Page 154 of Konstantin

I turn toward the bathroom, tugging a hand through my hair, when something catches my eye. A flash of pink in the trash can. Just a sliver of cardboard peeking out.

I reach in and pull it free, and almost stumble.

“What the hell?”

A pregnancy test?

Could she be…

The breath leaves my lungs in one sharp, panicked exhale. I freeze, staring at the box like it’s going to morph into something else.

But it doesn’t. It’s real.

“Blyat!”

If she’s carrying my child and I chained her and left her there, I will never forgive myself. I flip the can over, dumping its contents onto the bathroom floor. My hands search blindly through the mess until I find the test.

The one answer to a question I didn’t even know I was asking.

I lift it and stare at the word written as clear as day.

Pregnant.

Everything stops. My world. My thoughts. My goddamn heartbeat.

Pregnant.

She’s pregnant.

With my baby.Ourbaby.

I’m going to be a father.

A smile stretches before panic grips me tight.

Staggering back, I almost collapse against the counter, gripping the edge to steady myself. My lungs can’t fill. My chest can’t contain what’s happening inside. It’s too much. Too fast. Too everything.

The thought of her carrying our child… I can’t even fathom it, but it’s real. My knees threaten to give way, too overwhelmed by what this could mean for us.

She wanted to talk to me before I left for my meeting, I remember that, but I never expected this. I thought maybe she was ready to confess who she really was. But a baby?

Taking the test and the box with me, I rush out of the room and down the stairs before the front door slams behind me. I’m halfway to my car when my phone rings, one of the men stationed to watch her on the other end.

I answer with a snap. “What?”

“Boss,” he pants. “She ran. Took my keys and my shirt.”

My jaw clenches. “You didn’t lay a finger on her, right?”

Because you’re already dead if you did.

“Net. I swear.”

“Good.”

I hang up, already cursing under my breath. I knew she’d do this. Of course she would. She’s too smart to wait around. Too angry. Too driven.

It’s okay. I planned for this. I expected it.