The Bratva King's Kidnapped Bride - Page 58

A jovial doctor burst into the room, a big smile on his rosy-cheeked face. He had about four strands of white hair, neatly combed across his shiny head, and carried an old-fashioned clipboard. Aleks jumped up as the doctor looked over his notes.

“Is she okay?”

“Looks like it,” he said. “Sprained wrist, mild concussion, and some minor bruises. Your main problem, young lady, was how severely dehydrated you were.”

I wondered if I should apologize, he looked so disappointed, but his face immediately transformed back into a cheery smile, the apples of his cheeks rising into the wrinkles around his eyes.

“But congratulations are in order, I think.” He paused, rising up on his toes in excitement. “You’re pregnant.”

I was so stunned that my jaw dropped halfway to my chest. I shouldn’t have been shocked by the way Aleks and I had been going at it so wildly. It was in the contract, after all. But so soon? A glance at Aleks showed he was similarly befuddled, and the news hadn’t erased the haunted look from his eyes. If anything, it increased it.

Neither of us said anything for long seconds, and the doctor cleared his throat, which was red all the way down to his crisp lab coat. “Ah, well, I’ll leave you two alone,” he said, slinking backward out the door.

Sitting up, I leaned against the stack of pillows behind me and looked down at my waistline. Was it really going to start expanding soon? When would I feel our baby kicking?

Our baby.

I should have felt trapped, not so happy I could float around the room. How was I going to get my quickie divorce now?

The answer came instantly. There wasn’t going to be a quickie divorce or a divorce of any kind. I had been lying to myself about that for weeks. In truth, I was all in. Delighted to start a family with Aleks, which meant staying with him forever. No running away. I put my hands on my stomach, unable to stop the smile that took over my face.

Was I scared of what might come because of this? Yes. Terrified. But there was no way I’d choose any other path.

It was like I’d been given a second chance after that harrowing experience, and I wasn’t about to waste it because of my fears. I turned to Aleks, who still stood rooted to the spot he’d been in when the doctor awkwardly blurted out the news. His face was frozen in a stony grimace, eyes dark with something I didn’t understand.

“Are you happy?” I asked.

Why wasn’t he jumping for joy, hugging me, and showering me with kisses? This was what he wanted. His main stipulation for our marriage. I foolishly believed it wouldn’t happen so soon, that I’d leave him behind before things became permanent. Was he secretly hoping the same all along?

“Aleks?”

He sat beside me, pulling me close, and burying his face against my neck. “I’m delirious,” he said raggedly. “I’m just still in shock. I thought I might have lost you.”

I pulled away to grip his shoulders. “But you found me, and I’m okay. Better than okay.”

His face softened, and he rested his forehead against mine. “That’s the only thing that matters.”

Well, it wasn’t the only thing. I leaned back on the pillow mound and took his hand. “What did you want to tell me before the doctor changed our lives with that news?”

I wanted him to laugh, but his forced smile faded, and once again, he looked like he had ghosts at his heels.

“It can wait until you’re home and more comfortable,” he said. “It may not matter by then. Either way, it’s nothing for you to worry about.”

Didn’t he know how much I’d studied his handsome face these last two months? I knew every expression, every flicker in his eyes. He told me there was nothing to worry about, so why did he look so worried?

He handed me a hospital cup with a straw and told me to take small sips. The ice water felt heavenly going down, and I ignored his advice, greedily slurping until it was gone. With a wry smile, he said he’d get me a refill and see when I could leave.

I was already feeling stronger and still giddy about learning I was pregnant. As much as I kept trying to make myself see how this was going to be the end of my longest friendship, I still couldn’t be anything but thrilled.

Our baby. A tiny replica of Aleks, who liked to cook with me. Or a mini-me with auburn hair and a steel trap mind for business like her papa. My head whirled with possibilities, but every time I closed my eyes, flashes of the kidnapping came back.

I was probably still somewhat in shock, just like Aleks. I’d had the worst day of my life, seemingly stuck in the lowest ravine, then whisked out like I was soaring in a hot air balloon with the news of the pregnancy. It was a lot to process, and it would probably take a while to be able to simply be happy and start planning.

I should have believed Aleks when he said danger might surround me. I was going to believe him now when he said there was nothing to worry about.

I closed my eyes, and this time, there was no shouting, no raised fists, no violence or ugliness of any kind. This time, visions of frilly cribs and baby shoes filled my thoughts as I waited for Aleks to take me home.

Our home. Where I meant to stay.