Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Abby

I’ve never been with a guy like Alec before. He’s different from my normal type in every possible way. He’s a man of means, that much is clear, but there’s an air of mystery surrounding him, something dangerous lurking beneath his calm exterior. As he navigates the busy streets, I can’t help but wonder what kind of business he’s involved in. “So, Alec,” I start, trying to sound casual, “what do you do for a living?”

He glances at me with a smile, his eyes holding a glint of amusement. “Ah, well, that’s a bit of a complicated question. I’m in the real estate business, among other things.”

Real estate? Not the answer I expected, somehow, but I don’t press further. I’m slowly learning that with this guy, there’s always more to the story.

“I have a confession to make,” he says as we speed through the downtown streets. He glances at me, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. “My name—my real name—is Maksim. Alec was just a name I used for convenience. It’s easier to go by a different name sometimes.”

“Easier?” I repeat, puzzled. “Why would it be easier to use a fake name?”

He shrugs, as if trying to downplay it. “Sometimes, in my line of work, it’s better to keep things a bit more discreet. You know, to protect myself and the people I care about.”

His answer only adds to the mystery surrounding him. What kind of real estate work could possibly warrant using a fake name?

“In real estate? Are you sure you’re not a murderer?” I ask playfully, although to be quite frank I’m not so sure myself that it isn’t a fair question to ask. Especially when his only response is a snort, as he takes a left and continues driving.

Before I can press further, we pull up in front of a small restaurant. My jaw drops when he ushers me inside. It’s unlike any place I’ve been before. The atmosphere is hushed and luxurious, and I can tell by the opulent décor that it’s expensive.

“Wow,” I say, my eyes wide with astonishment. “This place is so pretty. You didn’t have to bring me somewhere fancy.”

Maksim chuckles, a low and infectious sound. “Why not indulge ourselves? Life is too short not to enjoy the finer things.”

I can’t argue with that logic, but the idea of spending so much money on a meal still astounds me. As we’re seated at a private table, I glance around and notice the attentive staff, the elegant settings, and the rich aroma of the food. It’s all so lavish, and I feel a bit out of place. At least I’m dressed for the occasion. I can’t imagine showing up at a place like this in jeans or a plain, simple skirt. “This place really is incredible, Maksim,” I whisper, trying out the unfamiliar name. His real name. Which I still don’t understand why he felt the need to hide, but it feels too late to go back on the subject now.

“I’m glad you agreed to join me,” he says, his eyes softening with warmth. “To be truthful, I wasn’t sure if it was the right idea for me to come to the fundraiser again this year.”

My shoulders hunch in a little self-consciously. Was he avoiding me?

“But in the end, you were the reason I came back.”

He reaches across the table to take my hand, his touch sending a tingle up my arm.

“Oh,” I manage, feeling a blush forming warm on my cheeks. “Then, why did you leave so quickly that morning? Or…or why not try to find me again all this time? You know who I am.”

His green eyes dart searchingly across my features. “Would you have wanted me to?”

“Yes,” I respond, probably a little too quickly, and I feel my cheeks heat further.

He looks down at where our fingers touch in the middle of the table, and a smile flickers against his lips, before something like worry descends over his features and, still looking down, he pulls back.

“I wanted to. I’ve been thinking about you a lot this past year. More than I think is probably normal, for the short time we spent together.”

Me too,I say internally, although I wait for him to finish so as not to interrupt.

“That morning,” he continues, before finally looking up, “I didn’t want to leave you, but I wasn’t ready for anything serious at the time. I was hoping to see you again at the fundraiser this year.”

My heart skips a beat at his words, and I’m relieved to know he was thinking of me just as much as I’ve been thinking about him.

“I was hoping I’d see you again, too,” I murmur, and his lips once more lift in a smile. “Also, there was something I wanted to tell you. It’s…it’s important.”

He leans forward, his eyes locked on mine with genuine interest. “You can tell me anything, Abby. I’m here to listen.”

I fidget with the napkin in my lap, trying to find the right words. “Well, you see, last year, after we met at the fundraiser, when we, um, spent the night together. I knew it was a one-time thing, and I obviously didn’t plan for it to happen. But, um, I…I got pregnant.”

Maksim’s expression shifts from curiosity to surprise, and I can practically see the gears turning in his head. “Pregnant?”

I nod, unable to tell what he’s thinking or how he’s taking the news. There’s nothing to do but keep pushing forward. “I wanted to find you. I really did. But all I had was your first name, and apparently not even your real first name. I hit a dead end and had no choice but to move forward on my own.”

He runs a hand through his hair, processing the information with a sharp intake of breath. “You kept the baby?”

“Do you wish I hadn’t?” I ask, and suddenly there’s a weight in the air, a solid feeling in my chest, that tells me his answer right now is very important, and will change the course of ‘us’ with finality.

“Of course not,” he replies without hesitation, and the tightness in my chest lessens. “I just…” He shakes his head and runs a hand through his hair. “I had no idea.”

“I gave birth a few months ago,” I continue, my heart pounding with each word. “To four babies. Quadruplets. It’s been overwhelming, to say the least.”

It’s so quiet that it feels for a moment like time has actually stopped.

“Quadruplets?” His eyes go wide as he finally breaks the silence. “That’s almost unheard of.”

“I know.” I nod, trying to steady my breath. “It’s been a lot to handle, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

His shocked expression begins to fade to a gentle curiosity. “Tell me about them,” he says softly. “I want to know more.”

Before I can delve into the details of my little miracles, his phone rings, breaking the moment. He lets out a frustrated curse under his breath, and I can see the tension in his shoulders. “I’m so sorry, beautiful,” he apologizes, standing up from the table. “I swear I wouldn’t take this call if it wasn’t an absolute emergency.”

“It’s okay,” I assure him, though I can’t help but feel a little disappointed that our conversation got cut short. “Go ahead, I’ll be here.”

He offers me a grateful smile and steps out onto the patio, leaving me alone at the table. As I sit and wait, I pull out my phone and see a few missed calls and a text from Maggie. I quickly call her back, hoping everything is okay with the babies, since she should be back home by now.

“Abby, thank goodness you answered,” Maggie says, her voice filled with relief. “I was getting worried. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I reply. “I’m just having dinner with Al—Maksim. Anyway, what’s going on? Is everything okay?”

“Everything is fine here, but…” There’s a brief pause before she continues, “There’s something you need to know. They found Booker Carlson. He’s been beaten and shot. Abby, he’s dead.”

My heart skips a beat, and I feel a chill run down my spine. “Dead? Are you sure?”

“I saw it on my socials. One of the people on his blog team came to check on him for some reason and saw the body, posted a reel about it on Instagram,” Maggie confirms. “It’s already blown up with thousands of views before the police even got there. I sent you a screenshot so you could see for yourself. There’s also a link to the video, but I don’t know if the police will have taken it down by now or not.”

I look down at my phone and pull up the message so I can see the picture she sent. The link works, and I watch the video with rounded eyes. “Oh my God,” I say out loud before I can stop myself.

“Abby?”

I recognize that neighborhood, the building that the person filming the video is walking towards and into. I just came from there.

“I have to go.” I swallow hard and look around, but everything is still so calm and serene here in the restaurant. It’s crazy to think we’ve just come from a crime scene. A murder scene. And I’m here with the murderer. So much for listening to my own instincts. I’ve been joking about it with Al—with Maksim, all this time, and… and…

I think I’m going to throw up.

“I’ll be there soon to pick up the kids.”

I hang up the phone and look around again, my mind racing. I need to get out of here. Like, now.

Maksim is still out on the patio, talking on the phone. I stand up from the table and start walking toward the door, belatedly noticing something I’d missed before—two men in black suits with slicked-back hair are standing at the entrance, and they’re both watching me.

Shit.

Swerving away from the front door, I make a beeline for the restroom instead. At least nobody will follow me in there. There’s a small window on the opposite wall, and I take about half a second to consider climbing out, but it’s too high up and I’m wearing a freaking ballgown.

I take a few calming breaths that don’t even come close to soothing my nerves and walk out into the foyer of the restaurant again, then head back toward our table as if nothing is wrong.

Maksim still isn’t there, thank God.

At the last moment, I make a split-second decision. There’s no way I can stay here with someone who just murdered a man. Someone who now knows I have four babies. His babies.

I turn toward the kitchen and take a few calm steps, then I run. I run through the back of the restaurant, ignoring the chef and servers who are yelling after me. I run until I make it to the back door, then I keep running.

I have to get back to my babies before Maksim does. I don’t care if it’s illogical or not, I don’t even know if he’s interested in his kids at all. But I’m filled with a sudden panic, and all I can think about is keeping my babies safe.