Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 106541 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 533(@200wpm)___ 426(@250wpm)___ 355(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106541 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 533(@200wpm)___ 426(@250wpm)___ 355(@300wpm)
I drift my eyes from my fingers entwined in my white, free-flowing dress to Kirill when he asks, “How much longer until she starts showing?”
“She is only a few weeks along,” the doctor announces while removing the blood pressure cuff from my arm. “First pregnancies take longer. But she is encroaching the safe zone, so we won’t need to be as worried about miscarriage soon.”
“And the gender?” Kirill doesn’t sound happy.
“It is usually determined at twenty weeks gestation, but there are blood tests we can do—”
“Do them,” Kirill interrupts, clicking his fingers before he shifts his focus to Nun Ellery. “Then organize events according to the results. If she is carrying my son, she should be included in the celebrations. She is, after all, my wife.”
This is the first-time possessiveness has been in his tone when referring to me. He certainly didn’t have any issues forgetting I am his wife when he entered a back room at a strip club to pick the three strippers he wanted to take home with him.
He doesn’t have an ounce of respect for women, and it has me wondering why Ghost thought this would be the best place for me to lay low.
I haven’t seen him once in the past month, and it is hurting me more than I thought possible.
My pain turns physical when the doctor jabs me with a needle. The pinprick is the most I’ve been poked and prodded in the past month, but it has me out of my mind with worry.
Urine can be tainted.
Blood can’t.
“How long will it take for the results to come back?” I ask, my voice as low as my pulse.
“Usually a week. I can ask for a rush order.”
“That’s okay. We don’t need it yet.”
“Get it done as soon as possible.” Kirill locks his eyes with mine. “I already have one unworthy mouth to feed. I don’t want another.”
"I’ll see what I can do.” The doctor pulls out the syringe, labels the vial so it won’t get confused with the other pregnant ladies who live here, then stands. “I need you to rest before our next checkup. Your blood pressure is a little high, and you have a small trace of protein in your urine.” When my eyes shoot to his, he smiles. “It is minute, but it would be best to lower your stress as much as possible.”
That’s easy for him to say. His every move isn’t scrutinized by men brandishing assault weapons.
Kirill doubles the unease surging through my veins when he murmurs, “I’ll take care of her.” He locks his eyes with mine. “Come, Pаб.”
He doesn’t give me the chance to object. He yanks me up by my arm before marching me down the stairs and veering me toward a section of the mansion I’ve not been granted permission to venture down. It is just as guarded—if not more—as the rest of the house.
I internally curse when Kirill guides me through an expansive bedroom before stopping our rushed tour at the attached bathroom. The over-the-top opulence doesn’t scare me, it is his murmured comment when he switches on the faucet of the large claw-foot tub. “A bath with oils works wonders for overworked bodies, right?”
My time on the ship with Vera had me forgetting who she works for. She is not my friend. She is Kirill’s head service person.
“I don’t have oils, but perhaps they won’t be needed since it’s your stomach I want swollen this time instead of your cunt.”
“I was in pain after the miscarriage,” I lie, saying anything to keep me alive.
I’ve never wanted to die, but my desires are even stronger since my time in the bathroom with Ghost last month.
My life is nothing close to ordinary, but it could be worse.
“My periods have always given me hell.”
Kirill checks the water’s temperature like he’s a doting husband before shifting his focus to me. “Then it’s lucky for you, you won’t get them anymore, isn’t it?”
His reply startles me more than it fills me with panic. I’ve not had a period since coming to this mansion. I should have had two by now.
“Not too hot as per the doctor’s instructions.” He doesn’t look at my face while barking out his next set of orders. “Now in you get.”
“I—”
“In!” His roar shudders my heart out of my chest. “Before I find a better use for a bathtub full of water.”
When he steps closer to me to ensure I can see the threat in his eyes, I gingerly step into the tub. I’m clothed, but my nightgown clings to my skin the instant it soaks up the first sloshes of water. It exposes my nipples and the lines of my vagina to a man I was assured would have no interest in them, even with his eyes not leaving the apex of my thighs for almost a minute.