Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 34410 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 172(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34410 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 172(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
Alix took a deep breath, noting the entrance of the theme park. She watched as one of his men stopped at the main gate. She wouldn’t be able to make her escape to a pharmacy there, which annoyed her because there was one right across the street. She had to wonder if that was purposefully done for children and adults at a theme park.
Stepping inside the gate, she noticed it was noisy. Even though it was midafternoon, it was still busy. Sofia held her hand as well as Dmitry’s as they made their way through the park. The first ride they came to, Sofia wanted on. Alix got nervous, but Dmitry paid the price and helped Sofia on. There was no room for adults, so they stood on the sidelines. She couldn’t help but watch every single person around them with suspicion.
The ride went smoothly and Sofia was already having the time of her life. For the next hour, Alix kept trying to find a reasonable excuse to leave, but there was none. They all rode on the age-appropriate rides, Dmitry insisting she ride as well. When she could, she got him to ride on at least one.
After the second hour passed, Alix realized she could go to the bathroom. Sofia wasn’t interested in using the bathroom as she was enjoying some cotton candy. This was her opportunity.
“I’m going to use the bathroom,” Alix said.
“I’ll take you,” Dmitry said.
“No, no, that’s fine. Let Sofia enjoy her candy without seeing the lines of traffic.” She’d find a way to sneak out, go to the pharmacy, grab a test, sneak back, use the bathroom, take the test, and be back without a hitch. Dmitry didn’t have to know.
He nodded at her and she took off, going in the direction of the bathroom. The moment she was out of sight, she headed toward the main gate, being careful as she saw not one, but two of Dmitry’s men there.
There were a group of people laughing and she was about to join them, when an arm grabbed her, stopping her from leaving.
“Planning your escape?” Dmitry asked. He looked angry.
“No.”
“Then why were you going to leave?”
She opened her mouth, closed it, and then glanced across at the pharmacy.
He’s never going to marry you. He doesn’t love you. You’re just a nice fuck.
There was no point in lying. “I was hoping to use the pharmacy,” Alix said.
“Why?”
She felt her cheeks start to heat. “I’m … late.”
“Late?”
She put a hand on her stomach. “You know, late late. I was going to get a pregnancy test.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
She rolled her eyes, feeling like the world had shifted beneath her. “I can’t prove it now, can I? I’m late and I know it could mean I’m either really stressed or very much pregnant with your baby.” She laughed. “I bet you don’t even believe me, do you?” She felt tears fill her eyes. “And this isn’t helping because aren’t women who are pregnant, emotional, even more so than usual, because if that is the case, then ta-da, I might be pregnant.”
Dmitry didn’t say anything. He glared at her.
“We’re going back to Sofia. We’re going to finish this day, and then we’ll get you a test and we’ll deal with it.”
Alix didn’t like how he said he’d deal with it. What did that mean? Would he force her to give up her child? How could she have gotten herself into this mess?
Chapter Nine
Dmitry stared down at Alix later that night. Sofia had already been put to bed, which had been a task and a half. She was still so excited about going to the theme park. He’d known something was wrong with Alix, but he didn’t exactly know what.
Going to the theme park had been a risk, but he’d wanted to take Sofia out at least once that summer. He recalled his own father taking him to the theme park once. That had ended in disaster as they had a rat intent on taking out his father. It was one of the last times he recalled going out as a family. His father spent more time training him for the life he was going to be part of. He didn’t blame his dad for it. Their world was not kind, but cruel.
“I wasn’t going to leave,” Alix said. “All I wanted was the pregnancy test.”
“I believe you,” he said.
He didn’t even hesitate as he said that. At first, he had been suspicious but again, Alix hadn’t given him any reason to doubt her.
“You believe me?”
“You have no reason to lie to me.”
Alix licked her lips. “And what about the baby?”
“I know I’m the father.” He hadn’t told her that on the night he had intended on taking out George, in an effort to save his own life, George had told him he hadn’t slept with her. That as far as he’d known, Alix had been a virgin.