Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 53693 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 268(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53693 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 268(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
I look down at my phone to see she’s checking in to let me know she got to class okay. We agreed that it was a little excessive to make her go to school with her bodyguard, even though it made me a nervous wreck to let her go on her own. But she keeps her tracking watch on at all times and checks in with me regularly to let me know she’s safe.
We haven’t heard anything from Niko since that day in the park, and I’m grateful. The packages and notes stopped coming, and I finally felt like I could breathe again. I’ve learned, though, that I have to trust Kat with her own safety. Because she isn’t a porcelain doll. She’s proven she can take care of herself as well as she can take care of me. And she takes care of me very well.
She’s as fierce as I ever thought. She and her brother, Steve, have begun a tentative reconciliation. I don’t hate him as much as I used to, and I know it’s not my business to pry into her relationships. I just feel especially protective of her when he’s around, knowing he was once so close to Niko.
Niko, who was sent back to Russia after his indiscretions against Kat. Classic oligarchy. They would never really punish him. They think their family is above the law, but I made it very clear that he needed to be taken care of or I would take care of him myself.
My men dropped him off at the hospital after the attack and called his parents. I came to meet them the day after I proposed to Kat, telling them what their son had done to my fiancée. His father was furious, getting in my face and asking me who the hell I thought I was. He cursed at me, spat at me, and threatened my life.
I simply laughed in his face because it was clear he had no idea what I was capable of. He thought he had all the power, but I had Vlad dig up every crime his family had ever committed and compile a very large envelope of evidence. The Zaitsevs had a lot of power back in Russia, but we aren’t in Russia. One anonymous tip, and the FBI, CIA, and Homeland Security would be on their asses immediately.
Zaitsev knew when he was beaten, and he agreed the family would take care of it. I told him that if they didn’t take care of it in a pleasing way, I would be forced to intervene. He didn’t like that at all, but I appreciated the way his face paled at my threat. He didn’t like me or respect me, but he feared me. That was enough to ensure Kat’s safety.
Our lives have been much more peaceful since then. Kat started school a few weeks ago, and I’ve seen a spark inside of her that was missing. It’s so clear that she loves learning and enjoys her chosen field. How could I ever want to deprive her of that?
Even when the sickness started, she made herself work through it and attend all her classes. I’ve been worried, telling her to slow down, but she reminds me every day that she worked too hard to get to where she is now. She won’t let a little stomach bug stop her from finishing her education.
I can’t wait for her to realize it isn’t a stomach bug.
When I come home from work a few days later, I see that she’s sitting on the kitchen counter, waiting for me. I think back to a few months ago when she was covered in nothing but whipped cream, but tonight, she’s fully clothed with a look of panic in her eyes. She knows.
I approach her slowly, not wanting to startle her. She looks up at me in a daze, and her expression is shy.
“Hi,” she whispers.
I walk over and kiss her, showing her that she’s safe to share her news.
“Hi.”
“So, I know why I’ve been sick,” she says hesitantly, holding up a positive pregnancy test for me to inspect.
I smile, chuckling to myself. I don’t give away that I’ve known all along. I just wrap her in my arms and pull her tightly against me. “That’s amazing, baby,” I whisper into her ear. “I’m so, so happy.”
She pulls back and looks at me apprehensively. In her defense, I’ve had a lot more time to process this news than she has. This is all new and frightening for her, but I’m more confident in our relationship than ever. That little boy or girl is going to be incredibly loved.
“Are you crazy?” she asks, shocked. “You’re happy about this? I’m freaking terrified.”
I kiss her again and rub my hands down her arms.
Kat has survived a lot in her life. This is one thing she doesn’t need to be afraid of. She’s going to be an amazing mother. I’m already picturing our lives together, imagining what it will be like to have a little one running around. It’s more than I could ever hope for.