus, if my baby is healthy.”
Marcus’s hand was careful as he pulled mine down. “I’m confident your baby is more than healthy and fine. I monitored you as much as possible, given the location. But I know you need assurance. I’ll have someone here within the hour.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Marcus got up, instructing me to eat before getting ready for the doctor. I called him just as he got to the door.
“What affect does the tattoo have on my baby?”
“Your vitals are strong.”
“You’re not answering my question.”
“It’s experimental technology, Miss Kelly. However, it was designed to be safe regardless of the user’s age or health.”
“You knew I was pregnant when you had that mark put on me, but you did it anyways.”
“Yes.”
“How could you, Marcus? How could you take a chance with my child’s life like that?”
“This plan wasn’t contingent on your pregnancy. It had to go forward.”
“Fuck the plan, Marcus! I’m not talking about the perfection of your plan. I’m talking about my unborn baby’s life!”
“I have done what I could to keep you and your child healthy. None of this is ideal, Miss Kelly, but these are the cards we have to play.”
Working to keep my temper in check, I asked softly, “Why did you tell me now?”
Marcus’s answer was brutal in its swiftness. “We’re almost at the end, Miss Kelly, and the next part is going to be dangerous. You have a right to back out for the safety of yourself and your unborn child.”
“What happens to Damian if I do?”
“I go to my bump plan.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“It’s the only one I have, Miss Kelly. I’m juggling quite a few balls in one hand while conducting a symphony with the other. Things will get messy.”
“If I stay in it?”
“Less messy.”
Shit. That wasn’t leaving me any good choices.
“Marcus, I’ve come too far to quit. You know I won’t walk away from Damian.”
“Yes, but you don’t just have yourself and Damian to think about.” He waited for me to reply, but there was nothing more to say because he was right. “I’ll be back with the doctor, Miss Kelly. Take this opportunity to eat your breakfast and get dressed.”
With that he left the room.
I lay there, exhausted, worried, and dazed.
Damian and I were going to have a baby. My parents were going to have their first grandchild and they didn’t even know I was seeing anybody.
Not just anybody, but my supposed boss.
That would go over really, really well with my father. He’d demand a reckoning. Not just that, but he’d demand Damian marry me within the week. I could only imagine how poorly the CEO of Bridgewater National would take it considering how I drugged him and ran off with my original kidnapper.
Or would that be Damian?
A bubble of hysterical laughter burst free.
I miss you so much, Damian. I wish you were here with me right now. I know you’d make everything better. I know you’d take care of us.
I drew my knees up and wrapped my arms around my legs.
What was I going to do now?
38
DAMIAN
I was an hour away from landing.
The mood in the jet was tense. This suited me just fine. My patience, poor at best, now balanced on a razor-thin edge between fury and unnatural calm.
My retinue had a report on the Volkovs ready for me by the time we got to the airport. I studied it, searching for anything I could use as leverage against Iliya and his sons.
Running through various scenarios, I tried to pinpoint why their interest lay in Risa. It wasn’t ransom or I would’ve been contacted by now. Elaine seemed to be the only connection between the two families.
Damned snake.
Still, why would Iliya Volkov work with anyone connected to the Konstantinovs? They’d been rivals during the late 70s and into the early 90s. What did Elaine promise them that made them overcome this generational barrier? My father’s final words came up to haunt me.
There’s one more thing I have to say. It’s about Elaine and Leon. You need to know the final truth—
It was over. I was alone in the world and nothing I did would ever change that bitter truth.
But I did have a final move.
Flipping through the packet, I came to the picture that set this in motion. Risa’s beautiful face stared back at me.
She hadn’t contacted her parents in almost two weeks. I considered taking them out of Houston—willing or not. Their absence would surely bring Risa out of hiding. Tempting as it was, I wanted Risa the right way.
Not necessarily of her own free will. No, nothing that easy.
I didn’t want to take the Kellys.
I needed to take Risa.
I needed her to realize there was nowhere she could go and be free of me.
I’ve almost got you, my love. And once I do, I’ll never, ever let you go. No matter how much you beg. How much you promise to be a good girl. Your promises are worthless. I don’t need your promises anymore.
I just need you.
39
RISA
“This will be a little cold, but bear with me.” A rapid beat, too fast to be human, filled the room. “Do you hear that? That, Risa, is your baby’s heartbeat.”
“But it’s so fast! Is that normal or…” Already I was sure I’d caused irrevocable harm to my child.
“It’s perfectly normal and healthy. I’d be worried if it wasn’t this fast. Now stay still for me just a sec.”
I nodded, staring intently at the screen. Several blobs shifted about. “Is there more than one baby?”
“It doesn’t appear so. Just the one.” Dr. Warren, an older man looking to be in his mid to late fifties, took several screen shots. He froze one. “Here. See this? This is your baby’s spine. And her head. This—”
“Wait! Do you already know if it’s a girl?”
“The sex organs are developing but it’s a bit too early for determination. You’d be able to confirm that in another four weeks.”
Maybe it was because he referred to the baby as a girl, but I just knew he was right. I could feel it with all my body that the life inside me was a daughter.
“Oh, okay. Please go on.”
Dr. Warren pointed, “Your baby is about 3 inches long. The size of a pea pod.”
Sweet pea.
“Do you want to know more?” I didn’t understand his cautious tone until he said, “If you’re going to terminate then the cutoff is approaching. You will need to make a decision soon.”
Gaze transfixed to the screen and ears already attuned to the steady heartbeat, I firmly replied, “I’m keeping this baby.”
Dr. Warren’s voice shifted. It became less neutral and more personable. “Your baby will be busy this month. Her brain is growing and developing the part that’s in charge of memory and problem-solving. Soon she’ll be able to hear your heartbeat and even your voice. Your baby’s muscles and organs are all here too, but they’ll continue to develop.”
“All of that already?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Dr. Warren moved the wand, pushing deeper against my stomach. “Now you mentioned you missed your last two periods?”
“Yes, but I just realized it. Things have been rather crazy.”
“Hmm. I spoke to Marcus. He tells me he’s been tracking your diet and bloodwork, making sure you’ve been taking vitamins.”
I waited for the other shoe to drop. Questions about my relationship with Marcus, why he was tracking me in the first place…
“Between your timeline and what I see on screen, I’d say you’re about 13 weeks. Your due date will be set 27 weeks from now.”
Almost seven months. “But if I’m three months preg
nant…”
“There’s a two-week variation for estimation purposes.”
“Oh.” Which meant I had a little over six months until I was due. Oh my. My world just sped up. “Dr. Warren, I have concerns.”
“Okay. What are they?”
This was going to be hard. My eyes welled with moisture and my voice wobbled. “I wasn’t exactly healthy when I got pregnant. I wasn’t taking care of myself and I…I drank. Not a lot, but the thing is I drank while pregnant. I wouldn’t have done it if I even suspected I was carrying!”
“Easy, Risa. Stress isn’t good for either of you.”
I swallowed. I was already being a shitty mother because my current life circumstances were nothing but stress 24/7.
“The ultrasound looks good. There’s no indication of deformity—”
“Such as?”
“Such as a cleft palate or club foot. The baby’s heartbeat is strong. Your checkup confirms all your vitals are strong. The bloodwork information Marcus provided is good too. However, we can do an amniocentesis. This only requires about one fluid ounce from the sac. As always, there is a risk—”
“How much?”
“Nominal. We can do it now, if you’d like. Or you can think it over. With the amnio we’ll be able to test for certain birth defects such as Downs Syndrome, Cystic Fibrosis, Muscular Dystrophy, and Spina bifida.”
Oh my God.
Something in my face inspired Dr. Warren to assure me in a rush, “Risa, I have no reason to see any of this applying to you or your child. Everything looks good. Considering you don’t have a family history of birth defects, and while consuming alcohol isn’t ideal, the amount and duration was minimal, so I don’t believe you’re a high-risk pregnancy.”
The doctor’s words took me off the proverbial cliff, but there was still so much I didn’t know. I didn’t know Damian’s history. I wasn’t sure if he knew it.
If I had to do a quick risk analysis then my con column wasn’t looking too good.
I’d been involved in a secret relationship with Damian, one that went south as soon as he’d almost been assassinated.
My family didn’t know anything about it. In fact, they didn’t know anything about where I really was.
