Chapter 17 - Gwen

The soft light of morning filters through the curtains, warming the room as I sit on the edge of the bed, my thoughts swirling like a chaotic storm. It’s been just over twenty-four hours since we rescued Riley, yet the emotional rollercoaster of last night feels like it happened seconds ago. The anxiety of waiting, the uncertainty of whether we’d bring her back safely—it all still lingers like a heavy fog in my mind, thick and unrelenting.

I remember pacing the living room, my heart racing with every minute that ticked by. I could feel the weight of every unanswered question pressing down on my chest. Had Roman and the guys succeeded? Were they safe? Was Roman dead? Was Riley? I tried to remain calm, but I felt so helpless, just a woman waiting for news, anxious for my husband’s safety.

When they finally returned, the relief that washed over me was overwhelming. Riley’s fragile form, slightly bruised but most importantly alive, filled me with a sense of gratitude I hadn’t realized I was capable of. I threw myself into her arms, squeezing her tightly, knowing we had triumphed over darkness. But as I pulled back, my gaze shifted to Roman. He was hurt, and the worry knotted in my stomach again.

Last night, once the dust settled, I found myself tending to him, my caring instincts kicking in. The way he leaned back against the couch, his expression a mix of pain and defiance, made my heart race. I wanted to scold him for putting himself in harm’s way, yet the urge to care for him overwhelmed any frustration.

As the night wore on, I didn’t want to admit it, but every brush of our hands and stolen glance sent me a thrill. I could tell he appreciated my attention, and I found comfort in the idea that we could face anything together.

Now, I breathe in deeply, trying to shake off the remnants of anxiety as I prepare to meet Riley again. Anya and Maria took her away from me last night while I tended to Roman, helping her clean herself up and setting her up with a delicious, fresh meal in the guest room. I can’t wait to see her and talk to her. I’m so glad she’s safe.

The sun shines brightly outside, a stark contrast to the turmoil of emotions from last night. Roman is at the casino with his brothers, handling the business he came to Las Vegas for, and while I’m grateful he’s taking a moment to unwind, I find myself missing him already. I wish he could take the day off and spend the entirety of it in bed with me, but I know he has work to do.

I grab my phone and text Riley, eager to catch up with her. A few minutes later, I hear the soft knock on the door, and when I open it, I’m greeted by her radiant smile.

“Hey, you!” she beams, and I can’t help but smile back.

“Hey!” I greet her as I jump up from the bed and hug her. “I’m so glad you’re here. How are you feeling?”

“Better, actually. I think I’ve finally come down from the adrenaline high,” she laughs, stepping inside.

We walk downstairs, the smell of breakfast wafting in the air as we say hello to Maria in the kitchen before we settle down on the couch, and I can’t shake the lingering worries from my mind. “I’m just glad you’re okay,” I tell her. I’m playing it down—I’m overjoyed. I’m beyond ecstatic to have her back. My best friend, Riley, is home safe now, and most of the men responsible for taking her, I can only assume, are either dead or heavily injured.

Riley nods, her expression turning serious. “I know it must have been rough waiting for news. I can’t imagine how you felt.”

“It was tough,” I admit. “Every minute felt like an eternity. I just kept thinking about all the what-ifs.”

“Honestly, my experience wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. They were just… annoying more than anything,” she shrugs, her tone surprisingly casual.

I blink, taken aback. “Not bad?”

“Nope! I mean, I had my moments of panic, but it could have been worse.”

I can’t help but laugh at her nonchalance. “You’re one tough cookie, you know that?”

“Thanks! It runs in the family,” she quips, and I feel a sense of warmth at the thought of Roman and his protective nature. A small silence fills the air between us, and I notice how her eyes gloss over.

“I’m sorry,” Riley says. “For running away, for—”

“Stop,” I cut her off before she even had the chance to finish her sentence, resting a hand on her thigh and meeting her gaze with a stern one. “Don’t you dare.”

“I shouldn’t have run off—” Riley tries again, but I quickly cut her off the second time.

“Riley,” I warn, “don’t be silly. How the hell could either of us prepare to cope in a situation like that? I don’t blame you for running off. Hell, if Roman hadn’t grabbed me, I probably would have run off too.”

Riley’s lips part as if to protest, but the firm look I shoot her stops her in her tracks. She lets out a sigh, then shakes her head. “Enough about me. You have to spill everything,” She insists, her eyes now sparkling with mischief. “How have you been? Where have you been, I mean… what the hell did you do to end up living in this place?” Her eyes sparkle as she looks around the glorious interior of the penthouse.

I chuckle. “It hasn’t quite settled in for me yet,” I reply. I wasn’t kidding, either. This opulent yet dangerous lifestyle… I may have been introduced to it abruptly and unexpectedly, but some mornings, I wake up, and it still doesn’t feel real. “I… If I’m being honest, it’s a bit of a long story,” I go on as I meet her eyes once more. “Roman told me that if we shared his last name, it would give us more of a leverage in getting you back.”

Realization quickly sinks in, and Riley’s expressions drop. “You…” She stops herself, and I notice her voice breaking before she takes a breath. “You did this… for me?”

I feel sheepish now as I nod, but I can’t seem to find the words.

Riley’s eyes were well, and tears spilled in an instant. She crashed into me in a big hug. “Oh, Gwen,” She begins to cry, and I hold her tight, cradling her in my arms. “Thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you. God, how did I get so lucky to have a best friend like you?” She pulls away and wipes her tears. “I hope it hasn’t been rough for you.”

Immediately, I shake my head. “No, no, not at all. Actually… living here has been kind of… nice.” But nice was a painful understatement. Living in this penthouse, getting to know Roman more every day, spending time with him, sleeping with him… it felt like a dream I was dreading to wake up from.

Riley squints at me, seemingly reading her thoughts. “Are you two…?” She trails off, raising her brows at me.

I let out a sheepish laugh. “It’s… complicated.”

“Oh my god,” Riley laughs. “You’ve totally fallen for him!” I roll my eyes while hers suddenly widen. “Have you guys… you know…” She makes a circle with one hand and points a finger in and out of it with the other.

My cheeks heat at the sudden turn in conversation, and I snort. “God, Riley, don’t be so gross,” I say, but she stands her ground, looking at me expectedly. I let out a sigh. “Okay… yes, we… we had sex.”

Riley laughed victoriously, so loud that Maria looked over at us from the kitchen with concern. “How did it feel? I mean, you know… losing your virginity to him.”

My cheeks grow redder, and I ignore the heat daring to ignite in my lower regions as images of all our nights together flash in the front of my mind. “Um, it was… amazing.”

Her eyes widen. “Amazing? Oh my God, tell me more!”

I take a deep breath, unsure how much to share, but confiding in someone who understands feels good. “He’s just… he makes me feel alive like nothing else matters when we’re together.”

Riley nods, clearly invested. “That’s what it should be like! I can’t believe you finally took that leap. I mean, it's not like you had much of a choice, but God, I’m so happy it all worked out for you like this!”

As we talk, the gravity of our conversation begins to settle in a different way. I can’t help but think about how things have changed between Roman and me since that night. My heart flutters, but then another thought strikes me—a realization that makes my stomach drop.

My period is late.

Panic rises within me as I mentally calculate the days. Could it be possible? A million thoughts race through my mind—what if I’m pregnant? I’m not ready for that; we’re not ready for that.

“Hey, is everything okay?” Riley asks, her brow furrowed in concern. I realize only then that I drifted off mid-conversation, and I clear my throat in an attempt to shrug it off.

“Uh, yeah! Just… something I need to figure out,” I stammer, my heart racing as I try to mask my fear.

“Gwen, you look pale. Are you sure?”

“I’m fine!” I insist, forcing a smile. “Just a little tired, I guess.”

But my mind is racing, and I can’t ignore the worry gnawing at me. I need to confirm what I’m feeling, but how?

“Riley,” I say slowly, “what if we need to go to the pharmacy?”

“Pharmacy? Why?” she asks, tilting her head in confusion.

“I just… need something.”

Her expression shifts, a glimmer of understanding in her eyes. “You mean—”

“Shh! Not so loud!” I hiss, glancing toward the kitchen where Maria finishes preparing our meal. “I just want to make sure without anyone knowing.”

“Okay, okay! I get it,” she whispers, nodding. “But how do we do this? Won’t the guards—”

“I know how to sneak around. Now that you’re back, they’ll be a bit sloppier. We can go unnoticed,” I assure her, feeling a surge of determination.

“All right then, let’s do it!” she says, excitement bubbling in her voice.

I take a deep breath, a mix of anxiety and anticipation coursing through me. This is a decision that could change everything, but I can’t back down now. I need answers.

“Let’s get ready,” I say, and we prepare to sneak out together. My heart is pounding with the uncertainty of what lies ahead.

With my heart racing, I quietly grab a jacket and a hat, glancing at Riley as she does the same. We move quickly, keeping our voices low as we make our way to the house's back entrance. The guards stationed near the main entrance don’t seem to notice us slipping away, and a thrill of excitement courses through me for a moment.

“Are you sure you know a way?” Riley whispers, glancing back at me with worry and adrenaline in her eyes.

“I do! Just follow my lead,” I assure her, trying to sound more confident than I feel. The idea of escaping the confines of this world, even for just a moment, feels liberating.

We step into the cool air, the street outside the house quiet, the shadows of the early afternoon stretching across the pavement. I glance around, making sure the coast is clear, before motioning for Riley to follow me. We stick to the edges, avoiding any visibility, and my heart pounds louder with every step we take.

As we navigate the familiar streets, I can’t help but feel a sense of urgency. The closer we get to the pharmacy, the more my mind races with the implications of what I might discover.

What if I am pregnant? My life with Roman could change completely. It would change everything .

I shake my head. I can’t let this thought consume me right now; I need to focus.

When we finally arrive at the small pharmacy, I push the door open, and the cool air from inside hits me. I take a deep breath, ready to tackle this head-on. Riley follows closely behind, and I can see her curiosity piqued as she takes in the rows of products lining the shelves.

“I just need to find a pregnancy test, and we’ll be in and out,” I say, trying to remain calm.

“Okay, I’ll keep an eye out for anyone suspicious,” Riley replies, adopting a serious expression that makes me chuckle despite my nerves.

I weave my way through the aisles, searching for the family planning section. The bright lights feel harsh against my skin, and the normalcy of the pharmacy clashes with the whirlwind of emotions swirling in my head. I spot the shelf, my breath hitching as I approach.

My hands tremble slightly as I grab a box, its packaging stark and clinical. The reality of what this moment means crashes over me, and I hesitate, my mind racing with all the potential outcomes.

“Got it!” I whisper to Riley, who’s standing a few feet away, her posture alert and ready. I don’t know why we’re being so quiet, given that we’re far away from the guards now. I suppose we’re both still stuck in stealth mode.

“Let’s go!” she replies urgently, and I can feel my heart racing.

We make our way to the cashier, my palms sweating as I place the box on the counter. The cashier looks up, her expression neutral, but my stomach twists with anxiety. I can’t help but wonder what she would think if she knew the significance of this purchase.

“Anything else?” she asks as she rings up the test.

“No, just that,” I reply, forcing a smile that I hope doesn’t betray my anxiety.

“All right, that’ll be twenty dollars,” she says, and I fumble with my wallet, my fingers shaking as I pay.

Once the transaction is complete, I breathe a sigh of relief, grateful to be moving again. Riley and I slip out of the pharmacy, clutching the small box tightly in my hand, and I can’t help but feel a surge of empowerment.

“Now what?” Riley asks as we step back into the sunlight.

I think for a moment. I’m desperate to take this test and find out the results as soon as possible, but the last place I want to do it is in some grimy pharmacy washroom.

Yet, I can’t find it in me to wait.

“I’m going to take the test quickly,” I say, peering around at our surroundings. “Keep an eye out for me, will you?”

I arrive at the bathroom almost too quickly. The small space feels constricted, the air thick with tension as I set the box down on the counter.

“Are you ready for this?” Riley asks, her voice low as she leans against the door. Her expression is a mix of concern and support.

“Stop,” I immediately respond. I don’t even want to consider the possibility that my worst fear might be true. “I don’t know,” I admit a few seconds later, the weight of my emotions threatening to spill over. “What if I am? What does that mean for us? For Roman?”

She moves closer, her hand resting on my shoulder. “You’ll figure it out. You two seem like you are strong together. You can handle anything.”

Her words give me a bit of comfort, but I can’t shake the anxiety tightening in my chest. I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself as I open the box and pull out the test.

“Okay, just give me a minute,” I say, feeling the rush of urgency and fear pulse through me as I step into the bathroom stall and close the door behind me.

Once I’m alone, I stare at the test, my mind racing with possibilities. I can’t help but wonder what it would mean for Roman and me.

I have no idea if he’s ready to be a father or if I’m ready to be a mother.

I take another deep breath, focusing on the task at hand. “Just do it,” I tell myself, and I take my time to gather my thoughts before proceeding.

As I follow the instructions, a whirlwind of emotions engulfs me, and I can’t shake the feeling that my entire life is about to change.