“Never mind. Tell Mr. Spencer he can come to my office if he wants to see me,” I said and stormed out of the office.
It was unlike me to lose my shit like that, but I was under a lot of pressure, and something had to give. Angel was having my child and my company was bringing more drugs into America than I ever thought possible.
Grigoriy was all over my ass like hair on soap about upping quantities. Vlad was doing his best to keep the wheels greased, but I had a feeling that the shit would all come crashing down around my ears in the very near future.
I had nightmares where I was rotting away in prison, leaving Angel and our baby to fend for themselves. I woke up in a cold sweat more times than I could count on two hands.
I was exhausted. My happy face was fading fast, and I needed to talk to someone about it. Inessa called me one afternoon and I snapped at her about something arbitrary.
“Okay, what the fuck is wrong with you, Max?” she demanded over the phone. “You’ve been prissy for a long time now. What is going on with you? Are you stressed about the baby?”
“No. It’s not the baby. I’m sorry, Sis. I didn’t mean to snap at you.”
“I think we need to spend some time together, Max. Let’s go out for dinner tomorrow night. Just the two of us.”
“Okay.”
My life was coming to a head. I would have to tell Inessa about the drugs. Heaven knew she was going to have a shit fit, but it was unfair not to share it with her. I’d rather she heard it from me than hear about it on the news one day.
* * *
“Angel, I’m having dinner with Inessa tomorrow night. We haven’t seen each other in a while. Do you mind?”
“Of course not, my love. Please, give her my love.”
“Great. Will do, Babe. How are you feeling?”
“Good. A little tired by the time afternoon rolls around.”
“Doc said that will pass soon enough.”
“Oh, so youwerepaying attention,” she grinned.
“Of course, I was. I’m not planning on missing out on any stage of our son’s life.”
“Son? Did you see something I missed?”
“No. But, I know it’s going to be a boy.”
“You reckon?”
“Yup. And he’s going to be as gorgeous and smart as his mother,” I said and kissed my beautiful Angel.
“We’re in trouble if he’s as talented a smooth talker as his father. Women will be camping out on our front lawn.”
“That’s my boy,” I smirked.
“Take out the trash, Romeo,” Angel smirked and pointed to the trash can.
“Yes, yes. I’m doing it,” I sighed.
Angel winked at me. I so wanted to enjoy this stage of our relationship. I longed to be free of near-crippling fear.
* * *
“Okay. What is it?”
“Straight to the point, as always, Inessa.”