Page 53 of Pregnant Virgin of the Bratva

I laugh once. It’s a little watery.

Talia gives me a look, then grabs a napkin and starts scribbling something in pen. When she slides it across the table, I frown.

It’s a to-do list:

1. Find prenatal vitamins

2. Take long naps

3. Eat something that isn’t toast

4. Don’t panic

I read it three times before smiling.

“Thanks,” I say.

“Number five is call me. Anytime.”

I nod.

We sit a while longer. I start to relax again. The air smells like cinnamon and sugar, and the chair creaks when I lean back. Talia’s telling me about her roommate’s emotional-support ferret when something tugs at my attention.

A flicker of movement in the corner of my eye.

I glance toward the window.

There’s a man across the street, leaning casually against a lamppost. Dressed plain. Too plain. Eyes shielded by sunglasses even though the sun’s long gone behind the buildings.

He doesn’t look at me, not directly, but my heart kicks anyway.

I look back to Talia. She’s still talking.

I nod, smile, say something. I think it’s coherent; but my fingers tremble slightly where they rest around the mug.

Even here, surrounded by warmth, by friendship, by laughter—I’m never really out of reach.

I try to stay in the moment. Try to keep my eyes on Talia, on her animated hands and the way she keeps shifting her mug like she’s going to sip it again, even though it’s long gone cold.

The man across the street is still there. He’s closer now. Leaning off the post, walking slowly along the curb like he’s just another passerby. His hands are in his coat pockets, shoulders hunched, head ducked like he’s checking his phone—but I feel it. That prickle. Like I’m being watched even when I look away.

Now I’m not so convinced he’s one of Kion’s.

I force myself to smile again. A little wider. A little more convincing. Talia doesn’t seem to notice the tension in my jaw or the way I’ve subtly angled my body to keep the window in view.

She’s talking about something light—some article she pitched, I think. I nod along, pretending I’m with her.

Another man crosses my line of sight. This one gets into a car across the street. Black sedan. Tinted windows. It doesn’t drive off.

I tense.

Talia pauses. “Hey, are you good?”

I blink and drag my gaze back to her. “Yeah. Sorry. Just… long day.”

She smiles, but it’s a little dimmer now. “You sure?”

“Positive.”