Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 63391 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63391 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Oleg groans from the floor as Mikhail tightens his hold.
“You good?” Mikhail rasps, his face slick with sweat and mottled with bruises.
I nod once, sucking in a deep breath. “Get them to the basement and lock them down. No one in, no one out.”
“We could just take care of them now, Isaac,” he grunts. “Put an end to this once and for all.”
Every part of me screams yes, but I shake my head. “I’m not killing Katya’s father without her knowledge,” I say, sure of my decision.
Mikhail nods grimly, dragging Oleg toward the door. “I’ll make sure they’re secured.”
“Don’t be gentle,” I mutter, nodding toward Viktor. “He sold out his own daughter.”
Viktor lets out a bitter laugh, blood staining his teeth. “You should understand,” he says, his voice low. “When you’re pakhan, nothing is off the table.”
“That’s the difference between us,” I say, leaning into his space. “You see everyone as a pawn. I love Katya, and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe. She deserved more than the sorry excuse for a father you turned out to be.”
I walk out without another word.
Two of my men rush in to check on me, and I direct them to help Mikhail haul Viktor and Oleg to the basement.
“Make sure every one of their men witnesses this pathetic defeat before you put a bullet in them,” I say coldly. “I don’t want anyone thinking they fought with dignity or honor.”
My men smile as they drag Viktor and Oleg away.
Now I need to find my wife and make sure she’s okay. I’m about to ask Mikhail where he stashed her when he pulls out his phone, frowns, and looks up at me, noticeably paler.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, blood turning to ice.
“It’s Maude,” he says on a sharp exhale. “Katya went into labor, and she’s on her way to the hospital. They have my car.”
Of everything that’s happened tonight, this steals my breath.
“What?” I manage to croak.
“You need to go, Isaac,” he says, voice tight. “Your baby is coming.”
My heart stalls. A tidal wave of panic, relief, fear, and awe crashes over me all at once. I can’t process any of it.
“I’ll handle the cleanup,” he says as if reading my mind. “Just get to your wife.”
I don’t wait another second.
28
KATYA
The fluorescent lights overhead are brutal and the sterile white walls amplify every awful thought ricocheting inside my skull. I clutch the sheets until my knuckles turn bone white. The dull ache in my lower back sharpens into a relentless throb that ripples across my belly, climbing my ribs with every shallow breath.
Isaac isn’t here. I don’t know where he is or if he’s even alive. The thought spins through my head on a merciless loop, stealing every scrap of air from my lungs.
He has to be okay. I can’t do this without him.
It’s not just the labor I’m afraid of, it’s everything that comes after. I can’t raise our baby alone. I don’t want to. I don’t want to imagine a world he’s not in.
“Katya,” Maude says softly, placing a cool cloth against my forehead. “Breathe. You’re doing beautifully.”
“I can’t do this without him,” I sob, panic cracking my voice. “What if something happened to him? What if he’s hurt? What if he doesn’t make it?”
“Shh.” Maude smooths the sweaty strands from my forehead. “You know that man. He would walk through fire to get to you, and he will. He will be here.”
“You don’t know that, Maude,” I protest. “Mikhail hasn’t texted you back. We have no idea if either of them is okay, no idea what’s happened at our home. For all we know, everyone could be dead.”
My breathing turns ragged as panic swallows me whole.
“Katya.” Maude lays her hand over mine, firm and steady. “This stress isn’t good for the baby. I know you’re terrified, but picturing the worst will only make everything hurt more. And the baby will feel your stress.”
A single tear slips down my cheek. I manage a shaky nod, too choked up to speak.
Another contraction slams into me, tight and merciless, as though my insides are tearing themselves apart. I cry out, and Maude squeezes my hand, her voice a distant lullaby I barely register.
Time blurs. A nurse brings me ice chips, and the doctor checks my dilation. Almost time, she says. This baby is coming fast.
I nod again, barely able to comprehend. Isaac isn’t here. My vision tunnels.
“Katya,” Maude says quietly, squeezing my hand. “Did you hear what the doctor said? You’re at nine centimeters. You’re going to have to start pushing soon.”
“He won’t make it,” I cry. “I don’t want to do this alone.”
“You aren’t alone,” she answers gently. “I’m here with you. I’m not going anywhere until Isaac shows up. He’s going to show up.”
“Ten centimeters,” the doctor says. “It’s time to start pushing.”