Page 94 of Marked By the Devil

He didn’t have to tell me twice to leave. I hadn’t wanted to come and waste time talking to any of them, anyway.

Alexei and I returned to the car and drove off.

“Let me guess, he wasn’t there either?” Adrik said, clearly annoyed. It wasn’t all that long ago that he’d be going up to speak with men directly. I knew it aggravated him to have to rely on this much security now, though.

“Who knows,” I replied. “They weren’t letting us in. And if they have any issues with us about the Feds or politicians, I can’t really say I give a fuck.”

It wouldn’t be the first time a rival family was cranky because they couldn’t have what we did.

And it wouldn’t be the last.

34

WREN

Iwasn’t in the mood to get out of bed. I woke from a weird night of twisted dreams. Half nightmares, partial fantasies, they merged from one extreme to another. After Viktor made me feel so good, relaxed and sated with how thoroughly he pleasured me and let me get him off, too, I should’ve slept like a rock.

Yet, now as I gave up on sleeping in, my body was still so tired.

I sighed, looking up at the ceiling.

“Weird.”

That was all I could mutter aloud as I listened for a sign that Viktor was still home. It was much later than I liked to get up, but there just wasn’t anything I could do about it now. I was tired, and in the back of my mind, I knew it had to mean that I was pregnant. This was the beginning of my body changing on me, and I couldn’t stick my head under the sand forever and act like it wasn’t a possibility, but more a very likely reality.

A blessing.

I smiled, imagining being pregnant. Of having a child. Watching him or her grow up with Luka and Isabel…

I hope.

Before I could dwell further on whether this was just my mind playing tricks on me or if I needed to go to the store and get a test, my dreams came back to me.

Viktor fighting through a crowd to reach me with multiple cars exploding.

Me trying to talk louder to be heard at a press conference when everyone was shouting at me that I was a liar.

Then back in that alley, running and trying not to get shot at by snipers in every window, but without Viktor being the one to chase me.

And last, my mother holding a baby in a blanket, smiling and so happy before she looked up at me and told me that the “bad guys” are still out there and need to pay.

It was a messed-up shift of dreams that unsettled me, but I wasn’t confused about why they happened. They were all parts of what was on my mind lately.

I got up and sat on the edge of the bed, glancing at the note on the nightstand.

What’s this?

I picked it up and read Viktor’s chicken scratch.

I need to run out and handle a couple of things but I swear allegiance to that sweet pussy as soon as I’m back.

-V

I smiled, rubbing the back of my neck at his little message. I wasn’t sure I’d be ready for him to ascend on me again. I was so sore, and I couldn’t get over how sensitive my nipples were. Still, I wouldn’t imagine I’d last long to resist him.

You’re too good to me, Mr. Volkov.

I set the note aside and got up. The second I stood and headed to the bathroom, though, the urgency to vomit took over me. Consumed by the need to throw up, I dropped into a jog, placing my hands over my mouth.