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Mafia's Runaway And Pregnant 69
Our monsters may wear different faces. But they’re the same.He has done to you what Yannick did to me.Placing my palm on my stomach, I remember the sound of my baby’s heartbeat. Our baby’s heartbeat. It’s different ... We’re different ... Asher isn’t Yannick.Isn’t he?Frowning, I strip down and climb into the tub. The water is on the edge of scalding, but it’s exactly what I want. I welcome the heat, hoping that it offers the distraction I need. But no matter how deeply I sink into the water, no matter how deeply its heat penetrates me, my worries refuse to vanish.The only way to know is to find out the truth about Pyotr.I need to know if Asher murdered a child.You can always ask him … my own voice whispers. But I can’t. I won’t know that he’s not going to spin me another web of lies. Even though Asher said he wouldn’t ever tell me lies, the fact that he kept Pyotr out of his story is enough to shake my belief in him.I don’t want to be scared of asking, but this dread I’m feeli
Mafia's Runaway And Pregnant 70
AsherIf I could live the rest of my life with my hands never leaving Camila’s body, I would. The space between us—tiny as it is—is pure agony. It leaves me feeling cold, as if I’m being covered in black frost. But I have to endure the distance for a few seconds longer, just enough time that I can slip the prayer beads onto her wrist again.Camila lifts her arm and looks at the wooden beads with an inscrutable expression in her eyes. Seeing them on her wrist again slows my heartbeat somewhat. It looks right. It feels right. And I can’t help feeling the same thought that rushed through my head during our wedding:Somewhere along the way, Camila became mine.Not just as something to possess, but as someone to treasure.To shield.To protect.To love.The thought goads me to action. I close the tiny gap between us, positioning myself over her on the bed. As soon as I do, I embrace her again, tightening my grip around her back and waist.“God, I missed you,” I whisper into her hair.Her t
Mafia's Runaway And Pregnant 71
CamilaSettling on top of him, my thighs on either side of his hips, I tease his shaft behind my back. I’m fascinated by his face. His expression is one of wanton joy. I can feel his hands tighten their grip against mine, as if he’s on the verge of fighting me for control.Suddenly, I feel nervous. I’m too aware of my belly and how it’s starting to protrude. The bump is subtle, but at this angle, I can see it clearly. The pregnancy is starting to change me, and although I have never been a shallow person, I’m feeling very much not in my own skin.What is he thinking? He said I was beautiful, but ...Asher speaks, interrupting my thoughts. “Stop it.”I startle. “What?”“Stop doubting yourself,” he replies. “I can see it in your eyes. You’re thinking about how you look. Stop it.”Blushing, I do the opposite and think more. I release his hands and circle my arms around to block his view of my naked body.Asher snarls, gripping my wrists to force my hands away.“Asher—”“Never hide yourse
Mafia's Runaway And Pregnant 72
AsherThe meeting is arranged quickly. Calling Adriana was the first hurdle, because as soon as she heard from Camila, neither of them could talk between the shouting and crying. It took longer than expected for her to convince Jonah to escort her to my mansion.Evidently, he’s not as sold on seeing Camila in person as Adriana is. I suspect seeing her is a reminder that his way failed, and not because he was unable to protect her. It makes me respect him a lot less. But this isn’t about him.The meeting was supposed to start ten minutes ago. But for the last fifteen minutes, Adriana has clutched Camila in her arms, alternating between crying and chiding her.“I thought you were dead!” she sobs for what seems like the millionth time.Smiling indulgently, Camila pets her hair. She catches my eye, and I give her a look. We’re running short on time here. She fixes me with one of her own that tells me to relax. But it’s hard for me to do that.Especially because Jonah keeps tapping his pen
Mafia's Runaway And Pregnant 73
CamilaThe mansion has a surplus of rooms that are decorated but unused. Lately, the whole place feels like a ghost house. Things moving, being rearranged, but no people actually seen. I haven’t spoken to any guards or much of the staff since being back. It’s like they’re avoiding me.Or maybe I’m subconsciously avoiding them ... I haven’t been the most approachable person. My mind is fixated on my mother, my baby, and nothing else. I’d avoid me too, I think.Adriana glances around, then locks the door. We’re alone, but her voice is a whisper.“Okay.” She pats the small, double-seated brown leather couch, sitting once I do. “What’s so important that you pulled me away?”Preparing myself to rattle off a hundred things, I’m surprised when I can’t manage a single word. There’s too much to discuss, and it’s all tangling up on my tongue now that the chance to speak is finally here. Breathing out a few times, I try to calm myself.“It’s funny. I don’t even know where to start now,” I say, l
Mafia's Runaway And Pregnant 74
AsherDAYS LATERI’m torturing a lot of people these days.It’s not something I love, though violence has a special place in my heart, much as I’m loath to admit it. I was never so naive as to think that taking over the Bratva from Yannick would be a bloodless venture. But to have to create precise suffering for my enemies is different than a battle for my life.The upside is I’m quite good at it.“Did you think that betraying me would end well for you, Mikhail?” I walk around my former brigadier, where Mila has tied him to a chair. The ropes cut across his tan, long-sleeved shirt, digging into his stocky muscles. The constriction is enough to leave his limbs numb without doing permanent damage.I’d hoped we’d snag one of my defectors, but Mila surprised me by capturing one so quickly. She spotted him when he was ordering a hot dog from one of the many carts downtown and stalked him until he was out of view of anyone who’d care before she knocked him out and carted him back to my plac
Mafia's Runaway And Pregnant 75
Camila“What were you two up to down there?” I ask again, though it sounds less like a question and more like a demand.They were clearly up to something in the cellar. Why else chase me out? Why else keep Mila from following? The last time I was among the wine casks, it was to have a secret meeting with Adriana. That place is designed for secrets.And I’m not naive enough to ignore that when the Bratva is involved, secrets can hurt.Secrets can kill.Asher is wearing a basic black button-up shirt. The kind he normally would pair with a jacket, especially in this weather. His hand is still on mine. And I don’t pull away, not yet. Not until I know where things are heading.“We found out that Yannick has restarted his brothels,” he finally says.Horror jolts through my bones. “How did you learn that?”He stares at the ceiling briefly before he turns to me. “Mila told me.” He pauses a beat, like he expects more questions from me. Before I ask any, he adds, “It can’t stand. We have to shu
Mafia's Runaway And Pregnant 76
CamilaIt’s nice to have the freedom to explore the gardens. Ever since being back, I’ve noticed there are fewer guards lurking around. Asher mentioned defectors. Perhaps that’s why it’s so barren now.Wandering the rows of lush roses that hang, ever resilient, against the onslaught of winter brings me solace. But a cage is still a cage, even if you can see the sky.What am I supposed to do?Asher has made his goal as clear as ever. It’s changed very little from what it started as. Yes, he wants Yannick dead. He also wants to dismantle his sordid business like he did years ago. Both are noble things, especially once I think about the poor women forced to work in the brothels. Are all of them marked with tattoos like Mila?Strolling around the curve of a water fountain, I notice the stream has been shut off to make sure the pipes don’t freeze. I wish it was still running at full force now. I’d have liked to sit on the edge of the smooth stone, listening to the bubbling water.I’ve alwa
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