Page 143 of The Billionaire's Baby

"Don’t do anything that’ll get you into trouble." Edward walks over and slaps me on my shoulder, "You get me, Arpad? Don’t fucking screw this up?"

"Why the hell does it feel like you’re warning me, Father?"

"We were put on this earth to learn our lessons, and this, I fear, is the biggest test for you yet."

"And you, Father?" I tilt my head, "What’s the lesson you are supposed to be learning this life time?"

He flattens his lips, "Wouldn’t you like to find out?"

47

Karina

I walk out of the apartment which I had shifted into a few days ago.

I’d moved out of my earlier place, which maybe had been stupid, considering how much I had liked the place. After all, I’d have been able to clean up the place and spot any cameras or bugs he’d left behind… But somehow, when it comes to that asshole, I don’t trust myself. Or rather, I don't put it past him to pull a fast one on me.

So, I had called around to the girls and they’d come to my rescue.

Julia had moved in with Damian, so her place, which was previously Amelie’s until she’d married Weston, was free. But considering that apartment block is also owned by one of the Seven, I wouldn’t put it past them to find a way to bug that place, as well. So, I had moved into a hotel for a few days, then found this new apartment, which had been a stroke of luck, considering the best apartments seem to be snapped up so quickly.

The place is a two-bedroom apartment on a quiet side street, in a residential area. All of which suits me fine. I had also taken ample precautions, to ensure the space wasn’t bugged. Not that I expected it to be, but after what Arpad had done, I couldn’t leave anything up to chance.

As is habit, I glance up and down the road as I approach my car. Nothing seems amiss. I scowl. Is that good? That everything looks fine? Has Arpad asshole actually decided to stick to his promise and leave me alone? Would he not even watch me from afar? Or have people follow me and report back to him? I glance about again. A couple walks up the street; a mother, with a stroller and another child, a girl trailing behind her, passes me. I glance down at the baby in the stroller and my stomach flip-flops.

I could have been pregnant with his child. Good thing the alphahole didn’t manage to impregnate me then. Who’d have thought he’d turn out to be a lying, manipulative, bastard? Hell, he’s a billionaire and a venture capitalist, so I hadn’t expected him to be completely sinless… But honestly? Colluding with the Bratva... With my own family. The one thing I had tried to steer clear of, and he’d pulled me right back into the heart of everything I had tried to avoid.Stop it, stop thinking of him.He’s gone from my life, and that has to be good, right?

I smile at the baby, who gurgles back and points at me. The kid warbles something and the mother laughs. "It’s your beanie." She smiles at me. "She likes the color."

“Me too, mommy,” exclaims the older child. “I like red too.”

"Oh." I laugh as I touch my hat. It’s not a color I’d normally wear, but after alphahole had pointed out how much he liked me in it—No, that is not the reason I am wearing it. Is it?

I turn away, whip off the beanie and stuff it in my pocket, then head for my car. My foot connects with an upside-down hat that skitters to the side. Change falls out of it. "Shit." I reach down, and gather up the coins and dump them back in the upturned hat.

"Got a cigarette?" A gruff voice asks.

I glance up into the bright, shining eyes of a homeless man. His hair flows down to his shoulders while an overgrown beard covers the lower half of his face. He’s wearing a shirt that’s ragged but clean; his pants are a color that must once have been black, but now edges toward grey.

"I don’t smoke." I reply.

"Cigars then?" He asks.

I huff out a laugh, "Do I look like I carry cigars with me?"

"You look like a woman who knows what she wants."

"If only." I let out a sigh. "I thought I did, but I don’t anymore, know what I mean?"

"Confusion." He nods. "It’s a good sign."

"It is?" I scowl.

"It’s the first step to getting clarity."

Hmm. "And you know that how?"

"It’s the natural progression of things. First, the experimentation. Then the deconstruction. Followed by rationalization. Finally, the reconstruction."