Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 92254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
If only I had read the books, maybe I’d feel like I can handle this.
A wheelchair arrives. Haik’s marshaling orderlies and nurses like he owns the place. I’m pretty sure he’s going to get kicked out soon. They push me back and Sona comes along when I tell them she’s my aunt. I give them the name of my OB and they send her a page. They time my contractions and another doctor comes to visit, and all the while I’m sitting in a bed in a private room in Baltimore’s best hospital, but everything’s all wrong.
Arsen won’t pick up his phone.
“I know it’s early, but we’re following the birth plan,” Dr. Balian says. She’s the calmest person I’ve ever met, but even she can’t make me feel like I’m not falling to pieces. “It’s not too late to change your mind about pain medication.”
“I’m doing this natural,” I say, breathing fast through another contraction. “But please, doctor—”
“You’re pretty far along,” she says with some surprise after taking a look at me. “Further than I thought, actually.”
“Arsen’s not here. I can’t do this.”
“That baby’s coming. Keep calling him.” The doctor leaves but promises to come back soon.
The contractions get worse. I feel like I’m breaking to pieces. Only Sona’s with me, and she’s doing her best to keep me grounded, but I’m freaking out.
All wrong. All freaking wrong.
“You can do this,” she says as the doctor comes back followed by a bunch of nurses. They’re wearing scrubs and operating gear like they’re about to rip me open. “Trust me, Lena, you can handle it.”
“Arsen,” I whimper as another contraction rips through my body.
“Time to push,” Dr. Balian says. “Okay, Lena, you can do this. When I say—”
The door rips open. And it’s like I can breathe again.
“Baby,” Arsen says, running to my side. He looks like he ran a marathon to get here. “Fuck, I’m so sorry. When I heard, I got here as fast as I could.”
“Great timing, Dad,” Dr. Balian says. “We were just about to get pushing. Are you with me, Lena?”
Arsen wraps his hand around mine. I blink away tears. He nods at me, squeezing gently. “Go ahead, baby. You got this.”
I hold his hand. My big, perfect husband. Suddenly all my fears wash away. All my worry evaporates. Who gives a shit about the stupid books?
Arsen read them all, and I’ve got him.
Sona watches from over near the window.
Dr. Balian peers between my legs.
“Push!”
Chapter 44
Arsen
Six Months Later
I slot the pry bar under the floorboard and yank. The fucker cracks and nearly breaks, but it comes off and clatters away. Sweat dribbles down my back and I toss the wood into the scrap pile before moving to the next.
The radio plays classic rock and a bottle of beer sweats on top of the cooler. It’s a little past noon and Lena’s off trying to put Roman down for his nap. I rip up another piece of flooring, toss it aside, and pause to take a drink.
I remember getting whipped with a belt in the corner of this room. I was twelve years old. I still have the scars from it.
But lately, the memories don’t bother me very much.
They’re still painful. I don’t enjoy thinking about my abuse. But it doesn’t define me anymore. The darkness is still there—but now that darkness is mine. I own it and control it. The bad old days fade like paint left in the sun.
“Making good progress.” I look over as Sona steps into the room. She frowns, moving gingerly. “Might’ve been nice if you kept some flooring though.”
“Didn’t realize I’d have guests.”
She stares at me, arms crossed over her chest. I think she’s annoyed for a second. This was her house once, even if it’s mine now. Then her face softens and she smiles. I walk over and give her a quick peck on the cheek.
“Want a beer?”
“No, that’s okay. Unlike you, I still have work.” She leans against the wall and surveys the destroyed room. “I like it better this way.”
“Yeah? Should I leave it? Wouldn’t mind getting a break.”
“Aram would’ve lost his mind knowing you ripped his office to shreds.”
“Good.” I kick the pile of scrap floorboards. “It’s just a bunch of wood.”
“Just wood,” she agrees and brushes her fingers along the doorway’s molding. “Anyway, listen, word came down from the Russians. The deal’s been greenlit. Apparently, your half-brother is interested in becoming closer friends.”
“That’s great news.”
“Six months ago, I would’ve predicted that the Brotherhood would revolt if we did business with the Russians.”
“And now what do you say?”
She walks over to the cooler and lifts up my beer. “Hail to the patron.” She toasts me and takes a sip then wrinkles her nose. “God, light beer? What’s wrong with you, boy?”
“Didn’t have a mother figure to teach me how to act right.” I grin at her, and for a second, I think I’ve crossed a line.