AllisonAfter that night, we fall into a comfortable rhythm.Gregory's almost never home. There's always a guard on the front door and another lurking in a car out front, but they rarely speak to me. When I go for a run, the car's following as close as it can. I stick to main streets where it's easier for them to keep close tabs.Orin's always in the house. He's busy, constantly running errands for Gregory, but available whenever I need something. Which isn't very often—as it turns out, being Gregory's wife in the middle of a war for the marijuana trade on the West Coast is actually kind of boring.I sleep in most mornings. I don't even notice Gregory getting into bed at night, and he sneaks out before I'm up. We run into each other like strangers passing in a darkened alley, wary and uncertain. The memory of that sex still lingers, lighting me up whenever I need something to think about in the loneliness of having nothing to do and nowhere to go, but the intimacy we felt fades away.
Allison"Allison, you've been hiding in there for two hours," Orin hisses through my bedroom door. "Open up and talk to me. I'm freaking out!"I almost feel bad for him. I really do. Except I'm also freaking out and I have a really good reason for it.The tests sit on the edge of the tub. I can see the little blue marks through the doorway.All four are positive.And I'm spiraling into panic mode.No, I'm hurtling past panic into something worse.I'm firmly into desperation territory."Allison! I can hear you walking around. Will you just talk to me, please?"I don't respond. Even though Orin's my only friend here, I'm also very aware that he's Gregory's personal assistant, and ultimately his loyalty is with the Callahan family.My life is over. When Gregory finds out about this baby, he's going to freak. The guy's been avoiding me like the plague for weeks now, and when he realizes that he's stuck with me, that I've trapped him into this marriage with a baby, I'm terrified of what he
AllisonThere they are, the pregnancy tests, lined up on the kitchen island like sandbags stacked against a storm. Except this time, the hurricane is Gregory, and I'm the poor beach about to get battered.He paces across the living room, hands behind his back. He won't look at me, and I'm terrified of what he's thinking. I didn't ask for this pregnancy—if I could go back, I'd make him put on a stupid condom. Better yet, I'd never sleep with him to begin with.I can't change what happened. I'm carrying his baby, and even if this was never a part of our agreement, I'm keeping this child.Gregory isn't the father type. He's made that obvious.Anything that restricts his freedom has to be annihilated.He's the sort of man that would rather run away than risk getting tethered in one place, even if it means turning his back on his family.Only he's caught in this war and there's no way he could escape now.Which means he's going to force me to make the most horrible decision imaginable.And
AllisonI move out of our bedroom. By now, the purple sheets are gone, replaced by muted grays.Instead, I gather all my stuff and ferry it all into a guest room."Gregory's not going to like this," Orin says, fretting the whole time as he helps."I don't give a shit what that controlling dickhead likes or doesn't like.""I take it your conversation didn't go great?""Gee, what gave you that impression? Me moving from our room, or maybe the way I keep telling you what a piece of shit he is?""Both, mostly." He sighs as he puts my toiletries in the bathroom. "He means well. You realize that, right?""I don't care what he means." I sit on the edge of the bed, feeling more scared and alone than I've ever felt before. "He's not the pregnant one. All he gets to do is make big proclamations while I have to actually, you know, go through with all these changes."Orin lingers near the doorway, looking uncomfortable. "Look, uh, I don't know anything about being a pregnant woman, but—"I grimac
AllisonI have no choice but to pound the treadmill for an hour.Escape isn't a real option. I might be able to send Orin out on some wild-goose chase errand to keep him busy, but the moment I step out of the house, I'll be swarmed by one of the dozen men Gregory has guarding the place.I can see his goons lingering on the sidewalk outside.People give our house a wide berth.They're even in the back yard, keeping an eye on the garden.If I slip out a window, or sneak through a door, those goons will drag me back inside before I can get more than a few feet.Although I can make a lot of noise. We're in a popular, crowded city area, which means a screaming girl's going to draw a ton of attention.Gregory definitely doesn't want that.But it's not like I know where Gregory's at. I could call him, but that's not enough. I could ask Orin, but I'm kind of sick of Orin right now, and anyway, I'm not sure he'd tell me. Gregory's mysterious office is somewhere in downtown Portland, but beyond
GregoryI step out of my empty bedroom wearing my normal business suit. It's barely past five in the morning. Allison tends to sleep past eight. I move downstairs quietly and head toward the kitchen. Orin will have some coffee and toast ready for me, then I'll take my car to the office—"Good morning, husband. What time do you usually head out?"I stop in the kitchen door and stare.Allison's sitting at the island. She's in a black pantsuit and black heels, her legs crossed, coffee and cereal in front of her. A paper's open and halfway folded to the business section.I look over at Orin, who shrugs helplessly."I'm leaving shortly." I walk to the island and accept my breakfast. Usually, I'd eat in the car. Instead, I stare at my wife.She puts down the paper. "Good. I'm ready when you are.""I think you might be confused. Did our conversation last night give you the impression that you'd be joining me today?""No," she says, snapping the paper. "But I decided that you need my help."I
AllisonGregory makes me do paperwork.We reach his office that morning, and the place is crawling with thugs. Guys in dark suits roam the halls, not even pretending to be anything other than armed guards. They treat me very respectfully as Gregory dumps me in an office next to the conference room where he works, but I can tell they're keeping a close eye on me."Permits," Gregory says about ten minutes after we arrive. "Make sure they're correct.""Permits for what?""New locations. We're expanding." He turns to leave."Hold on." I jump to my feet, gesturing at the pathetic room. "There's barely any furniture in here.""This is the only office with a desk." His jawline twitches. It's obvious he's annoyed."How in the world are you running a business from here?""It isn't difficult."I roll my eyes, making an annoyed gesture around me. "Gregory. This office looks like a freaking hostage situation.""And?" He cocks his head as if he doesn't understand."Businesses are about perception.
Allison"Are you still happy you came to work for me?"I pant into his mouth as his fingers do their filthy work. "Yes. Totally. Ecstatic.""That's nice to hear." He pulls his hand back and I let out an annoyed groan, but before I can complain, he forces me forward onto my elbows."Gregory—" I start because I know what's coming next, but it's too late.His palm whacks against my ass so hard I suck in a breath."There you are," he murmurs, rubbing my stinging skin. "You know you start moaning the moment I spank you, don't you?""No," I groan, trying to turn around to glare at him, but he's got me by the hair. "I do not—"Another whack on the ass. I grunt, biting my lip to keep from doing exactly what he says I will.The filthy bastard knows I like this. I wiggle my hips, pressing back against his firm grip. He spanks me again, and again, and soon the pain's beginning to overwhelm my brain when he finally cups my pussy with his palm, holding me steady, before sinking his fingers deep in