Later that night, I’m lying on my bed and staring at the red dress hanging on the outside of my closet door. Biting my lip, I can’t stop remembering how Connor touched me through the satin gown, and I’m surprised there’s not a wet spot right where he teased me through the fabric.
God, I had an orgasm fully clothed in the middle of the art museum with a ton of people gathered together only a couple of galleries over from where we were. Either I’m turning into a hussy or I’m falling for Connor Mennetti.
I’m not sure what’s worse. Wait, yes, I do. Developing feelings for Connor is definitely worse. Like on a scale of one to ten, it’s a 12 and the absolute worst thing that could possibly happen.
No, wait. I take that back. The worst thing is I’m now carrying his baby while still lusting after him even though he’s my family’s biggest enemy and wants us all dead. Good times.
With a sigh, I drop an arm over my eyes. I have never been so confused in my life. I’m so desperate for advice and debating what to do when there’s a light knock on my door. Sitting up, I call out, “Come in!”
The door swings inward and my younger sister Solana steps inside.
“Solana!” I exclaim and hurriedly slide off the bed. We run to each other and embrace. “I didn’t know you were coming home tonight!”
Solana has been studying abroad in Europe and I didn’t expect her back for a few more days.
“Yeah, I decided to leave a little early. Almost two months in Europe looking at sculptures and paintings is enough. I missed you and New York.”
“Your timing couldn’t be any more perfect,” I say and close my door.
“What’s going on?” she asks.
I go back over, plop down on my bed and sigh. “A lot has happened since you’ve been gone,” I say carefully, not exactly sure where to begin. “But I need some advice. Desperately.”
“Of course. What’s going on?”
Solana tucks her small feet beneath her and leans forward. She’s the spitting image of our mother, Anna, when she was young. Long chestnut hair that’s naturally wavy and thick, hazel eyes and the perfect skin tone that always looks tan and flawless. I’m much paler with hair and eyes that are deeper and darker compared to my sister.
I immediately start wringing my hands. “So, Dad told me his plans for Antonio and I-how he wants us engaged and then married by the time I turn 25. You know how I feel about the situation. I don’t love Antonio and I never will. Especially after seeing him beat a man up so ruthlessly. It was
horrible, Lana. I saw how completely cold and cruel he can be and after witnessing that, I made a decision.”
Solana nods, encouraging me to continue.
My cheeks flush. “I decided he wasn’t getting my virginity. So I did something a little crazy.”
“Oh, no. What did you do?”
“I snuck out my window, went across town, picked a random bar and chose the man I wanted to sleep with.” Her eyes go wide at my admission. We had a one-night stand and I left before he woke up because I didn’t know what else to do. I didn’t want things to be awkward or for me to look desperate.”
“I can’t say I blame you. If papa were forcing me to marry someone I didn’t love, I’d probably throw myself off the roof rather than go through with it.”
My little sister is so passionate, a diehard romantic and a firm believer in love at first sight. If anyone would understand my situation, I knew it would be her.
“Was it at least romantic?” she asks.
The butterflies begin fluttering in my stomach when I think back to that night. “More than just romantic,” I assure her, and she squeals. “He was… incredible. So kind and gentle. It was so amazing the best night of my life – and I don’t regret my decision. But there’s more. Always a twist, right?”
“Of course,” Solana says dryly. I take a deep breath and then say, “We didn’t exchange last names and he told me his name was Lee. I didn’t think much of it until connecting the dots later.”
“What do you mean?” Solana asks.
“The man I slept with is Connor Mennetti,” I reveal, watching my sister’s reaction closely.
“What?” she cries, eyes going wide. “As in our ancient rivals? That Mennetti family?”
“The very same.”
“Holy shit,” Solana mutters. “No one else knows?”
“Not even Connor. But things have gotten, ah, extremely complicated.”
“How so?” she asks, narrowing her hazel eyes. “Have you fallen for him?”
“So hard,” I say passionately. “I know it’s insane and I know he declared war on all of us, but when I’m with him, it’s so magical and wonderful. I can’t even fully describe it. Everything is perfect.”
“And he has no idea you’re a Volkanov?”
I shake my head.
“Oh, my God, it’s like Romeo and Juliette!” Solana declares and claps her hands.
“I hope not! You remember they both die in the end, right?”
“Well, I mean, all except for that whole dying thing.”
I chuckle, pull in a deep, steadying breath and meet my sister’s gaze. “There’s one other small thing. One very, very small thing.”
“What?” She leans forward, beyond curious.
I swallow past the lump in my throat and force myself to tell her my secret. “I’m pregnant.”
For a stunned moment, she doesn’t say anything, but her mouth drops open. “Ohhh, wow.”
“I’m so scared, Lana. No one knows but you. I just don’t know what to do. If I tell Connor, he might try to punish me because of my last name. Or take the baby away. When he finds out the truth, he’s going to hate me. I’m engaged to Antonio, but he has no idea. But how can I expect Antonio to raise another man’s child? Especially, our enemy’s baby? And if Dad finds out, it’ll probably be enough to send him into an early grave.”
“Oh, sis,” she murmurs, voice full of sympathy. “You said you care for Connor, right?”
“I’m falling head over heels for him. I almost had a heart attack earlier tonight when I bumped into him at a charity event.”
“What’s happened?”
“I saw him and ran. Of course, he followed me and cornered me. He said he hasn’t stopped thinking about me and even tried to find me. He actually seemed upset that I left in the middle of the night, and he said he isn’t losing me again.”
“Really?” A dreamy look washes over her face.
“He made me give him my number and said he’s calling tonight.”
“You need to tell him you’re pregnant. I think you should do that first. Then slip in the fact your last name is Volkanov. Later, though.”
These secrets are eating me up alive. I’m not sure how much longer I can keep them all.”
“Everything is going to be okay because true love always triumphs, right?”
“I wish I felt as confident as you. There are just so many variables and different ways he could react. God, Lana, what if he hates me after I tell him who I really am? What if he hates me and our baby?”
The thought tears through me and my eyes burn with salty wetness.
Solana reaches over and squeezes my hand. “He doesn’t hate you and it’s not the baby’s fault you two were careless.”
“We weren’t, though,” I insist.
“Did you know that condoms are only 98 percent effective?”
“What? What about the other two percent?”
“Exactly.”
“Well, that’s interesting. And good to know for future reference.”
I let out a soft sigh and can’t help but smile. Sweet Solana is pure as the driven snow and like me, she’s kept to her small circle of friends and studies. We’ve never been party girls or rebels, yet here I am in quite the predicament after one night of rebellion.
“Here’s what I think,” she says softly. “I think you should meet up with Connor and tell him the truth – about who your family is and that you’re pregnant with his baby. Your gut tells you he cares, so you can’t keep these things from him. Because he’s going to find out eventually and if it doesn’t come from you…” Her voice trails off and a shiver runs through me. “Well then he’s going to be upset and I can’t blame him.”
“I wish it were that easy. But don’t forget about his father, too. He blames us for his dad being shot down.”
“Was it someone on our side?” Solana asks quietly.
“I don’t know. No one ever claimed responsibility. But he believes it was, which gives him another reason to hate us. What if he uses our baby as revenge? Or if somehow, he hurts the baby to get back at me? Or what if he takes the baby away?” A million scenarios are running through my mind and they’re all awful.
“Oh, sis, I wish I could see into the future and let you know how he’ll react. But if you care for him then you need to trust him. One step at a time, though. Maybe tonight you tell him one thing. I think it’ll be a huge weight off your heart.”
I think over her words and slowly nod. I know she’s right, but I’m so damn scared. “Thanks, sis,” I say, and we hug.
“Let me know how it goes, okay?”
“I will. Keep your fingers crossed.”
“Always,” she murmurs, then gets up and walks over to the door.
“Good night.”
“Night,” I murmur and watch her leave, wishing my life was still as uncomplicated as Solana’s.
In the back of my mind, I think my best move is to tell him about the baby first. Either he’s going to run for the hills and then there’s no point in telling him my true identity or he’s going to want to try to make things work. Then I’ll have to tackle the second problem of my family heritage.
But like Solana said – one step at a time.