Chapter Twenty-Five
Lauren
Sophia pulls me into a tight hug outside.
The fragrant smell of her roses drifts into my nose, warming my insides with a sense of comfort. I’ve been really sensitive to smell since I got pregnant, but this is one of the few scents that doesn’t make me nauseous.
“It was so nice to see you, Soph.”
“Come again soon. We should arrange something weekly so I know when I’m going to see you next.”
I nod, pulling her in for another hug. With all that’s going on, I really don’t know when the next time will be. I just hope it will be soon, because when Nikolai opens the passenger door of his car and helps me in, I’m already craving the smell of those roses.
Sophia stands at the door, waving us off.
Nikolai returns to Timur, continuing the conversation they were having. I wonder what they got up to earlier. He’s been tense ever since they left the office.
I roll down the window to try to eavesdrop on their conversation. Russian, of course. Timur murmurs something in Nikolai’s ear, and he nods in response, slapping his buddy on the back of the shoulder. He then strides over to the car, fastening the seatbelt across his body.
He gives me a side-eye as he starts the engine. “You happy for them?”
I never thought I would be, but Timur looks at Sophia like she’s something he never expected to want, but now can’t live without.
“Yeah. Thanks for bringing me here.”
Nikolai smiles, pulling out of the parking spot.
The engine rumbles as he presses down on the gas, and then we’re gone, disappearing through a tunnel of trees as we navigate back to the highway. The drive is quiet, nothing but the steady purr of the engine droning between us.
The tension in Nikolai’s shoulders hasn’t faded.
I look out of the side window, resting an elbow on the door. I want to ask him what’s going on, to find out what he was discussing with Timur, but somehow, I get the feeling that it’s best to let him process it first. Timing is everything with a man like him.
“Lauren, your mother is gone,” he finally says, breaking the silence between us. “You don’t need to be involved in this anymore.”
I snap around to him, waiting for him to turn my way and flash me a warning look, but he keeps his eyes glued to the road, staring perhaps harder than he needs to.
“What are you talking about?”
“Leave it, Lauren.” There’s an edge to his voice.
“No!” I snap. “She was my mother, not yours.”
“I’m not doing this again.”
“Doing what?”
“Fighting with you about this. You will do as I say.”
My blood starts to boil. This is the man I remember, right here—the one who always thinks he gets the final say on things because I’m just a weak woman who doesn’t understand his world.
“You don’t get to make that choice for me, Niko.”
“Yes, I do. You are carrying my child. This isn’t just about you anymore.”
I open my mouth but stop short. Sophia’s words echo in my ears.
Relax, Lauren.
