Page 69 of Innocent Prey of the Bratva

Then she turns. Bolts.

“Violet!”

She disappears into the bathroom. The door slams. The lock clicks. I’m at the door in an instant, knocking hard. “Violet, what’s wrong?”

Nothing.

“Open the door.” I slam my palm against it now. “Talk to me. Violet—”

Then I hear it. Her retching. Harsh, violent, raw. It slices through me. I flatten my hand on the door, jaw clenched. “Please, let me in, Violet”

Still nothing. Just that sick sound, echoing in my head like a curse.

I don’t know what’s happening, and I don’t fucking like not knowing.

Chapter 17 – Violet

I barely make it to the toilet before I’m doubled over and vomiting everything out of me.

It’s violent. My stomach twists and empties, and I can’t even breathe between waves. My forehead sticks to the cold ceramic, and the taste in my mouth is acidic. From behind me, I can hear Kaz banging on the door and muttering some words, but I'm too weak to pay any attention to him.

When it finally stops, I stagger up, legs trembling as I reach for the sink and rinse my mouth. My reflection is ghostly. Pale lips, sweat-slick skin, eyes wide and haunted.

And then—it hits me. I blink at the mirror.

Wait.

I haven’t gotten my period.

A tremor starts in my hands. My head tries to calculate backward, through all the chaos, but the dates are a blur. I haven’t had my phone, which means no period tracking app. No reminders. No thoughts of anything except survival and Kaz.

Kaz.

I jolt back to the moment and suddenly realize he’s still outside the bathroom, his voice low and urgent.

“Violet. Open the door. Please.”

His voice cracks a little.

I unlock the door with shaking fingers. As soon as it opens, he’s there—eyes wild, hands hovering like he’s afraid to touch me too hard.

“What happened?” he asks, scanning me. “Are you hurt? Are you okay?”

I shake my head once. Then again. Then I fall into him.

He catches me instantly, pulling me into his arms like it’s the only place I belong. I sob into his chest—loud, ugly, terrified sobs.

“I think I’m pregnant,” I whisper.

Kaz stiffens, just for a second. He holds me tighter like he can shield me from the fear clawing up my spine.

“Are you sure?” His voice is quiet now. Almost reverent.

I nod against his chest, swallowing hard. “I’m not completely sure, but…the suspicion is strong. I missed my window. I haven’t been tracking anything, and with everything that’s happened…I didn’t even think about it.”

Kaz tilts my face up gently with his fingers. His thumb strokes under my eye where a tear clings. “Violet,” he murmurs, “whatever happens…you don’t need to be afraid.”

My eyes search his, wide and uncertain.