Second Best (Volkov Bratva 1)

He stormed out of the penthouse suite, and I stood alone.

No one was around. I wrapped my arms around my waist.

The door opened, and in walked one of my bodyguards. He averted his gaze, and I glanced down to see I was still dressed in my pajamas.

I left the corridor, going to the bedroom. The bed was made as I’d done it after I got up. A force of habit. Sitting on the edge, I stare at the door. My birthday. Yay.

Tears filled my eyes, and the taste of Slavik was bitter on my tongue. Getting to my feet, I rushed into the bathroom. I grabbed the nearest toothbrush, dolloped on a good amount of paste, and got to work on my teeth, trying to wipe the memory from my mind. With my gaze on my reflection, I couldn’t help but look at my stomach.

I finished brushing my teeth and lifted my shirt, turning to the side. I had to be going crazy.

There was a bump. Not a huge noticeable one, but I saw it. The bump was there.

Slavik had distracted me from finding out the truth. I needed to know if I was going to be a mom, or what any of this meant.

Dropping my hands, I changed into a pair of jeans and a large shirt. I slipped on a pair of pumps and left the bedroom.

“I need you to take me to a pharmacy,” I said to the guard. I couldn’t remember his name, I thought it was David or something. After everything that happened with Sergei, I didn’t get close to the men who guarded me. It was safer for me to just be who I was, away from it all.

He pulled out his cell phone.

“There is no reason to call my husband. He doesn’t need to know his wife requires lady products.”

The man … paled.

What was it with men and lady products? It was as natural as breastfeeding.

“You’re going to drive me to the pharmacy. I can go in and be out in a flash. No big deal.” I forced a smile to my lips.

“Mr. Ivanov needs to know.”

“I know, and you can tell him after, okay? He is busy at the moment, as I’m sure you’re aware. Do you want to be known as the guard who interrupted my husband’s journey with details of his wife’s purchases at a pharmacy?”

I talked really fast, trying to get my point across.

This could backfire.

I wanted to find out if I was pregnant before I even let Slavik know I was. If I wasn’t, no big deal. If the stick read yes, then my life was about to change.

The guard hesitated, and my patience ran thin.

“Okay.” The guard went to grab my arm, but I stepped forward, rushing out of the apartment. My hands shook as we waited for the elevator.

At the ground parking, he held my door open for me, and I slid inside.

Once outside in the open air, I took a deep breath, trying not to think about what all of this could mean.

The first pharmacy we came to was still closed. The second one had a line outside, and at the third, my nerves were frayed.

He parked the car and as he made to get out, I put a hand on his shoulder. “Keep an eye on me from the car. I promise I’m just going in to buy lady products. I don’t need an entourage.”

“Mrs. Ivanov.”

“I will tell my husband lies if you don’t do this,” I said. I never threatened anyone in my life. After what my sister did, I always tried to be a nice charge. Today was not the day. It was my birthday. I was all alone. My husband had taken off. I was at the end of my patience.

Without another word, I climbed out and entered the pharmacy. I went immediately to the pregnancy tests then to the lady products, picking the brand I liked and the style.

At the counter, I paid with what change I had and offered the man behind the counter a smile.

“I hope congratulations are in order,” he said.

I smiled. “Me too.”

He winked at me, and I took my bag, exiting the pharmacy to get back into the car. The driver ignored me. I’d angered him. Guilt rushed through me, but I didn’t apologize. He took me straight to the apartment. Back inside, I ignored him and went to the bathroom.

With still shaking hands, I read the instructions on the back of the box. Sickness coiled in my gut. It was just peeing on a stick.

Minutes later, hands washed, I stared at the stick, watching as it changed, and my life as I knew it would follow suit.

I was pregnant. Slavik had done what the boss had ordered.

My son or daughter would inherit this legacy, would one day stand in Slavik’s place. Actually, no, just my son. If I had a boy.