Chapter 19 - Gwen

I’m fucking pregnant.

Tears begin to stream down my face as I stare down at the positive test. Another one rests on the floor by my feet with the same result; the shock of seeing the first result sent me straight into denial, and I took another, insisting it must have been wrong.

But it wasn’t.

I am fucking…. Pregnant .

Fear seizes my lungs, closing up my throat and making it difficult to breathe as the tears flow more rapidly, pattering against the floor silently. How could this happen? How could I be so irresponsible? Roman and I have only had sex a handful of times so far, and I’ve fallen pregnant already.

What does this mean for me? For us? For our future? I can’t imagine someone like Roman, who has lived a life of danger his entire life, would want a child. At least not right now, if anything. We’ve barely had Riley back and gotten the Vultures off our trail, and I’m pregnant with his child.

I wrack my mind, a whirlwind of thoughts swarming my head, struggling as I think of what I’m going to say. Should I sound disappointed? Scared? Casual? Excited? I wonder how he will react. Will he be angry? Disappointed? Ecstatic? Will he want to keep it or kick me to the curb?

Before I can think any deeper, I hear a loud bang outside, followed by the sound of footsteps.

“Riley, did you hear that?” I whisper, my heart racing.

No answer.

Fear grips my chest as I walk out of the stall, poking my head out first towards the door. “Riley!” I try again, this time slightly louder, but to no avail.

Pocketing the positive test, I dare to venture forward. It’s fine, I tell myself. I’m overreacting. Some poor employee probably knocked over one of the carts, and Riley’s waiting for me outside the door, perfectly fine. Nobody is out to hurt us. And the Vultures know better than to try to come after us.

I open the door, looking out. Riley is standing in front of me, waiting, and my body immediately relaxes. “There you are—” I begin, but I don’t finish my sentence when suddenly, something catches in my peripheral. I turn to see a group of men emerge from the shadows, their presence instantly sending alarms ringing in my head.

Before I can react, one of them lunges at me, grabbing my arm with a vice-like grip. I push Riley behind me instinctively, trying to shield her, but it’s too late. Panic surges through me as I fight back, shoving my elbow into the guy’s gut, but he doesn’t budge.

“Run!” I scream at Riley, but the words barely leave my lips before they grab her, too, pulling us apart

“No! Let her go!” I shout, my voice filled with desperation as I’m dragged away.

Riley’s cries echo in my ears as they push us out of the store and outside. I scream at the top of my lungs, and so does Riley, our attempts to no avail as they shove us into a vehicle. I struggle, thrashing against them, but they’re too strong. Fear floods my mind, drowning out rational thought as I’m thrown into the backseat, bound and helpless.

“What do you want?” I demand, forcing the words through gritted teeth, my heart pounding.

“Relax, sweetheart. You’ll find out soon enough,” one of the men taunts, a smirk plastered across his face.

As they drive off, I can only think about how foolish I was to think I could sneak out without consequences. Roman will be furious when he finds out.

I’m sorry , I think to myself as if I’m speaking to him. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.

Time becomes an abstract concept in the confines of the vehicle. My thoughts swirl—thoughts of Riley, Roman, and the danger surrounding us. I’m terrified, and it’s not just for myself.

Finally, what feels like hours later, the car comes to a stop, and they pull me out into the damp, chilly air. My heart races as I scan the area—a dark, decrepit building looms before me, the scent of decay heavy in the air. My stomach churns at the thought of what awaits us inside.

“Welcome to your new home, ladies,” one of the men sneers as they drag me through the entrance. The interior is dimly lit and oppressive.

I can barely breathe as the walls seem to close in around me. They lead me deeper into the building, the atmosphere thick with tension and unspoken threats. Just as I’m trying to gather my thoughts, I spot Riley a few feet away.

“Riley!” I call out, relief flooding me at the sight of her. We’re together, at least.

“We’re going to be okay,” she whispers, but I can hear the tremor in her voice.

I cling to that reassurance as the men shove us into a small, grimy room, locking the door behind them. The panic rising in my chest feels suffocating. I can’t help but remember why I snuck out in the first place, recall the plus sign on the pregnancy test.

I’m pregnant.

God, I’m really pregnant.

My heart sinks at the realization. I can’t let this stress affect the baby or whatever might be growing inside me. I had hoped to share that joy with Roman about it soon, but now I’m trapped in a nightmare, unsure when I’ll get out— if I get out.

“I don’t know how long we’ll be here,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “But we’re going to get out of this.”

“Of course we will,” Riley replies, her determination shining through the fear.

But just as I feel a flicker of hope, the door creaks open, and the same sleazy guy from before steps back in, a sick grin on his face. I remember his name—Luther. One of the men who took Riley originally and the one Roman punched in the Milovs’ meeting with the Vultures. “Time to have a little chat, ladies.” He says.

The way he leans against the doorframe makes my skin crawl. “Your husband is going to be desperate to find you,” he continues, his voice oozing malice. “And we have a few ideas on how to make him cooperate.”

My breath hitches in my throat as he leans closer, and I steel myself. I won’t let them see how scared I am. My heart races, but I force myself to stay calm, to think of Roman and our unborn baby. I won’t let them hurt us.

As the man starts outlining scenarios that make my skin crawl, I realize I have to fight back. I can’t let this situation control me. My fingers tremble against the ropes binding me, but I gather my strength and take a deep breath, trying to channel the courage I know Roman would want me to have.

Suddenly, Luther steps closer, a menacing gleam in his eyes. I know I need to act fast .

Summoning every ounce of determination, I prepare to defend myself.

I won't go down without a fight.

The man's intentions are crystal clear as he moves closer, the dark glint in his eyes sending another wave of fear coursing through me. I can’t let him overpower me—not now, not when I have so much to lose.

He sneers, the kind of smile that sends shivers down my spine. “You see, your husband is going to have to make some hard choices if he wants to see you both alive again.”

I take a deep breath as my heart races viciously. Thoughts of Roman flash through my mind. How he looks at me, the warmth of his embrace, and the shared moments fill my heart with sadness and hope. I can’t let this man break that bond. I can’t let him take that from me. I won’t, especially not now that I’m carrying his child.

As Luther inches closer, my instincts kick in. I shift my body, my tied hands moving just enough to free a bit of slack. When he’s within reach, I brace myself and drive my knee hard into his groin. The shock on his face is gratifying as he doubles over, letting out a choked gasp.

Adrenaline surges through me as I scramble back, desperately trying to distance myself. I know I’m still tied up, but that doesn’t matter. I have to fight. I can’t let them take control of me.

Before he can recover, I spot a metal object on the floor—a discarded piece of scrap from who knows what. I lunge for it in one swift motion, my hands fumbling against the ropes. I can feel my heart pounding in my chest, and the noise of my pulse drowns out everything else. But Luther recovers quickly, lunging at me and latching onto my back with his sweaty palms.

“Get away from her!” Riley screams from behind me, her voice laced with defiance.

I fight with him as he tries to pull me back, reaching for the metal object. My eyes light up as I’m able to get a grip on the makeshift weapon tightly. I shoot a glance back at Riley, her eyes wide with fear but filled with determination. We can’t be weak; we have to protect each other. Together, we’ll find a way out.

Luther fights harder, but I’m ready this time. Right when he turns my body around to face him, I swing the metal piece toward him, my instincts taking over. It catches him off guard, grazing his arm, and he stumbles back, cursing under his breath.

“Run!” I shout at Riley, hoping she hears me over the chaos of the moment.

With our limited options, we charge toward the door, but it’s locked tight. I press my shoulder against it, trying to find any weakness, my mind racing through potential escape routes.

Before I can formulate a plan, the door bursts open, and in an instant, everything shifts.