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Mafia's Runaway And Pregnant 14
Reaching into the pocket of her gray dress, she hands me a small gold wrapper. “Eat. The sugar will help.”Opening the tiny package, I see it’s a hard caramel candy. My mother used to give me these when I was little. Sucking on the candy refuels my energy. “Thank you.”Layla settles beside me on the sofa. She folds her hands neatly on her knees. “You’re troubled about the marriage.”My chuckle is stale and mirthless. “Was it that obvious?”“You must remember that this is all to defeat Yannick.”“Asher said that, yes.”“It’s the truth.”“He also said I’ll be free when it’s over with.” I keep my voice casual. “What if getting rid of him takes a long time? Months or even years.”Layla’s smile is surprisingly tender. “One must do unthinkable things for survival, child.”My molars crack the candy in two; I chew it loudly. “I’m not a child.”“No,” she agrees, looking out at the dresses. “You’re a woman who must choose what she’ll wear to her wedding. That’s not a task for the weak-hearted.”
Mafia's Runaway And Pregnant 15
AsherWalking through my rose garden is a habit of mine. There’s nothing here but the sky above and green leaves from every angle. Free of distractions, it’s my favorite place to go when I need to think. I’ve come here a lot lately.Why did Layla send me away? I was pissed at the audacity of her command. But one look at the severity in her eyes, and I knew there was a reason for her to throw me out. Thinking back, I recall the way that Camila was acting. The dimple at the base of her throat was flexing madly as she stared at the dresses. She can act strong all she wants, but I know what fear looks like. I was raised around it.“—incredible tits!” a male voice cackles.“I know, man, I saw them,” another replies.The voices come from just ahead of me, where the garden circles a small water fountain. I recognize two of my soldiers. Slowing down, I peer around the corner, confirming it’s Kostya and Niro. They’re leaning on the weather-worn stones that make up the vase shape of the fountai
Mafia's Runaway And Pregnant 16
CamilaI open my eyes, blearily gazing around my bedroom. At first, I don’t notice the young woman hovering at my bedside. When I do, I throw my blankets back and fall off the mattress with a scream.“Please.” She lifts her hands to show she’s not armed. “Calm down!”“Who are you?” I demand, rising to my feet, clutching my silver silk nightgown. “What do you want?”The woman is my age, or close to it. She’s wearing the same starched dress that every other staff member wears. Her pale blonde hair, light as corn fibers, makes her tan skin seem richer. “Miss, I’m Masha. I’m your attendant this morning.”“My what?” Looking from side to side nervously, in case there are others hiding in my room, I approach her around my bed. “I don’t need an attendant.”“Of course you do.” She blinks, giving me a stare that hints she thinks I’m the weird one. “You’re the future wife of Mr. Volkov.”Hearing that makes my whole body flush. “So what? He’s the boss here, not me.”“Miss … you’re my boss as well
Mafia's Runaway And Pregnant 17
AsherI’m sipping from a cup of coffee in the small library on the first floor. I don’t trust anyone not to spill on the old books. Their yellowed pages pack decades of stories that can’t be replaced. I’m the only person in the mansion who cares about these things. Thus, I’m the only one with the luxury of enjoying a good drink among the shelves.Setting the mug down on the table, I flip the textured paper over, starting to read the next line, when a series of loud footsteps alerts me. Lifting my eyes, I watch Camila marching toward me. She’s moving with purpose, her head low, arms pumping. There’s a gracefulness in her steps, and my eyes are drawn to her long legs.“I want to see your phone,” she says firmly as she stops in front of me.My eyebrows arch up at her bossy tone. “I see Layla’s lessons are rubbing off on you.”Camila’s pretty mouth turns down at the corners. Her voice comes out gentler—as if she’s trying to show remorse, which is very unlike her.“Sorry,” she says. “I jus
Mafia's Runaway And Pregnant 18
CamilaThe dopamine high I’m on lasts a whole day.He’s going to let me keep the studio!Well, not keep it keep it; he still plans on owning it. But that’s only paperwork. The dance studio won’t be bulldozed. It will remain as it was. My memories of that place—and by extension of my father—won’t be turned to dust. He’ll probably pay for upgrades too! He wants to turn a profit, and I know I can do that with a little extra help. I can’t wait until I can go back to teach the students. Mom will faint at the news.But why did Asher have a change of heart? I’ve been trying to figure it out since the conversation ended. All I did was tell him the truth about my father. Asher, normally as frozen as an Alaskan mountain, softened as he listened. The sternness around his mouth melted away. He didn’t look like the man who threw me inside a car or held me down on a kitchen table by my throat.Asher looked … human.“Miss, your bath is ready,” Ollie calls out.Moving from my bed to the bathroom, I m
Mafia's Runaway And Pregnant 19
CamilaI wake up thinking about the nursery.Pulling my blanket over my head, I hold my breath, trying to push the thoughts away. Why is that room abandoned? There’s no other way to look at it. The layer of dust on every surface screamed neglect. Why would Asher have a place like that in his home? Layla doesn’t let her staff leave smudges on the drinking glasses. For her to ignore?—Layla!Throwing the blanket off me, I jump to my feet. Flush with purpose, I quickly dress myself and then hurry out into the hallway. If anyone knows something, it’s her. Whether she’ll tell me anything is up in the air, but I’m too curious not to try.Searching the mansion up and down, I finally spot her through a window near the front door. She’s bent over, looking at something in the lush grass near the garden. Jogging to the entrance, I turn the knob and open the door without hesitation.A thick man with a shaved head is waiting on the top step. He’s playing on his phone. When he notices me, he goes r
Mafia's Runaway And Pregnant 20
AsherLayla is standing at the end of the hall. She’s facing a painting, pretending to study the swirling brushstrokes that create the colorful grapevines.“There she is,” I say. “The little spy herself.”“I was doing what you did before, overhearing.”I scoff at her bravado. “It’s good that I did.”Layla turns toward me, her face emotionless. “Oh?”A bark of a laugh explodes out of me. I ruffle my hair. “I told her the truth.”“You did?”“Yes. I can’t believe it either. I’m still shocked at how easy it was. The words just spilled out of me, Layla. Why was it no trouble to tell her about Kristina?”The stiffness in her face blends away until she’s smiling kindly. Her shoes glide across the runner, not disturbing a single fiber. She’s able to move with the grace of a deer. Placing her hand lightly on my wrist, Layla widens her smile.“It was easy because Camila has given you a new purpose.”I withdraw from her touch. “Explain.”“Ever since Kristina died, you’ve been adrift in an ocean
Mafia's Runaway And Pregnant 21
CamilaI’ve created a trench in my bedroom carpet from pacing back and forth. It’s impossible to hold still. I’m going to leave the mansion! I’m ... going on a date with Asher.What a strange thought. I’d never have predicted I’d go out with him willingly a week ago, but things have changed between us. Not drastically—but enough. The gnarled weed grown from hatred has been trimmed down to reveal the fresh, spring green beneath.And with enough nourishment, it might even blossom into a garden.Running my hands over the silky, burgundy gown with its high slit on my right hip, I check myself out in the full-length mirror again. I’m not sure where Asher is taking me tonight. Out of caution, I’ve dressed in something formal without being pretentious. For all I know, he could be dragging me to a bar like Topher’s.Right. Don’t get too fuzzy-headed, Camila. This could be another one of his plans.Frowning as some of my giddiness fades, I retrieve the black clutch I’ve stuffed my phone and wa
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