Page 41

It amazed me how much life could change in just a few weeks. One month, to be precise, after I’d signed that contract. There was no more frantic packing, no more scouring for hidden mob threats in every shadow. Nova and I had moved into a new condo, perched high in a downtown tower with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the city skyline. The rent was exorbitant, but between my hush-money settlement from Marciano and Nova’s decent salary at her law firm, we could afford it. And if I was being honest, it soothed my nerves to look out over the sparkling city lights each night, reminding myself I was in a world far removed from any dingy biker clubhouse.

I stood before the mirror in my bedroom, sleek white walls, minimalist décor, plush gray rug over lustrous floors, rummaging through my jewelry box for the perfect necklace. Outside, dusk settled over the skyline, the last rays of the sun glinting off the steel towers. My reflection showed a woman in a fitted black cocktail dress, hair done in loose waves. I cocked my head, assessing the look. Mark would approve, I thought. He liked me in classy attire, something that whispered “professional” even outside the office.

But something else nagged at me. A subtle, insistent worry I’d been ignoring for days. I still haven’t started my period. The stress of the last few months could explain it, maybe. But a tiny voice in my head kept insisting it was something more. I tried to push the thought aside, focusing on the glimmer of the gold necklace I’d just fastened. Don’t jump to conclusions, I told myself.

Nova’s voice carried down the hall. “Lexi, I’m heading out real quick!” She popped into my doorway, wearing leggings and an oversized T-shirt, phone in hand. “Just need to grab something from the store. Be back in ten.”

I eyed her suspiciously. “At this hour? Don’t you have a date with your new fling tomorrow morning?”

She rolled her eyes. “He’s not a fling, he’s… well, maybe he is.” She shrugged, tapping her foot nervously. “Anyway, I’ll see you soon. You sure you’re okay for your big date with Mark?”

I pressed my lips together. “I guess so. Everything’s planned. We’re going to that fancy new restaurant near the art museum. Then probably back to his place.”

Nova gave me a pointed look, but said nothing. She walked up to me, rested a hand on my arm. “You’re good, though, right? Because I know you haven’t exactly…”

I swallowed. “I’m fine. He’s… I mean, Mark’s not a bad guy. It’s been a month, and he’s been respectful enough.” Guilt swirled in my gut. I’d let him kiss me, but never more than that, despite his gentle hints that he wanted more. He’s not Maverick, a voice in my heart whispered, but I shoved that down.

Nova nodded slowly. “Okay, but if you need me….”

I forced a bright smile. “I’ll be fine. Really.”

She squeezed my hand. “Right. I’ll be back soon.” And with that, she disappeared down the hallway, the front door clicking shut behind her.

I turned back to the mirror, smoothing my dress, trying to dismiss the persistent ache of memory. Maverick. I hadn’t heard from him at all since that day I signed the contract. Maybe he’d gone back to his wife , or maybe he was just living as a nomad, drifting on highways. It shouldn’t matter. We’d ended in heartbreak. He’d brought me danger on two wheels, and I chose safety.

Yet my heart still twinged whenever I let my mind linger on him too long. I forced myself to focus on Mark. He was stable, kind, and apparently ready to shield me from the underground. Sure, our relationship was mostly dinners, subtle flirting, and occasional make-out sessions but no deeper confessions of love. Perhaps that’s what I needed. A calm, rational partner who’d keep me out of the crossfire. Right?

I sighed, banishing thoughts of Maverick, and stepped into the living area. Our new condo was all angles and glass, the furniture modern and white. Nova had insisted on an open floor plan, so the living room flowed into a sleek kitchen with granite countertops. Tall windows framed a breathtaking cityscape that stretched for miles. This was a dream home, the kind I used to fantasize about in law school. It should’ve felt perfect, but I couldn’t shake the sense of emptiness.

Before I could sink too far into melancholy, Nova burst back in, panting. She held up a small plastic bag. “Got it,” she announced, breathless.

I frowned. “What?”

She shoved the bag into my hand. Inside was a pink rectangular box. A Pregnancy Test. My heart stuttered. “You… how’d you know?”

Nova’s cheeks flushed. “You know we’ve been synced up for ages. And you dropped hints all week. You kept saying you were exhausted, and you were freaking about your missed period. I thought you might as well be sure, right? Especially before your big night with Mark.”

A cold sweat broke out along my spine. “I’m probably not pregnant,” I whispered. “It was just one time with that biker.” I wouldn’t use Maverick’s name. “And I’m not planning on sleeping with Mark tonight.”

She folded her arms, eyes sympathetic. “Lex, I’m not judging, but you said you didn’t use anything. I know you weren’t on birth control.”

“What reason did I have to be?”

“So, you agree. It’s not impossible.”

I forced a laugh. “Right, okay. Let’s… let’s do this.” My hands trembled as I took the box and headed to the bathroom. The sleek white tiles glared under harsh lighting. My reflection in the mirror looked so pale, and my eyes were wide open, like a deer in headlights. How was this happening?

I read the instructions twice, then did what it said, nerves stretched as a bowstring. Nova hovered outside, occasionally calling, “You okay in there?”

No , I thought, I’m definitely not.

I set the test on the counter, waiting the required two minutes that felt like an eternity. I half-expected Nova to burst in. Finally, I mustered the courage to look.

Positive.

My stomach dropped. I bit back a cry, stumbling to unlock the door. Nova rushed in, seeing the expression on my face. “Oh, Lex,” she murmured, drawing me into a tight hug.

“It’s… I’m pregnant,” I choked out, tears slipping free. I couldn’t believe it. Or maybe I could. That night had been intense, emotional, unprotected. Of course. But the reality still blindsided me.

Nova stroked my hair. “What are you going to do?”

I stared past her shoulder, mind spinning. What could I do? I hadn’t heard from Maverick. Maybe he was content with Sky, or maybe he was long gone. My anger and heartbreak reared up, overshadowed by a sudden, fierce protectiveness for the tiny life inside me.

“I guess I’m keeping it,” I said, resolute. “But I don’t know how I’ll manage. That biker… he’s gone. He might be with that…”

My knees buckled. I sank onto the edge of the tub, tears blurring my vision. Pregnant. With Maverick’s baby. The realization slammed into me like a freight train. I thought I’d lost everything connected to him, but this damn tattoo. Apparently not. Something of his still lived inside me.

Nova gently guided me back to the living room, handing me a glass of water. I stared at the floor, the test still clutched in my hand. What am I going to do? Maverick was gone. Meanwhile, I’d begun seeing Mark, the far safer choice. But now? A baby changes everything.

“Lex, talk to me,” Nova urged. “How do you feel?”

I laid a hand on my stomach. “Terrified. Confused. I can’t believe this is happening.” My eyes stung with fresh tears. “He’s not here. He’s… I don’t even know where. And I’m carrying his child.”

Nova’s face softened. “He doesn’t know, obviously. Are you going to tell him?”

I shook my head fiercely. “Why? For him to show up with that psycho wife again? No, thanks. Besides, he’s never even tried to contact me. Maybe he’s happy in his messed-up world. I doubt he’d want to raise a baby with me, anyway.”

She grimaced. “But a father…”

My chest twisted. “I can’t do it alone, Nova. I don’t want to. But maybe… maybe Mark can step in?” The words tasted strange on my tongue. “He’s stable, wealthy, connected. If I’m pregnant, maybe it’s better to have a father figure around. Right?”

Nova’s eyes widened. “You’d pretend it’s his baby? Or you’d actually… what, seduce him into fatherhood?”

I winced. “I don’t know. I’m panicking, okay? He wants to get closer. Tonight might be the night we… go further. You thought so yourself. I could pass it off as his, eventually. Or just let him believe I was pregnant from him, if he never questions the timing.” My face burned with shame. “God, I feel awful even thinking it.”

She sighed. “It’s a big decision. Don’t do anything rash, Lex.”

Tears spilled again. “I’m so lost. I just want some semblance of normal. And I guess Mark offers that.”

We clung to each other for a while. My phone dinged, reminding me I needed to finish getting ready. Mark would pick me up soon. I pushed the pregnancy test deep into a drawer, trying not to think about the momentous truth it confirmed.