Page 24

After our incredibly romantic date last night, I’m feeling completely love-struck. My heart is so happy and full and content. I’m nervous about it because I’m falling so deeply for him, and even though he has told me I just need to be patient, it’s still risky. But it’s a risk I think is worth taking.

Because of how Leon opened up to me, I have decided that I am fully ready to tell him about our baby. I’m not scared of his reaction anymore.

I’m sure it will still be a big thing to process—I mean, we are bringing a little life into this world—but I think he will be as excited as I am.

I didn’t ever intend to keep the pregnancy a secret for this long, and now that he has given me the reassurance I needed, that things have changed, I want to tell him.

I’m really excited to tell him about our baby— and that I am in love with him.

I want to make it special.

Leon had to go into the office today, so I’ve snuck out with two guards to go and find him a very specific watch that I overheard him talking to Maxim about. He’s mentioned it more than once, and Maxim even teased him about not having one yet.

I think it will be a good way to let him know that I’ve been paying attention to the things he likes, and it’ll be a nice gesture if I can get it for him as a surprise.

I've asked the guards to take me to a part of town that I know my father can’t be seen in due to territory borders, so I will be safe, and I know my baby will be safe.

We park the car on the open street, and I walk with both of the security guards following me through the main street. I’ve been stopping at each jewelry store to see if they have the watch I’m looking for, but so far, I haven’t had any luck at all, and each of them has told me that there is a waiting list for it.

I’m getting tired and frustrated because my plan isn’t coming together the way I was hoping for. I also don’t want to be gone when Leon gets home, so I am starting to think that I might have to abandon this plan for now and head back there.

The street is busy, but most people are just going about their own business, not paying any attention to everyone else. I watch the people walking past, wondering where they are going and what they’re doing. It’s nice to be out of the house for a while. I’m feeling happy and excited for the future.

“Sasha?” a familiar voice comes from behind me, and I turn to see who it is, feeling my body grow tense as a memory pierces into me. Goosebumps break out the back of my neck.

Rico Nunes is standing there smiling at me as though we’re friends.

I pull my mouth tight. “Rico,” I say, carefully stepping away from him and glancing around to see how far my bodyguards are from me.

“Listen, Sasha, don’t worry—I’d also be looking at me like that after the stunt I pulled last time we saw each other.” He has his hands raised in the air in a defensive gesture, trying to show me that he means no harm. “I just really wanted to apologize for that. I was a complete idiot. I mean, I had no right to do that, and I know things between you and Leon aren’t any of my business. I was out of line. Also, I know it’s no excuse, but I did have a few too many drinks that night.”

I nod.

“Okay.” I don’t really know what he expects from me.

My bodyguards aren’t far from me, and they are watching closely.

If Rico tries anything, they’ll be quick enough to stop him.

“Seriously though. I’m really sorry. I’ve been hoping for the chance to tell you that. I’m really embarrassed about the whole thing, actually. Do you think we can put it behind us and start again?” Rico’s body language seems calm and friendly. He’s coming across in a genuine way, and I see no real reason for him to be trying to say sorry if he doesn’t really mean it.

I eye him up and down for a moment, then take a slow breath. He is one of Leon’s allies. He works with the Dubrov family. I guess I can move on from what happened.

“Yes. We can do that,” I say after a short pause. I know that Maxim dealt with the issue, and if Rico is genuinely sorry, then I see no harm in leaving it in the past. I’m not like my father. I don’t need to torture someone for something they’ve done if that person is coming to me and openly admitting that they were wrong.

He grins.

“Ah. That’s amazing. Thank you. I feel so much better that we’ve had the chance to clear the air. So, what are you doing in town?” he asks cheerfully, changing the subject.

“I’m looking for a watch for Leon, but I’m having no luck at all.”

“Something specific?”

I mention the brand and model and he chuckles. “It’s actually difficult to find. It’s quite rare. But you’re in luck. We have a jewelry store just a short drive away, in town. I have one available. I can take you there now if you like?”

Rico slips his hands into his pockets and waits for me to reply.

My instincts tell me not to trust him. I can forgive him, but I don’t have to trust him. I decide to follow my gut instinct and not accept his offer. I think I’m just going to go home.

I don’t know if it’s the pregnancy or all the walking, but I’m feeling really tired.

“Um, no, that’s okay. Thanks. Maybe it’s better if I just bring Leon with me to choose the watch himself in case it’s not even the one he wants.”

“Don’t be silly. If it turns out not to be the one he wants, you can bring it right back. My wife runs the store, and I know she was actually looking forward to meeting Leon’s wife. She’d be thrilled if we surprise her with a visit.”

“Your wife works there with you?”

“Yes. It’s her business. She started it and runs it, I just help out here and there. She’s the boss, though. I’ve been married to her for eight beautiful years now. You’ll like her.”

I shift my weight from one foot to the other, considering the risk of going to meet his wife and seeing if she can help me. I really want that watch. I really want to tell Leon my news.

Finally, I come to the conclusion that with my two guards with me I will be perfectly safe. And we’re in public. There are enough people around that it would be stupid for him to try something now.

“Alright. We’ll head back to our car, and I’ll ask my guards to follow yours. Where are you parked?”

“Right over there.” He points down an alleyway, and I lean around him to see. In a flash, he’s pulled out a gun, and in one swift movement, he grabs my arm and drags me off my feet. I slam into the pavement, my knees hitting the concrete and bolts of pain shooting through my legs.

My heart hammers in my chest as I roll onto my back to try and push myself away from Rico. I scream as he fires two loud shots in quick succession towards the bodyguards. People around us on the street are screaming too. Everyone is running, trying to get away. There is absolute chaos breaking out.

One of the bodyguards drops instantly as his skull explodes behind him, the other spinning from the impact of a bullet in his shoulder. He’s reaching for his gun, but Rico is faster, and the third bullet hits the guard in his throat. He’s falling in slow motion.

Get up. Run. Your baby is in danger.

I’m suddenly out of my frozen shock and pushing myself up to my feet to run.

I have to get away. I have to save my baby.

I scream again as Rico grabs a handful of my hair and pulls me against his body.

The street around us is empty now. People have disappeared. Just a few moments ago, it was a normal, busy day, but now the place is practically deserted.

“You are as stupid and gullible as your father told me you’d be,” Rico laughs.

He pulls me by the hair towards the alleyway. A white van screams towards us and the door slides open.

I start kicking and screaming, ignoring the pain of my hair being pulled, but Rico is so much bigger than I am, I know I don’t stand a chance.

He grunts as he pushes me towards the open van door, and a man inside reaches out to pull me in at the same time.

My blood is pulsing, flooded with panic. My baby.

Rico jumps into the van as the other man drags me further in and the door slams shut behind us.

My head is pulled back, and I see a syringe flash in front of my face. I feel a sharp pain in my neck and a burning sensation as something is injected into me.

Rico’s face swims in and out of focus in front of me.

“Leon should never have embarrassed me like he did. He and that cousin of his, Maxim, they should have known not to mess with me. If you mess with me, you’ll pay the price. It’s their fault I had to switch sides. Their arrogance. A lunch of fucking assholes.”

I blink, fighting whatever they’ve drugged me with, but my body feels weak and shaky. My limbs are losing sensation, and my lips feel tingly.

“Your father was more than happy to join forces with me. Now that is a man who knows what he wants and isn’t afraid to do what it takes to get it. I was wrong about him.”

“My—my father?” I mutter through numb lips, not even sure if the words are coming out clearly.

“Yes, darling, your father. He’s going to be so pleased to know I’ve—"

His words start smudging in my brain. His face twists and fades. The air around me is heavy and hard to breathe.

He’s still talking, but I can’t hear him anymore. I’m fighting to stay awake, but it’s not working.

I feel my body slump against the hard floor of the van, and then everything goes black as oblivion drags me into its depths.