Chapter 24Zane
24
Zane
I wasn’t expecting to be told that Maksim is in the hospital, but Andrey is certain he checked in under a fake name two days ago. According to the sparce records that could be recovered from the hospital’s computer system, he’s dealing with a serious infection from the stab wound he received when he broke into Monroe’s house.
That means he’s vulnerable, but we can’t just go charging into a hospital and gun him down in his room. We have to play this a little more strategic, waiting until he’s released to get the jump on him.
Everything feels like it’s happening all at once, but I’m able to find order in the chaos. First, I need Monroe to hand the book and the blessing of her photographic memory over to Kiro so we can begin investing the money Tema entrusted me with.
Once that’s done, Monroe needs to take a pregnancy test so we can settle this once and for all. If she’s pregnant, I’ve already decided to buy her a ring. There’s no arguing with that, either. I’m not going to have our child born to unwed parents. The Bratva demands an official union.
Then, there’s Maksim. He’s the only person in my life that genuinely threatens all that I’ve built. If I want Monroe to be safe, and our baby to have a healthy childhood, Maksim needs to go.
And it won’t be to jail. I have a very special spot for him at the local cemetery. I believe his cousin is already buried there.
After we leave the bar, I make sure Andrey has the book of information Monroe provided for him. I want him to invest every dime he can get his hands on, because the information is only going to be valid for a short period of time. The longer we wait, the less money we will make.
With the book safely in Andrey's hands, Monroe and I go home. It's not a long drive, but it feels like forever knowing that she's about to take the pregnancy test. The stop at the pharmacy is even worse because I keep feeling like Maksim is going to show up and gun us both down. I've been too paranoid to let Monroe out of the house for an entire month, but I want her to be a little more involved. It's about trust, after all.
Monroe picks a pregnancy test out, I pay for it, and then we're on our way again. She holds the plastic bag so tightly in her hand that her knuckles turn white, but I don't comment on it. I know telling her to relax is not going to do anything but stress her out further. Besides, I'm also stressed out, and nothing is going to solve it until we know the results of the pregnancy test.
When we arrive home, she goes straight to the bathroom and shuts the door. I can hear her moving around in there, but it feels like it's taking an eternity for her to pee on the stick. I'm stuck with my thoughts, and that's the last place I want to be right now. I know I can handle being a father because I've handled everything life has thrown at me so far, but it's a lot to prepare for in just nine months.
Monroe is a good woman, though. She'll be a great mother, and I think it's best for me to follow her lead on this one. I've always been the boss, but when someone else is capable of handling something better, I think their opinions should take priority over mine. It's more a matter of supporting her efforts than leaning on her too much.
I'm already thinking of ways to help. I should build a playhouse outside by the garden, but not too close to the flowers or a bee might sting the child. There should be ample space for them to explore, but I need to make sure to cover any sharp corners inside and under no circumstances allow them to have access to any of the guns in the house.
I have to rub my forehead just thinking about it. There are so many guns, some in places I've forgotten. This house is suitable for a small child. We might even have to move.
No, I tell myself, shaking my head. We won't have to move. I have more money than I can spend in a lifetime, so I'll just hire a team of professional decorators and childproof the entire house. It'll be a big project, sure, but I have nine months to get it done, and it's not like the baby will start walking right away.
"I'm done," Monroe announces, stepping out of the bathroom. She has the test in her hand, and it's facing down. Her expression is unreadable, and my heart jumps into my throat in anticipation of what she's about to say. I've gotten so invested in the idea of having a child with her that the thought of her not being pregnant makes me more worried than if she is.
"What does it say?" I ask, bending down to try to get a look at the underside of the test.
She turns the stick over, revealing a bright pink plus sign. My knees go weak, and I lean back against the wall, unable to support myself. My heart is beating so fast that I feel like I'm going to pass out. This is far too dramatic for a Bratva boss, but I'm no longer just a man with a hundred ruthless killers working for me. I'm a father now.
Monroe gasps. "Are you okay?" she asks, grabbing my arm.
I look at her, blinking a few times as the shock wears off. "I'm fine. Just a little lightheaded."
She laughs a little. "We can pretend like I'm not pregnant for a while to prevent you from having a heart attack. I'm not trying to kill the father of my baby."
"I'm fine, really," I insist, pulling her toward me as I try to stand up straight. My knees wobble, but they hold. I cup her chin in my hands and pull her into a kiss so deep that she almost drops the pregnancy test.
Her body sinks into mine, and I feel unified. This is what real trust feels like. This is the future I want to have. I know things will only get better.
"Let's get married," I whisper against her lips.
She laughs again. "We can't do that," she says, but there's a playful tone to her voice.
"Why not?" I ask, pulling back a little.
"You haven't even told me that you love me," she says, her eyes meeting mine.
In that moment, I know that I do love her, and I should tell her straight away, but I don't want her to believe that I'm saying all of this just because of the baby.
I take her hands, look into her eyes, and then...
My phone rings. I take the opportunity to avoid saying what I need to say by answering it. "Just one moment," I mutter, reaching into my pocket and pulling out the phone. “Zane here. What’s going on? Why are you calling?”
Kiro’s voice comes through a wall of noise. It sounds like gunshots, but it’s difficult to tell over the phone. “We’ve been compromised! Maksim and his men have us pinned down outside the bar. I called for backup but it’s going to be a good ten minutes until they arrive.”
“Don’t let him get the book,” I growl, jumping away from Monroe and pressing the phone harder into my ear. “I’ll be there in a minute.”
“It might not be soon enough,” Kiro replies, and I hear the whiz of a bullet flying past him.
“Stay there, and don’t die. I’ll be there soon,” I say before hanging up.