Chapter 16 - Ninel
I groaned as my eyes opened slowly. My head felt as though an elephant was sitting on it.
I sighed as I pushed myself into a sitting position and leaned my head against the headboard.
Three weeks.
That's how long it's been since I had sex with Artyom. Since I folded like a damn lawn chair, wanting to please him so badly that I turned into a damn sex fiend.
I didn't know if to feel ashamed by how much I was turned on by how brutal yet pleasurable it was or ashamed that I wanted him to do it to me again.
Needless to say, things are awkward between us, even though we had breakfast and dinner together. Because every time I saw him I wanted him to rip my clothes off and tie my hands with his belt and do whatever filthy little things that he wanted.
And Artyom is not a man I should be liking. Not the man that should make my pulse spiked, my knees weak and my panties damp. But…here I am.
I pushed myself out of bed and headed to the bathroom to meet Artyom for breakfast.
An hour later, Artyom left for the office and I made my way back to the bedroom.
The past few days I've been feeling like I'm living in someone else's body. Besides headaches, my face hurts and I feel as though a Mack truck had slammed into me. I didn't have much of an appetite. I knew I was coming down with something.
Today however a new symptom had been added: nausea.
I had barely made it to the bathroom before I puked into the bowl.
God! This flu was going to kill me.
Ten minutes later, I stood, washed my face and downed two painkillers and made my way back to bed and curled under the covers.
I didn't tell Artyom anything, not that I think he'd care anyway. But, thirty minutes after crawling into bed I ran back to the bathroom as fast as my lead-filled legs would carry me, and I threw up again.
I lay on the bathroom floor for thirty minutes before having the strength to get up. After washing my face and drinking some water I stepped out of the room. Ruslan was sitting on a chair next to the door.
He shot me a look.
“Mrs. Rykov, are you okay?” Concern flashed across his face.
“I think I have a stomach bug. Do you think you could take me to the pharmacy to get some medication?” I asked weakly.
“I can get one of the guards to get whatever you need.”
“I'd like to talk to the pharmacist so they'd know exactly what to give me.”
“No problem. Mrs. Rykov.”
“Just give me a few minutes and I'll be right down okay?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I entered the room, closing the door behind me, to get ready.
Thirty minutes later, Ruslan walked into the pharmacy with me.
“You can purchase anything you want here. Mr. Rykov owns it.”
I nodded and headed straight to the pharmacist while Ruslan lurked behind, for which I was grateful.
“Hi,” I smiled weakly at the older woman behind the counter. “I think I have the flu and I'd really like some medication to help with it.”
“Hi, sure. Tell me your symptoms.”
“My head is pounding, my body aches, I'm always tired and today I began to throw up.”
“When did these symptoms start?”
“About a week ago.”
She nodded. Then she walked to one of the shelves and returned with a pregnancy test.
My eyes widened.
“We'll need to rule out that you aren't pregnant since some of the medication can be harmful to the baby.”
I swallowed past the lump in my throat.
“Follow me. I'll show you where the bathroom is.”
I looked around and realized that I was the only one in the store with Ruslan. I followed the pharmacist to the washroom.
Ten minutes later, my mind was spinning.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
I was pregnant. Me.
I was pregnant for Artyom Rykov.
This wasn't a part of the plan.
But, you and Artyom had sex without protection. What did you think would happen?
But, on the first try?!
Artyom hated my family. Used me to get revenge. There was no way he'd want this child.
So then what are you going to do?
I'll keep it a secret until I come up with a plan.
Tears misted my eyes. I wished my sisters were here so I could talk to them.
The pharmacist handed me some nausea medication and safe painkillers I could use.
I smiled at her, and spoke softly, “Can you not add these things into items taken by me? I'd like to surprise Mr. Rykov.”
“I'd like to but it needs to be paid for. I don't want to have issues with Mr. Rykov. He's very strict about inventory.”
I didn't have money. I hoped that Ruslan did.
“OK. Can you tally it and maybe put it as a normal random person. Tell me the cost. I'll ask Ruslan for the money.”
We both went to the cashier and after asking the tally. I went to Ruslan.
“Do you have fifty dollars on you? I'd like to make a donation to the animal shelter.”
I pointed at the little box marked donations with the picture of a puppy on it that sat on the counter by the cashier.
He removed his wallet and handed me the money.
“I'll get this back to you, I promise.”
He smiled. “No need. I love dogs.”
I smiled and walked back to the cashier and handed her the money. I thanked them both before exiting the building with Ruslan.
When I got back to the house, I hid the medication and prayed that Artyom wouldn't look under the bed, behind the leg of the bed anytime soon.
I paced the room wringing my hands as I barely held back the tears. Just when I was about to go into a full-blown panic attack I stopped pacing. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply a few times.
Ninel, going batshit crazy isn't going to help. So do something that will calm you and then think of a solution.
I exited the bedroom and made my way to the library, where Ruslan sat outside on a chair. I decided to finish up the art piece that I was working on.
I lost myself in my work as I sat on the stool the brush strokes caressing the canvas.
But, instead of it calming me, I transformed the storm I was feeling to the canvas. Dark clouds hovered over the farmhouse below and bolts of lightning struck the ground.
“This is great work,” Artyom said from behind me.
Startled, I almost fell off the stool dropping my palette of paint to the ground. He quickly wrapped an arm around my waist and steadied me.
“I didn't mean to startle you.” His hands were still sitting gently on my waist.
I turned to look at him. “I'm sorry. Is it time for dinner already? Let me go clean up and I'll join you.”
My words tumbled out of my mouth mirroring the speed of my racing heart.
“No, we have an event to attend. Kira, Yegor and Zahkar will be there as well.”
“Oh,” I said lamely.
“I've already purchased a dress and shoes, it's upstairs. We'll be leaving in two hours. We can eat before we leave.”
I nodded. He helped me from the stool.
“Ruslan said you guys needed to go to the pharmacy. Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, my migraines were acting up and I had already used all your painkillers. So I bought you a box and migraine meds for me.”
Shit. Would he check the cabinet for the medication I lied about buying?
“Are you okay now? To go with me tonight?”
“I'm okay,” I lied, smiling faintly.
“You go clean up for an early dinner and I'll clean this mess up.”
“Thanks.”
I walked out of the library down the hallway to the bathroom. After washing up I met Artyom in the dining room.
I forced myself to smile and eat as much as I could.
Thirty minutes later, Artyom rose to his feet. “I'll just go grab an outfit and I'll get ready in one of the guest bedrooms.”
“Ok sure.”
Artyom walked out of the dining room and as soon as he did I placed my head on the table. How the hell am I going to pretend that I'm okay in front of others when I could barely pretend in front of Artyom.
Ten minutes later I made my way to the bedroom.
Laid on the bed was a gorgeous emerald fitting dress with a built in corset, off the shoulder.
There were gold stripes down the top half of the dress that look like V's.
In a box on the bed was a pair of shoes the same emerald color, a gold clutch and jewelry to match.
Dragging my feet, I got ready for the night.
I decided to put my hair up in a classy simple style with hair clips and applied some make up.
When I was done I stood looking at myself in the mirror.
The dress was stunning. I had to hand it to Artyom.
He knew what would look great on me and had a sense of fashion.
I placed my hand on my tummy and turned to the side, once again thinking about the life that was growing in me.
Just then there was a knock on the door and I dropped my hands to my side.
Artyom stepped in wearing a black suit, white shirt, no tie…
the sides of his hair were slicked back and the top little tousled.
If I had met him in the street I wouldn't have guessed that he'd be one of the most dangerous men I knew. He looked totally hot.
“Ninel?”
Shit. He said something and I was too busy ogling him.
I met his gaze. “Yeah?”
He chuckled. “You look stunning.”
“Thank you. And you don't look too bad yourself.” I smiled.
“Ready to leave?”
“As ready as I'll ever be.”
I grabbed my clutch and Artyom extended his elbow to me. Together we made our way down the stairs and out the front door.
Sitting there, in front of the house, was a limousine and waiting for us were Kira, Zahkar and Yegor. There were also four SUVs parked close by and four guards standing by each car waiting. Ruslan among them.
“I hope you don't mind all of us going together.”
“I don’t mind at all.”
“Ninel!” Kira screeched when she saw me and made her way up the stairs. “You look amazing!”
I laughed. “Thank you. As do you.”
Kira gave a little twirl, “Thank you, thank you. I try.”
Kira’s dress clung to her curves and her brown hair was curled at the ends framing her face. She had puffed sleeves attached to the underarms of her chocolate gown and the top part was fitted and the floor length dress had flowing material.
Once we made our way down the steps I hugged Yegor and Zahkar.
“You guys look great,” I said.
“We do, don't we…” Zahkar grinned as he struck a pose.
Kira and I laughed while Yegor rolled his eyes and chuckled.
Artyom helped me into the car and I thought he'd sit next to me but a few minutes later Kira came in and took a seat next to me while the guys sat on the other side.
As we drove to the event, my stomach twisted and turned threatening to release the meal I had eaten earlier.
I pushed the feeling down and chatted and laughed with the others avoiding Artyom's gaze that hadn't left me since he got in.
I wondered if I should pull Kira aside and chat with her. Would I be able to do that without anyone hearing us? Without Artyom thinking I'm conspiring with Kira against him?
When the limousine stopped about thirty minutes later, Artyom turned to Zahkar and Yegor and spoke, “If any thing goes south tonight, get Ninel and Kira to Ruslan and he'll take them home. Got it?”
They both nodded. Yegor opened the door and stepped out followed by the other men. Yegor helped Kira and then Artyom helped me.
As we walked into the building, Artyom’s guards surrounded us, we heard the music coming from inside. Guards were everywhere and expensive cars littered the lot.
My stomach churned and I wrapped my hand around my stomach.
“Ninel, are you okay?” Artyom asked.
I nodded and faked a smile. “I guess I'm just a bit nervous.”
“Why? You've been to tons of networking parties like this.”
I nodded. “Yeah as Ninel Safin not as Ninel Rykov.”
Artyom stopped. “About that...”
He dipped into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small black box. He opened it and sitting inside were two rings: an engagement ring and a wedding band. The engagement ring had a square cut diamond sitting on it and both rings were completely covered with diamonds.
Without a word, he slipped both on my finger.
“Artyom, these are gorgeous. Thank you,” I said breathlessly, looking between him and the rings.
He smiled. “You're welcome.”
Once inside we made our way through the crowd and Artyom, Zahkar and Yegor, greeted the other men while me and Kira smiled politely.
After lots of introductions were made. Yegor got Kira and I glasses of wine and stayed with Zahkar as he and Yegor worked the room.
But, even as he did I always felt his eyes on me and every time I glanced at him our eyes met.
I wanted Artyom. Bad.
I tried to push him out of my mind as I laughed and chatted with Zahkar and Kira. We had been an hour into the party and ever so often, Artyom would come over and check to see if I was okay, which was sweet of him.
“Just to let you know Vera is already planning Evie's first birthday party,” Kira said before sipping her glass of wine.
“Wait?” I chuckled. “How old is Evie? About five months old?”
“Yup!” Kira grinned. “After the hell everyone caused for Alexi's first birthday Lev can't wait to return the favour.”
Before I could reply Zahkar swore below his breath. My eyes snapped to his and followed. Bile rushed to my throat and I pushed it down.
Walking towards us were my five brothers. And they looked like they wanted someone's head on a platter. And if I had to guess right it, it would be Artyom’s.
“Hi….” I said calmly, as they approached but Lev wasn't having it. He grabbed me by the hand and pulled me away from Zahkar and Kira.
Pyotr and Avit stopped Zahkar from pulling me back.
“Ninel, what the hell?” Lev snarled. “We've been looking everywhere for you just to find out you're fucking married to Artyom? Why the hell didn't you try to contact us? Everyone was worried sick about you.”
“I…” I began.
My breathing raced and I tried to slow it down but to no avail.
“It doesn't matter.” Lev cut me off. “Let's go.”
I felt an arm slip around my waist. “Ninel isn't going anywhere,” Artyom said in a clipped tone. “You however can leave.”
Lev took a step towards Artyom as Jaroslav stepped behind Lev. I heard the careful click of a safety latch. And Jaroslav’s grey eyes were pinned on Artyom.
My eyes frantically darted between Jaroslav and Artyom. My heart slammed against my rib cage.
“I'm not leaving here without my sister.”
“You'll have no choice but to leave here without my wife. Look around Safin. We're supposed to be allies or have you forgotten about the peace treaty? If you create a scene do you not think our rivals will not pick up on the fact that we're not as united as we want everyone to believe?”
“The only reason we aren't united is because of this stunt that you pulled,” Lev growled.
I stepped forward to hold Lev's hand, my head swimming.
“Lev, I'm okay. Please don't cause a sce…”
A sudden wave of nausea crashed into me. The glass in my hand slipped through my fingers shattering on the ground as my legs gave up under me. Arms caught me and cradled me safely.
“I'm here, Printsessa…I've got you…”
Those were the last words I heard before everything went black.