Page 151 of Wrapped in Perfection

But the last lesson they learn is that you should never fuck with an Ivanov or any of our women.

31

Anna

"Where are they?"Nora paces and frets. It's almost five in the afternoon. Dmitri hasn't called. Boris or Killian haven't contacted Nora, either. I'm trying to keep her calm, since she's pregnant, but I'm having difficulty not worrying.

Where is he?

Why hasn't he called me?

Oh God, what if he's dead?

Neither Nora nor I have slept. I last spoke to Dmitri over twenty-four hours ago. We came into the studio to go through designs because I thought it might get our minds off their whereabouts. It isn't helping.

"You should try to rest, Nora. I'll stay awake and let you know when they call."

"Something is wrong. It has to be. This is too long." Her eyes glisten, and she holds her stomach with one hand and twists her red hair in the other.

"Nora, you need to lie down. This isn't good for the baby." I take her hand. "Come on." I lead her to the bedroom and tuck her under the covers.

"I told Killian not to let Boris go. No matter what was going on, I begged him to stop him. He can't take much more. I know he can't."

I stroke her hair. "They're going to come back."

"What if they don't? This is so long," she repeats. "My baby... I want it to know it's father...to know Boris and be loved by him." She begins to sob hard.

I embrace her. "Shh. They will be back. Your baby will have a father."

She cries herself to sleep, and when I finally leave the room, it's dark outside. Another night passes, and at some point, I fall asleep on the couch.

"Anna," Dmitri whispers and strokes my cheek.

I open my eyes and reach for his face. "Are you really here?"

"Yes."

"Dmitri! Oh God!" Tears fall as he pulls me into his arms.

"Shh. I'm okay, kotik." He scoops me into his arms, and they have never felt so good.

"Where have you been?"

"I'm sorry. Our cells died. There wasn't a charger in the car. We didn't think about it."

We...

My heart pounds hard. "Where's Boris?"

Dmitri smiles. "In the bedroom. He's going to stay the rest of the night with Nora and leave in the morning."

I release a big breath.

"I'm sorry. I know this went longer than I anticipated."

I peer closer at him. His face is worn and tired.

"Is it over?" I ask.

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