Page 88 of Savage Little Secret

I throw a quick look over my shoulder at the office door, faintly hearing the muffle of their voices from inside. I don’t know how long it’ll take for the test to give me my results, but I’ll need time to dispose of the test too so that Dmitri doesn’t find it. I’ll wrap it in toilet paper, bury it under the trash, and take the bag out myself later.

Tucking the test in the side pocket of my lounge pants, I quietly cross through the living room to reach the hallway leading to all of the bedrooms and bathrooms. I steal one more look over my shoulder before darting into the nearest bathroom, my heart ready to beat out of my chest.

This is it. What I’ve been waiting for since I first realized that I’d missed my period.

My hands shake as I use the test, my ears straining for any sound of Dmitri and my dad leaving the office. So far so good.

I set the test on the edge of the bathroom counter and wash my hands, my skin feeling warm and clammy.

What if it’s positive?

What if it’s not?

I don’t know what I’m going to do about either result because I don’t know where Dmitri and I stand. He acts like he cares, but it also feels like he’s been distant.

Whatever happens with this test could either pull us closer together or rip us apart for good.

“Come on,” I whisper as I stare at the tiny screen on the test as little loading bars fill it.

“Remember our deal,” Dmitri says. “Your blessing. No games.”

My blood runs cold as I move closer to the bathroom door, listening closer. How are they already done talking? And what deal is Dmitri talking about?

“I’ve already told you that you have my agreement,” Sean replies. “You won’t get any pushback from me. Unless you’re unreasonable.”

“Where is she?” Dmitri asks.

I tear myself away from the door and look down at the test, my heartbeat pounding in my ears. One second after another goes by, and the world around me becomes smaller and smaller. It’s just me in this room alone with a test that could decide my entire future.

Alone.

Tears sting my eyes, blurring my vision. I shouldn’t be doing this alone. I should be in Dmitri’s arms, smiling nervously and happily as we wait and hope for happy news together.

But nothing is as it should be. Nothing has gone according to plan between us.

A knock sounds on the bathroom door, startling me.

“Cara?” Dmitri calls out.

“Just a second!” I reply, my eyes flashing to the doorknob. I forgot to lock it, but doing it now would just make him suspicious.

“Your father is about to leave, but he’ll wait for you,” Dmitri tells me through the door.

“Okay!” I call back, my voice on the edge of shaking.

Finally, Dmitri’s shadow moves away from where I can see it under the door, the sound of his footsteps fading away.

After taking a deep breath, I pick the test up off the bathroom counter as the loading bars finally blink away and my answer appears.

32

Dmitri

My phone goes off in the middle of the night.

I jolt awake in my bed, all alone, my head feeling heavy and woozy from exhaustion. I had only just fallen asleep.

With a tired groan, I snatch my phone off the nightstand and check the caller ID, seeing that it’s Leo. He wouldn’t call so late unless it’s an emergency.