Page 43 of Bound For You

“You just cost us our grandchildren, youpridurok,” Maria snarls, tears running down her face. Al puts an arm around her shoulders and presses a kiss to her forehead.

Juan states, “She can’t do that, we’ll fucking fight her and take the children away from her; she’s a nobody.”

I chuckle darkly; he’s still not getting it. I don’t want to fight her for our children, I want to fight her for our relationship…and now our family.

I shake my head as Dimitri grumbles, “She’s well within her rights to do so. She can tell any court how she’s concerned for the safety of the children while Sergi has them, especially because of how he treated her a few weeks ago, then how he cheated, then he threatened to kill her. Avery’s not just some college student, she’s a person who has been dealt a shitty hand at life and knows how to survive. The court will see how much she has achieved. Also, her deceased adoptive father was a well-respected policeman in Seattle. Not to mention, she’s nearly done with college, debt-free, thanks to her adoptive parents. Shehas a full-time job, and a residency waiting for her. I looked into it after the hospital incident, that same hospital has an open position for her, meaning if she decides to take a year off before starting, then her place will still be there next year…and the year after that. She is one of the most sought-after students, because of how much she has excelled. She is finishing school two years early, then there’s the fact she has the Irish lawyer at her back. He would have gotten Noah’s approval, and you know Noah is all about helping young mothers.” He then looks at me. “I’m sorry, son, I really am for my part in this. I just didn’t trust her, and when she broke down and told me some of her past, I did feel guilty. But then you pushed her away, treated her like a whore, and I thought she was lying to me to get back to you. No one can access her records; I’ve tried but they are airtight, so my trust in her dipped more. Son, you’ve lost so much. And her father, like I said…I thought she was telling me a sad story to get me to feel guilty for her, I thought she was using you.”

I just shake my head and murmur, “She’s lost more now, and didn’t deserve this treatment. Now, thanks to the two of you, I’ll probably never get her back—and Phoebe just lost a good friend. I hope you’re both fucking happy with yourselves.”

I walk out of my office as everyone shouts my name, but I can’t. I quickly get to the elevator and descend to the lobby, praying she’s still signing out.

As soon as I hit the ground floor and run out of the elevator, I see her turning away from the front desk. Sydney, the receptionist, sees me and smirks, pulling her top down, but I ignore her and run after my girl. I get right behind her and wrap my arm around her, gently pulling her to stop. I splay my large hand on her small bump, and my heart rate quickens. My kids are safely tucked away in there. I slide my other hand under her sweater, and splay my hand on the top of her bump, rubbing my thumb gently over it. I lean down. Her breathing has quickened;I know she knows it’s me, our bodies know when they’re home, instantly recognizing the other because we’re bound for each other.

I rasp in her ear, “Please,dragotsennyy, let’s go talk, just you and me. I know I messed up, but please, I want my girl back. I miss you; I love you. Please.” I feel wetness on my right arm, and my heart hurts. I tighten myself around her, breathing in her vanilla scent.

She shakes her head, and sobs. “I can’t; you broke me.” I squeeze my eyes tight as her hand squeezes my arm, showing she’s struggling to let me go too, but she can’t forgive me. She slowly pulls herself from my arms, walking out of the building without looking back, keeping her head down as her body shakes with silent sobs.

I have to watch her leave.

Dmitri and Juan come to stand on either side of me a few minutes later.

Dimitri rasps, “I’m so sorry, son.”

I tremble as they each grab an arm as Sydney watches with shock written all over her face. They guide me to the basement where our torture chamber is.

An unfortunate thief is awaiting his sentencing, and all my pain and guilt bleeds out through each slice of skin.

I won’t give up. I’ll get my family back, if it’s the last thing I do.

twenty-two

Avery – One Month Later

I rubmy eyes as I look in my bathroom mirror, and I sigh. My face is pale, and I have bags under my eyes. I quickly brush my teeth, then turn on the shower, hoping it’ll wake me up. My alarm woke me up fifteen minutes ago, and I have to get ready for my doctor’s appointment. Today, I get to find out what I’m having. After I spit in the sink, I stand up and remove my clothes. I turn to my side and look at my bump in the mirror and I smile, rubbing my hand over it.

I get in the shower and quickly clean myself, making sure my hair doesn’t get wet. Images of Sergi pop into my mind, and my clit throbs. I frown and scold my body for reacting. I shake my head and get out, refusing to pleasure myself to him again…like last night; I tossed and turned before I gave in. I get dressed in my usual dark jeans and a maternity tank top that shows off my bump, but also my scars on my arms. I grab my black cardigan, take my hair down from the top knot, and quickly put on a little mascara. I smile at my reflection. Done.

I go to the kitchen and look at the clock. I have to leave, or I’ll be late, so I quickly make myself a strawberry and banana smoothie, then lock up and leave. When I get near the SUV, the hairs on the back of my neck start to tingle and I look around, feeling like I’m being watched. I don’t see anything. I shake my head and get in the car, and head to my appointment, excited to see my babies.

I get there with five minutes to spare, and I smile as I pull into a parking space. I grab my smoothie and get out, locking my car. My smile vanishes when I see who I’ve parked next to; he’s leaning against his dark blue Chevrolet Corvette.

I scowl at the love of my life, a Made Man, and the guy who tore my heart out. He has his shades on, but I can feel his eyes looking over my body, most likely staring at my bump. I haven’t heard anything from him in four weeks. Mr. Foster said Sergi’s attorney confirmed receipt of the letter, but we’ve heard nothing from that area, either. Now how in the hell did he know about today, because I certainly didn’t tell him. I cross my arms over my chest, and I can feel his gaze shift. I bet my dad’s SUV he’s staring at my plumper—thanks to the twins. I scowl harder at him.

“What are you doing here, Sergi?”

He smiles at my question. “Did you really think I wouldn’t find out about your appointments? I let you have a month, now I’m done giving you space. I want you back, Avery, and I’m going to be at your appointments from now on.”

I sigh and shake my head. “You want to come in for my appointments, fine, today we should find out the sex, but you and me, not happening, Sergi. Unless you can turn back time and not threaten to kill me, bruise my arm, treat me like a whore, and keep your dick out of another woman, a woman who came to me at work, telling me how you’re now in a relationship with her…. Otherwise, it’s not going to happen. We’ll co-parent andas long as all Mafia and Bratva personnel don’t come near my children, then we won’t have a problem.”

His breathing got heavier the more I talked, guilt and shame etched all over his face, but I don’t let him get a speak. I turn and walk toward the doctor’s office. I hear him growl and then his footsteps following, but I ignore him and head inside. I go to the receptionist and give my name, and she nods and tells me to take a seat, then her attention strays to Sergi, but I ignore the jealousy that rises.

I sit down and Sergi sits next to me, ignoring the receptionist. Before he can say anything, my phone rings. I get it out and see it’s the realtor. I answer, hoping its good news about the two-bedroom apartment I wanted a street over from Elm Street. It’s one of the safest places to live, and cheaper than the two houses I was considering.

“This is Avery,” I answer.

Sergi furrows his brows. He’s close enough, so I know he’ll hear the conversation, but the realtor talks before I can move seats, so I know it’s now pointless.

“Hi Avery, I heard back regarding the apartment you’re interested on Grapevine.”