I feel as though a weight is lifting from my shoulders. He may be mysterious, but he is adorable.

A guard walks in to wait nearby, and Mr. Milov—Kervyn—frowns. “Hold on.” He motions for the guard to approach. The guard leans in to whisper in his ear. It’s Russian! That’s what his accent is! I wait patiently as the waitress brings our sparkling water.

He’s rather bossy. I don’t know if I like that or if I don’t.

Asher would tell me to stand my ground.

The guard leaves, and he looks at me. “My apologies. My business isn’t one that involves very patient clients. Now, to the future.” He raises his sparkling water, and I raise mine.

“What is in the future in terms of co-parenting our child?” I ask quietly.

“Well, we still have some time since you’re only five weeks. I’ll cover all the costs, of course, including the DNA test at the check up to ensure paternal rights. I’ll personally select the movers to get you moved in. We can have the wedding after the birth and then enjoy a honeymoon once the baby is older. I don’t expect you to work, but you are welcome to if it is something you want to continue to do. However, I assure you I can provide for you.”

I’m frozen for a moment.

Move?

Wedding?

Honeymoon?

DNA Test?

“I’m not really a traditional sort of person who thinks you marry the person who got you pregnant. If you know what I mean.”

He holds up a hand as another guard comes in. They speak English and they’re definitely local to Vegas. I hear them mutter something about a warehouse, guards, and workers. Kervyn nods, and the guard leaves.

“Sorry, Kervyn. What is it you do?” I ask suddenly.

“Well, I do many things, Penny. My main job is to run my family business, or should I say several businesses. We own several nightclubs, protection services, resorts, and warehouses, among other things.”

I sip my water as he continues. “But just to be clear. I’m from a powerful family, and once you marry me, you will be powerful within it as my Queen.” He smiles, inclining his head. “You may not be traditional, Penny, but I always get what I set my eyes on. You are carrying my heir. We will marry, and you may even come to like my lifestyle.”

I swallow. The waitress returns to take our order, but I shake my head. “Well.” My logical mind has officially kicked in, thank God. “Well, I need to get packing then. There is no point in delaying this. I will contact you to let you know when to come and get me. I also want to let everyone know where I’m going.”

I move to stand, and he stands as well. “Penny. It’s best you don’t tell anyone for now, or at least don’t mention my name. Unfortunately, due to business, I’m not well-liked in all circles.”

“I understand,” I say, meeting his brown-eyed gaze. “Thank you for arranging this, and I’ll see you soon.”

“Really soon,” he says. “My driver will take you back.”

“Thank you.”

I walk out and find the car outside waiting for me. Did they move at all? I get into the car, and they start to drive. Thankfully, they’re about as talkative as they were on the way here. I take out my phone. I’m an idiot. Why didn’t I search his name before?

I type in Kervyn’s name, and numerous articles come up—all related to the mob family Milov. He is the head of the Russian Bratva, or it is claimed that he is. Whenever someone finds proof, it conveniently disappears.

I have to leave. I have to go while he’s still thinking I’m packing up and returning to him with open arms. I text Asher.

Shit. Kervyn is a Milov. Mafia family. Going to split.

My phone dings immediately.

Am home. Will start packing.

I don’t know if that means she’s tossing me out or what’s going to happen, but I need to leave because I cannot marry some ruler of the Russian mafia people.

When I arrive home, I calmly walk toward the door as the vehicle pulls away, and once they are out of sight, I rush inside. “Asher!” I yell.

“I’ve got our bags ready,” she breathes, pointing to the large travel suitcases near the door. “I’ve packed everything I think we could need. I’ve withdrawn a huge amount of cash that should see us through for a few weeks, at least if we’re smart. Leave your phone. They can trace that.” She takes my phone out of my hand and puts it down. “Now, we’re going to take my car, drive out of Vegas, and stay in the mountains for a few nights. When they realize we’re gone, they’re going to assume we’re putting as much distance as we can between them and us. Once we’ve spent a few days in the mountains, we’ll drive a state over and catch a plane to wherever we want to go. Got it?”

I look at her wide-eyed. “I…” I burst into tears. “I’m sorry I’m dragging you into this.”

She wraps her arms around me. “No. No. No. It was me that got us into this mess by choosing that stupid club to go to. But I’m going to get us out. We’ll drive east and draw money from your account, then drive west to confuse them.”

I nod, and we get ready to take the bags. “You’re my best friend, Asher.”

She smiles brightly at me. “What’s a friend for if we’re not dodging certain death together.”

Chapter 5 - Kervyn

There are many things I deal with from time to time, but I’ve never had to deal with the fact that I am going to have an heir to the family business. In my family, that’s an honor, and I’m hoping that with time, Penny and I may become amicable in the marriage.

There’s definitely an attraction between us, which I won’t easily deny if she is open to it. She switched to a very business-like tone when we talked yesterday, and while I appreciate that, I hope she’ll come to soften it up when it comes to our relationship. We can have a beautiful and pleasurable future together.

I have a pesky little problem to deal with while my driver goes to collect Penny, but then I can head home to make sure she settles in nicely.

I have the staff waiting to cater to her every whim, and I’ve already arranged with our private family doctor to take over from whatever doctor she’s using. She didn’t seem thrilled, which makes me wonder if her doctor put her off having children, maybe out of wedlock. We can fix that.

My phone rings, and it’s Leon.

“Is something wrong?” I ask. I have an uneasy suspicion about what he’s about to say next.

“They’re not here. It looks like their things are packed, and they left. The house is abandoned.”

I take a deep breath before I say as calmly as I can, “Have their phones tracked. See where they were last. Get back to me within an hour.”

My door opens as I hang up the phone, and my brother Danil walks in. As the second eldest, he shoulders a lot of responsibility that I delegate to him.

“Something wrong? You look irritated.” He takes a bottle of water out of the fridge in my office and sits in the armchair in front of my desk.

“I have a problem that requires special attention, and it’s not going the way I want it to. A slight oversight I will have rectified shortly.”

“The girl?” he asks, and I narrow my eyes. “Luka told me.”

“Luka should learn to keep his mouth shut. What did he tell you?” I ask as a waitress brings in a tray with coffee on it. She leaves it on the side table and exits.

Danil waits for her to leave. “Only that her friend wanted your private number because the girl needed to call you urgently.”