The Billionaire's Secret Love Child(177)

“A girl needs to look her best for these sorts of things,” I replied. I began to turn but his arms caught me and held me in place.

“You needn’t have worked so hard, knowing what’s under that dress would make any man weep with joy.”

“Yes, but I find it best to wear clothing when I’m still easily recognized,” I replied.

“I need to speak with you in private,” he said. “Follow me to my study.”

I nodded. He released me and pushed his way through the opulent crowd while I followed. As we made our way, I couldn’t help but get the feeling that I was being watched. I looked about, and nothing seemed completely out of place, considering the party, except I noticed one person standing near the library with a drink in hand that tried his best not to make eye contact.

I didn’t have much time to think about the stranger as I was being shoved into a small office room that opened beneath the entry stairs. Viktor closed the door and twisted the key.

The room was surprisingly quiet and very cozy. A desk sat in the middle of the room with a high-backed leather chair protruding from behind. In front of the desk stood two smaller leather chairs. The wood paneling adorned the walls, and rich green carpet stained the floor.

Viktor dropped the key and bent down to kiss me deeply. I craned my neck to reach him, standing on my tip-toes as I did. His lean muscular arms grasped me tight as I melted into them.

He massaged his arm down my bare-backed dress, but I stopped him before he could go any lower.

“I’m here to talk, and it’s rather important,” I said.

“I have much to say to you as well, have a seat.”

I sat myself in the smaller of the chairs; Viktor walked to a nearby decanter and poured himself a glass of Cognac before sitting himself next to me.

“I hope you like the party, it was the only way I could think to get you here without pretenses,” he started.

“You are having this party because you couldn’t just invite me to come over?” I asked.

“Yes. I have too many people watching my home right now, and it’s important that I speak with you as soon as possible.”

I sighed, slumping into my chair and getting a little more comfortable. My nerves were back, and this time, it wasn’t about being the only dark-skinned woman at a party.

“There are a lot of people that don’t like me,” he said, “and many of them would stop at nothing to get revenge in any way they can. I want you to know this. I cherish our time together, and I need to keep you safe.”

“Viktor,” I said.

“Yes?” he asked.

“Before you continue, I need to tell you something …”

I stood back up and began pacing near the door.

“Last month, after you bought that painting from the gallery, we slept together.”

He smiled, appearing to remember fondly the night we gave in to our passions.

“Well, I visited a doctor, and I found out that I’m pregnant. You’re the only person I’ve been with in quite a long time, and I know you’re the only one who could be the father. I want to carry this baby to term.”

Viktor’s smile faded, but only a little. I started shaking, fearing the worst was in store for me. I waited for him to yell and me, and throw me from the building, but it never came. Instead, he just took me by the hand until I stopped shaking before answering.

“I would love to be the father to your child. But, this is very distressing for me.”

I nodded, assuming that he just thought I was telling him so that he would offer me money, but I so wished that he wouldn’t.

“Now I have two people that I must look after.”

He guzzled the last of the cognac in the glass and walked over to pour himself another. He turned to offer me a drink, then realized, shaking his head that I would surely turn it down.

“I have received a few warning calls this past week. There is a man that I used to work with, Anton. He’s dangerous and will stop at nothing to take his anger out on me.”

He returned to his seat, and I to mine. He leaned close to me and kissed my cheek.

“Brandy, he may try to kill me.”

I couldn’t believe the words I was hearing. It was at that moment that I wanted a drink quite badly.

“Why is he trying to kill you,” I asked.

He let out a sigh.

“I suppose now is as good a time as any to tell you,” Viktor stood up and went to his desk. From the top drawer, he produced a small wallet and handed it to me.

Inside the wallet was a hunk of bronze in the shape of a shield with a sword stabbing through the top. A familiar hammer and sickle displayed prominently in the middle. The markings and text were unfamiliar.

“That’s my badge from the former secret service. Anton was my partner,” he said.

I returned the badge and attempted to make sense of everything I had just heard.

“You didn’t answer my question,” I replied through a creaky voice.

Viktor flashed a smile.

“Ah, clever girl,” he said. “You’re right, I haven’t answered.”

He took the seat next to me again.

“You see, when Anton and I were coming up in the service he wanted more power. The more he grasped for it, the more it slipped through his fingers.”

“I don’t understand,” I said.