Raelynn was annoyed that he crossed her boundaries, but not surprised. Maksim had always been intrusive when it came to flesh. If he wanted her to come on his cock, he'd have that. If he wanted to suck on her nipples, he'd have that. If he wanted to do both at the same time, he'd have that, too.

The idea of her carrying his baby only further blurred the line between them.

She washed her hands and checked her skirt for any signs of wetness. With a final irritated glare at the toilet, she walked to the bedroom and laid on the far end.

"Raelynn, don't make me get you, because I guarantee that you will not like it."

She cursed him in Russian, making him raise an eyebrow.

"I will not repeat myself."

She crawled to him, and he curled around her.

"I hope you hid your damn gun well, because I'm lighting you up if I find it."

He chuckled lazily, but didn't reply.

It was hard to find sleep. Usually it was because a shifting of the twins kept her up. They were suspiciously calm, though, as if sated. She was afraid Maksim was their latest ice cream obsession.

She couldn't sleep because Maksim's hand was under her belly. It was in an innocent position, but her hormonal brain couldn't help but point out that it was just inches from her vagina.

She tossed and turned a few times, but Maksim didn't seem to care. Eventually, she fell asleep.

The sound ringing woke her up. Apparently, her stomach didn't like it. Vomit surged up her throat, and she barely got to tip her head off the bed to gag. Thankfully, it was a false alarm. Maksim didn't seem to understand that. He gripped her by one arm and phoned an ambulance with the other.

Raelynn swatted up to grab the phone and cancel the call.

"What are you doing?" Maksim snarled.

"What am I going to do with you, Maksim? I'm fine. It's just morning sickness," She hung up the phone and tugged his hand off her arm.

"I need to shower." She was sure that she looked disgusting with her morning breath, ratty hair, bushy eyebrows, and crumpled shirt.

She swung her legs off the bed and walked to the bathroom.

"What's wrong with your legs?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You're walking oddly."

"Let me waddle in peace."

She took a shower and rummaged through his cabinets to find a toothbrush. Seeing no other towel, she used his. Although she was enormous with her pregnancy, Maksim's towel nearly made her disappear. She had to wrap it around twice.

When she came out, Maksim was already dressed. His hair was damp, so she figured he showered in the guest bedroom.

Raelynn dug through the boxes in search of her scarves, and he watched her pull out the ingredients for her disguise like a hawk.

She changed in his walk-in closet and came out looking out like a different woman.

Maksim's expression hardened. Did he want to scream at her for the deceit? Was he holding back because he didn't want to stress her out?

"Let's go. We're going to the OBGYN after work."

Shit.

She was hoping he forgot about that. Thankfully, she had a valid excuse. "I can't. I have therapy today."

He frowned. "Fine. Tomorrow, then."

She would need to find a way to escape that appointment, too.

"Yeah, tomorrow."

"Let's go. The cars are waiting."

"Wait. There's something we should clarify first. I want you to please, please not fire anyone else. I can handle it. There's no need to hover over me."

"You are carrying my son. No one will disrespect a Kuznetsov."

"I noticed that, Maksim, but it's irrational to put the firm at risk of lawsuits by overlooking HR's policies and wreaking havoc. I know the company is only there to launder the dirty money of the mafia, but real people depend on their paychecks to survive. If the company goes down, so does everyone."

He stepped closer so quickly that it startled her.

"Do not throw that word around so casually."

She swallowed hard, but nodded. "Okay. So do you promise?"

He pursed his lips, and she feared he would deny her.

"Please? It would make me feel better if I didn't have to worry about it."

"Alright. Let's get a move on."

She looked for her purse out of habit. Of course, she didn't have it. It had been left at the office. She really was not looking forward to stepping back into the tornado of gossip, but she wanted to finish the work she started.

"Does everyone know about my... situation?"

"No. Those that saw signed themselves into silence. They can't speak about it."

When Maksim opened the door and walked beside her. The two guards positioned at the door followed them. Their silence was creepy, but she didn't comment on it.

Downstairs, a sleek black car and one with a lower profile awaited. Maksim helped her into the backseat, and his goons slid into the driver and passenger seat.

He pulled the seatbelt over her, tugging hard to make sure it was in place. Then, he left for his own car. The two weaved through traffic for twenty minutes before arriving at the building. Maksim went up first, and then she was alone.

Employees regarded her with the same animosity. Some were pissed off, others were avoiding her. It was like nothing had changed. None of them knew she slept with their boss curled around her,

When she reached her floor, those that had been there when she passed out during the presentation scattered.

She looked for Shanna, but she was nowhere to be found.

After checking in with the overly-enthusiastic manager to confirm she was still working on the project, she went over her work. She was emailed feedback. It was limited, though, since she didn't get to present.

She worked for hours, grateful to get a break from Maksim's world. If she had been stuck in his penthouse, she would have lost her mind right around lunch.

Spotting Shanna, she got up and waved. "Hey. I was looking for you."

Shanna's glare had her heart stopping.

She walked to the nearest empty conference room, and Raelynn followed.

"Did you find out? I'm so sorry I didn't tell you–"

"Look," Shanna interjected, pulling her cardigan closer. "I think it's best if we keep it professional from now on. I don't know what sick game you're playing, but I want no part in it."

"I'm sorry," Raelynn could only repeat. "Can't we talk about it? I mean... you're my only friend. No one likes me here."

Shanna shook her head. "Don't you realize what you're doing? This sick disguise of yours... you're playing with people's conditions, insecurities, fears. I can't go home and take extra pounds off, because I'm medically stuck with them. I couldn't do it in high school, so I sliced my wrists instead. I can't do it now, so I try to surround myself with positive people. You're no good for me. Shame on you for using me to make your disguise more believable. I'm done here."

"But I didn't befriend you because of your size. That has nothing to do with this," Raelynn pleaded.

"Please don't contact me again unless it's for work-related reasons, or I'll get HR involved." She left, and Raelynn felt like she crumbled.

She packed her purse, texted Maksim that she was going to therapy, and went downstairs to meet the car. On her way downstairs, she crossed Viktor, who had a slit lip and a black eye.

Maksim was the artist of this brutality.

It was her fault. Everything was her fault.

She covered her face and heaved with sobs. An arm went around her shoulders, and the chest in front of hers rumbled as Viktor spoke into his phone.

"It's me. Come to floor thirteen to pickup your mess of a woman."

Maksim was there a shocking fifteen seconds later.

"Get the fuck off her."

Raelynn went from one suited chest to the other. She clung to Maksim, ruining him with her salty sadness. He opened the door behind her to hide them from any passerbys, and held her.

He didn't make threats, call ambulances, or demand to know what was wrong. He could tell what she needed was silence, and she appreciated it.