The Arrangement: Chapter 22

As I unzip my weekend bag, the thrill of staying with Maksim and finally getting to spend some real time with Adelina buzzes through me like a live wire. This weekend’s not just about fun; it’s a sneak peek into Maksim’s world, a chance to see how he balances the dad life with… well, whatever else lurks in the shadows of his Bratva ties.

I start with the essentials, tossing in my favorite jeans and a couple of tees that walk the fine line between comfy and form fitting. I pause, my hand hovering over a drawer that’s all daring and spice. ‘Why not?’ I muse, pulling out a little black dress that screams trouble and a pair of heels that could kill a man—or at least make one follow me anywhere.

As I pack, my playlist is all upbeat vibes and bass drops, the kind of tunes that make you want to dance around in your underwear. But as I fold a slinky red top—perfect for a night in or a daring dash to the kitchen for midnight snacks—doubt creeps in. I’m getting all wound up for a weekend with a man who, for all his charm and undeniable sex appeal, is wrapped up in a world that could swallow me whole.

‘Am I out of my mind?’

The excitement of spending time with Adelina, of being welcomed into their home, is tinged with this undercurrent of fear. What if this is it? The biggest mistake I’ve ever made, barreling toward me while I’m decked out in lace and optimism?

Shaking off the thought, I zip the bag closed. There’s no turning back now, not when every beat of my heart is in sync with the rhythm of taking chances. I glance at the bag, my weekend of contradictions packed tight within, and let out a breath, thinking about my conversation with Ty earlier.

Walking back into the shop after the doc’s revelation, Ty’s there, eyebrows raised like he’s ready to dissect every inch of my day.

‘Spill it, girl. You look like you’ve seen a ghost… or a positive pregnancy test,’ he half-jokes, his knack for hitting too close to home making me wince.

The words just start spilling out of me in a torrent—I’m pregnant, caught up in this whirlwind romance with Maksim, and standing at the most bewildering crossroads of my life.

Ty’s reaction is immediate and priceless. His eyes widen in shock, his mouth dropping open before it twists into this odd squint, a mix of congratulations and outright concern for my mental health. ‘You’re what? Pregnant?’ he finally manages, leaning forward as if the proximity might make the news less bombastic.

‘Yeah,’ I reply, watching his expressions dance from surprise to something akin to delight, then back to skepticism. ‘With Maksim’s baby. It’s… a lot.’

He blinks, then breaks into a grin that’s both elated and a tad incredulous. ‘Holy shit, Tory! That’s—wow, that’s huge. But also, Maksim? Mr. Tall, Dark, and Bratva? You two have been busy, huh?’

I can’t help but laugh, his blunt characterization of Maksim spot-on yet somehow endearing. ‘I guess we have. But seriously, I’m freaking out here. What am I supposed to do?’

Ty leans back, adopting a pose that’s all mock solemnity, though his eyes are still twinkling with mischief. ‘Well, first off, congratulations are in order. And second, you’re asking the wrong question. It’s not what you’re supposed to do; it’s what you want to do.’

I sigh, the reality of the situation settling back in. ‘I want… I don’t know. I want this baby. And Maksim… there’s something real there. But his life, his world—it’s a lot to take on.’

‘What are you gonna do, Tor?’ he asks, leaning on the counter like we’re in some daytime drama. ‘Maksim’s world is no fairy tale. It’s like choosing to live in an action movie. With real bullets.’

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. ‘I don’t know. It’s scary. His life, the dangers… Am I ready to be a part of that? To bring a baby into it?‘

Ty lays it out straight. ‘You gotta tell him. This isn’t just your story anymore—it’s his too. And babe, you love him. That’s worth fighting for, isn’t it?’

His words hit, hard and true. Maksim, for all his alpha-ness, his complicated, dangerous life, he’s become my heart’s epicenter. But this—us plus a baby? I never saw it coming.

‘Yeah,’ I finally answer, conviction stirring amidst the uncertainty. ‘Yeah, he needs to know. I just… how do you drop a bomb like that? ‘

‘Just hit him with the truth,’ Ty advises, as if it’s the simplest thing in the world. ‘It’s generally a solid starting point.’

I hesitate, my mind racing through every possible scenario. ‘But it’s not just about the baby. I mean, how do I even begin to… wait, did you say that I love him?”

He cuts me off with a laugh that bounces off the shop walls, full of knowing and a bit too much amusement for my current state. ‘Girl, please. You’re head over heels for him. It’s like a neon sign flashing above your head every time his name comes up or he strides into this place. Stop fooling yourself.’

I open my mouth, ready to protest, to deny it, but the words just hang there, suspended in a bubble of truth I’ve been avoiding. Love. It’s a big word, a heavy concept, especially tangled up with a man whose life is a mosaic of complexity.

As I stand there, floundering in my own sea of denial, it hits me. Ty’s right. Somewhere between the peril and the deep, intense moments with Maksim, I’ve fallen—hard. It’s as terrifying as it is exhilarating.

“Shit, Ty, you’re right. I do love him. He’s just so different from anything I’ve known. He’s tough but he’s also soft with me. He’s incredibly sexy, and the things he does to me…” I trail off.

Ty scoots closer, a conspiratorial grin on his face. “Do tell.”

I laugh. “I never really thought that sex could be so adventurous before.”

Ty leans forward, his expression thoughtful. ‘Sometimes lovers have this knack for unveiling parts of ourselves we never knew existed. If it’s all good between you two, then why not explore? Just be safe and make sure you’re both on the same page.’

I grin at his supportive stance. ‘It’s all good, really. Better than good.’

His curiosity unabated, Ty waggles his eyebrows. ‘So, any juicy details you care to share with your bestie?’

I burst into laughter, shaking my head. ‘In your dreams. Some things are none of your business.’

He chuckles, conceding with a playful roll of his eyes. ‘Alright, alright, keep your secrets. But just know, I’m here for you, Tory. No matter what.’

A beat of silence passes.

‘So, this weekend,’ I finally say, the words feeling both foreign and utterly right, ‘I’ll tell him about the baby and, well, we’ll see where it goes from there.’

Ty nods, his expression softening to one of support. ‘His reaction will give you your answers. But for what it’s worth, I think you two have something special. And this baby just might be the best kind of surprise for you both.’

‘Thanks,’ I call over my shoulder, stepping out into the evening with a determination I didn’t know I had. ‘Wish me luck.’

‘You won’t need it,’ he calls back, his voice brimming with confidence. ‘Just tell him the truth.’

The truth. It’s simple, powerful, and utterly terrifying. But it’s mine and Maksim’s to face together, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Snapping back to the present, the impending conversation with Maksim hits me like a ton of bricks. What if Maksim doesn’t want this baby? He’s already got Adelina, and I’ve no claim on him, no expectations for him to play the knight in shining armor.

As I place a pair of boots next to my saucy weekend selections, the fear of rejection gnaws at me. Maksim Morozov, with all his complexity and ties to a world far removed from my own, has no obligation to step into the role of father to this unexpected new life. The possibility of his rejection sends a shiver down my spine, the kind that leaves you feeling more isolated than ever before.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. The bag looks back at me, a metaphorical Pandora’s box of weekend wear and life-altering revelations. I’ve fallen for the man, truly and deeply, but this—this is a curve ball neither of us saw coming.

I have to be strong, for myself and for this baby. Maksim’s reaction, whatever it may be, will chart the course of our future. It’s a daunting prospect, stepping into the unknown, potentially facing it alone. But I resolve to face whatever comes with as much grace and strength as I can muster.