Page 20 of The Pakhan’s Arranged Bride (West Coast Bratva Pakhans #2)

Bright morning light splashes over my pillow and warms my closed eyes.

Benedikt’s arms are wrapped around me. He’s breathing deep and slow, still sleeping. We spoke for hours last night. His constant reassurance and confidence in this pregnancy being a good thing—it’s wearing away my fears.

Lying in bed, in the safety of his embrace, I think about who I used to believe he was—and who he’s proven himself to be.

It’s not the first time I’ve realized my mistake in making assumptions about him based on rumors and what he chooses to show the world.

People call him a playboy. A manipulator. They say he does whatever it takes to get what he wants. And maybe in business that’s the persona he needs to wear to keep himself safe.

But behind closed doors, when he’s with me and with his family, I see the real him.

The soft, gentle man who cares deeply for those close to him. He goes out of his way to make sure I am comfortable and happy. He is patient and listens when I speak. He encourages me to share my fears and worries. He wants to hear how I am.

Most men find it easier to pretend things are okay when they aren’t.

Benedikt will slowly coax the truth from me, and it means the world to me that he takes the time to do that.

It also worries me, though.

My own guilt is heavy. He’s already asked me what the story is between Miron and me and I didn’t answer.

I am married to this man, about to have a family with him—and he doesn’t even know that the reason I came to Las Vegas was for revenge against Miron, nothing else.

Sooner rather than later, I am going to have to find a way to tell him the truth. And I hope that he will show the same patience he’s shown in the past.

Benedikt shifts behind me, his arms wrapping tighter around my waist as he pulls me closer. “Good morning, beautiful,” he whispers against my hair.

“Good morning.” I’m smiling. Somewhere in my heart I have hope that this whole situation has a happy ending.

“What do you have planned for today?” he asks, stretching as he wakes up fully.

I wiggle around to face him. His hair is scruffy and wild, his eyes darker than usual and his voice is deep and gruff from sleep. He looks gorgeous. Sexier than ever.

“I’m going to see the obstetrician later this afternoon, around three. Then I want to stop at the pharmacy to collect the vitamins I’m supposed to take to help with the morning sickness.”

“Do you want me to go with you?” he asks, running his hand up and down my back.

I smile and shake my head. “No, it’s just a check in for me to hear what to expect. It’s not one of the special appointments. I know you have meetings today.”

“I want to be there for you.”

I nod, rubbing my hand over his chest. “And you will be. I’ll get a calendar of appointments today, book the dates for the first scan and when we can find out if it’s a boy or a girl—you’ll come to all of those.”

He smiles, dimples appearing in his cheeks.

Benedikt leans over to kiss me and my heart races as his lips touch mine. Immediately I want more, but he’s playing it safe, being polite. Not pushing me.

“Okay, but if you change your mind, you only have to call me, and I’ll be anywhere, whenever.”

He sits up in bed and stretches again, groaning, throwing the blanket off. He swings his legs over the side of the bed and stands up.

“I’ll get breakfast ready. Come down and eat with me.”

I watch him walk towards the closet to grab a T-shirt.

Shirtless, the muscles ripple over his back as he moves, and I can’t tear my eyes away.

Damn. He’s freaking gorgeous. And I heard that during pregnancy your hormones go wild.

I hope he’s prepared for what’s going to happen.

I giggle to myself, picturing him as my slave and me making constant demands on him.

“What are you laughing about?” he asks, one brow raised towards me as he turns to look at me.

My cheeks flush pink and I bite my lip.

“Just—nothing,” I say quickly, climbing out of bed too. “What are you making for breakfast?”

He smirks at me but doesn’t ask again. “Well, seeing as you are the one with the temperamental stomach at the moment, what would you like for breakfast?”

“Mm. What are my options?”

“Toast, with almost anything on it. A bagel? Salmon? Bacon and avocado? Scrambled egg. A waffle—"

“Froot Loops,” I say excitedly, realizing exactly what I’m in the mood for.

“You can’t be serious.” He chuckles. “That’s not even real food. You’re supposed to be eating healthy for the—"

“ Froot Loops .” I say again, folding my arms over my chest.

He presses his lips together to hide the smirk. “Is this how it’s going to be? You not listening to any advice, making ridiculous demands, being sassy….” He steps close to me and slips his arms around my waist.

“Do you have a problem with that?” I ask, raising my brows at him.

He shakes his head. “No, no problem, just making sure I know what I’m in for.” He rolls his eyes. “I don’t think we have Froot Loops. I’ll send someone out to get them. They’ll be here by the time you get out the shower.”

“They better me,” I tease, enjoying this moment with him. A lighthearted, playful moment that sets my mind at ease.

He puts his finger beneath my chin and tilts my face higher.

His kiss his gentle, tender and sweet.

My entire body lights with need again and I moan softly against his lips.

He steps away. “Stop trying to distract me, Ulyana, I have important things to do,” he grins.

“Like getting Froot Loops,” I say.

“Exactly.”

***

When I come down from my shower Benedikt has the breakfast table set with colorful flowers, similar to the colors on the cereal box.

He has set up the table to look like we are fine dining, with silver spoons and fancy place mats.

“What are you having?” I ask, noticing he has a bowl in front of his seat.

“I have decided to join you throughout this journey of weird cravings,” he muses, pulling my chair out for me.

I sit down, eyeing the cereal box.

“Is that a good idea?” I ask. “Some woman crave the strangest things during pregnancy.”

“I guess it will be a culinary experience like no other.” He shrugs, sitting next to me, our legs touching beneath the table.

He brushes his hand over my leg. “The fun part is that the three of us will be eating the same things,” he grins, glancing at my belly.

I don’t know why, but this simple idea, for him to eat whatever I want, to do this together—it melts my heart.

It’s proof that he means what he says—that he is going to be there with me every step of the way to support me and share this journey with me.

I thread my fingers through his and a mischievous grin streaks across my face. “I think for dinner tonight I want pickles and pancakes.”

He clamps his jaw, his eyes filled with amusement. “It’s going to be a long nine months, isn’t it.”

After breakfast, Benedikt heads out for the office and the long line of meetings that are set up for today.

I read for a while in the morning, but I’m fidgety and I want to get out, so I decide to go to the mall and browse around to waste some time before my appointment at three.

The doctor’s office is close to the mall anyway.

My head is still buzzing. Full of worry for the future, for the plans I’ve had to get revenge on Miron, for my growing feelings towards Benedikt, for our baby and for the secrets I’m keeping from him.

I can’t figure out how it all fits together. Or what I’m supposed to do with everything. How to handle it all.

But something has to change.

My body should be my priority now.

But will my baby ever be safe with Miron lurking in the background?

The mall is busy, full of people talking and laughing and rushing around.

I take my time, browsing different stores. I find myself walking into each baby store I pass, even though it’s way too soon to be buying things for the little one yet. It’s fun to look, and it takes my mind off my worries.

There is one particular item that I pick up and put down three times, telling myself not to start shopping for our baby yet, but wanting to get it for Benedikt, as a congratulations—and to say thank you. It’s the cutest little baby outfit, a fox onesie. With ears and a tiny little tail.

I muse over it for a long time before leaving it behind. I’ll be late for my doctor’s appointment if I don’t get going now, anyway.

The doctor is literally around the corner, so I walk, leaving the car parked at the mall. I enjoy the afternoon sun and thrum of people moving past me.

The door to the doctor’s office has a little bell that chimes when I push it open and step inside.

A young girl, around my age, smiles at me from the reception desk.

“Ulyana?” she asks. “Three o’clock with Doctor Lory?”

“That’s me,” I say, my stomach jumping with excitement. Being here makes it more real. I’m really pregnant. I’ve had time to process the news, and Benedikt is happy and supportive, so instead of anxiety, I am excited.

“She’s ready for you, you can go straight through.” The girl walks around the desk and gestures for me to go down a bright white passage. “That door at the end,” she points.

“Thanks,” I say, heading in that direction.

Dr. Lory is lovely. She’s in her late forties, a beautiful woman with long dark hair and a wide smile. Her bright gray eyes are soothing and genuine. She’s bubbly and full of calm, but enthusiastic energy. She doesn’t even flinch when I ask questions that I’m sure are naive.

We sit together in her office for a long time with her answering everything, then doing a full exam, making sure I’m healthy, and prescribing better supplements more suited to my needs.

When I walk out of her office, I feel better, just because I now have a wider understanding of what’s going to happen. I also find that I’m excited to tell Benedikt everything, and I realize something important—even though it wasn’t one of the milestone appointments, I wanted him there after all.

Tonight, I’m going to ask him if he can come to every single one of the appointments, no matter what it’s for.

He should be a part of this journey, every piece of it.

I’m walking back to the car with a spring in my step and a smile on my face.

Unfortunately, that smile is stolen from me when I hear Miron’s voice.

“Hi, gorgeous. Have you missed me?” he asks, a sly drone to his words that grates through me like acid. I turn to face him.

My entire body goes rigid with fear again. This time I’m alone.

Benedikt isn’t here to whisk me away to safely.

But oddly, this is exactly the moment I’ve been waiting for since I arrived in Las Vegas. A chance to face Miron alone.

And somehow, after everything, I’m not prepared.

We’re standing on a quiet street, just off the main road that leads to the mall.

I’m so happy he didn’t catch me coming out of the doctor’s.

Instinct almost has me touching my belly protectively, but there is no way in hell I want him to know that I’m pregnant.

I glance up the side street towards the main road. That’s where the people are, that’s where I need to be if I want to be safe.

I’m too alone here.

“So, have you?” he asks.

“Have I what?” I snap.

“Missed me.” He reaches out to touch my cheek and I step back, turning my face away in disgust. “Don’t touch me, Miron.”

“Don’t be like that. You know you want this as much as I do.”

I shake my head, knitting my brows. “You still don’t see how delusional you are,” I say tightly.

Anger flashes over his face.

“I’m not the delusional one, Ulyana. You are simply hiding from the truth of what you really desire. Too scared to face your obsession with me.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” I blurt out.

“Tell me, sweet little bird, and don’t lie to me because I already know—did you come to Las Vegas to be closer to me? You married Benedikt, only as a way to get here so that you could be near me.”

My jaw drops open and I stammer in disbelief. “I don’t want to be near you, Miron,” I snap. “I want you dead.”

He laughs, and steps closer to me, I back away in a hurry, but I back right into the wall of a building and I can go no further.

He presses his body against mine and I panic, freezing, all those moments from the past flashing through my mind.

I can’t breathe, my vision blurry as he runs his hands up my arms, over my throat, and cups my jaw to tilt my head.

Fear has me locked in place, panic surging through every cell in my body.

“You belong to me, Ulyana. I’ve made that clear already. We have a past and a future. And the only reason you married that asshole was to get to Las Vegas to find a way to be with me,” he says, smirking.

He leans forward to kiss me, and I scream.

Suddenly, he’s pulled away from me and he grunts in fright. There’s shouting and a fight and men wrestling on the ground. Miron scoots backwards, then jumps to his feet and starts running.

The fear that was holding me snaps, releasing me, and I push off the wall, turning blindly, trying to figure out what’s going on.

“Jadon, take the car, follow him,” Benedikt shouts, pointing after Miron.

I blink, shocked, wondering how Benedikt came to my rescue again. I leap forward ,into his arms, wrapping myself tightly against him as tears roll down my cheeks.

Our baby is safe.

Our baby is safe.

It’s all I can think.