“No, the stupid part was telling them that I’m pregnant.”
I prop myself up on an elbow. “You did?”
She nods. “They didn’t take it well.”
“Which part did they object to, exactly?”
“The fact that I’m pregnant with another man’s baby so soon after ending my engagement. Also because we’re not married and this child will be born out of wedlock. They’re old school.”
I study her face, wondering just how deep these cracks in her heart run. “Are you okay?”
She sighs. “I’m better now that you’re here. But I do wish they were happier about this. They’re my parents, you know? I want them to be as excited about this baby as I am.” She places her hand over her nonexistent bump without even realizing she’s doing it.
“For the record,” I say, “I’m excited about this baby, too.”
She smiles, shy and warm. “Yeah?”
I nod. “I’ve always known I was going to be a father, whether I got married or not.”
Her expression falls ever so slightly. “I always knew I would be a mother, too. I just… didn’t think it would happen this way. Obviously. I assumed I would be married and settled, living in a nice house just outside the city. Like Margaret and Thomas.”
“Is that what you still want?”
She hesitates. “I… I haven’t thought about it recently.”
But I sense the lie. She settles back down against my shoulder, but she’s not as relaxed as she was a few minutes ago.
I stroke the hair away from her forehead. “Get some rest, Jessa.”
We fall into silence and, a few minutes later, her weight sinks into my chest more heavily and her breathing smooths out. I free myself from underneath her and cover her with the duvet.
She looks peaceful in sleep. The fear is gone, that telltale tension in her cheeks. I let myself watch her for a few minutes before I force myself out of the bedroom and into the living room.
I grab my phone off the coffee table and check to see if Lev or Yulian has called with an update. There’s a missed call and text from each of them.
Lev’s text is short and frustrated. No sign of her anywhere.
Yulian’s text is more optimistic. Nothing yet, but I’m going to fucking find her, okay? We barely started this search. There’s still lots of stones left to turn. You just take it easy and take care of your woman.
A part of me is starting to feel guilty for how hard I’m being on him. I must be going too far, if even Lev can point it out.
I scroll through my contact list absentmindedly, and do a double take when I come across Marina’s name. I linger there. A part of me still wonders if she’ll pick up if I call.
We have another plan in motion. A plan to lure her out into the open. I have no idea if it’ll even work at this point, but I’m running out of patience.
Taking care of Jessa is now my number one priority. Because Yulian is right—she is my woman. And I will do whatever I need to do to make sure she’s safe from that fucking bitch.
I press Marina’s name. And, surprises stacking on top of surprises, it starts to ring.
And ring.
And ring.
For ten or twenty long rings, like yelling into an echoing canyon, I wonder if I’m only talking to myself. Then there’s a click and an automated voice invites me to leave a message after the beep.
“I hope wherever you are, you hear this message,” I growl into the staticky silence. “I’m coming for you, Marina. And this time, I promise to kill you myself.”