Page 60 of Bound Bride
19
ROSE
"I want to go out."
Calvin lifts his head from where he's crouched before me, tightening his shoelaces, and tilts his head to the side. "Where?"
"Out."
His brows dip ever so slightly. "I need more than that."
"Does everything I do really need some kind of entourage?"
Calvin finishes with the laces on his sleek, black shoes and climbs to his feet. "Yes."
"Why?"
"You are Konstantin's wife. You don't take a step out the front door without an entourage, hidden or otherwise."
"Oh my god, that's so fucking smothering!" Pushing off the door frame, I stalk into the kitchen and brush past him. "I just want to go out."
"Where?"
Irritation blooms under my ribs and swells as Calvin continues to speak in that ever-pleasant, calm voice of his. He's not the source of my anger, not really.
It's all on me and the time that's slipping away from me. I have one week left before Mathew comes knocking and if I'm not pregnant, this is all over.
"I need period products, okay? The stuff upstairs is giving me a rash, and it's embarrassing, and now I have to say it out loud and take seven guards with me to buy tampons?" Spinning on the spot, I face Calvin with my arms folded. "It's ridiculous."
"You shouldn't be embarrassed," Calvin replies. "You're not surrounded by boys or teenagers who snark at the mention of a period. Everyone here can handle something like that." Calvin glances down at his watch. "But in the interest of your health, it's likely better that we get you new products immediately."
"Without an entourage?" It'll be hard enough hiding a pregnancy test from him, never mind a handful of other watchful guards.
"They can follow," Calvin decides as he pulls out his phone. "Come on, I'll take you in my car."
He sends a quick message to someone, and five minutes later we're driving into the city without the usual entourage that follows either Kon or me. I'm under no illusions. They'll be with us soon and I doubt Calvin has taken me out like this without some kind of security measure in place.
Resting back in the passenger seat, I gaze out the window at the passing buildings but nothing catches my attention. My focus is shot if it isn't about having a baby.
Kon's condition should mean we fuck more often, but the man remains in control of his passions and we've only slept together twice since that night in the library.
Twice might be more than enough and not knowing is keeping me up at night.
I stifle a yawn, and then Calvin reaches forward and turns on some music.
It's a nice distraction for a little while until we arrive at a pharmacy. "I need money."
Calvin squints at me. "Kon put you on his credit card, right?"
"I'm not going in there using some platinum fucking card to buy tampons. Do you really want to argue with me right now? Because it feels like my womb is tearing itself apart and I'm half tempted to rip it out of me and throw it at you if you don't give me some cash."
Calvin's eyes widen and he stuffs his hand into his pocket, then presses a handful of crumpled bills into my waiting hand.
I don't even saythank you.
I leap out of the car and rush into the pharmacy while he races to follow me.
As luck would have it, the pregnancy tests are easy to spot, so I snatch one from the shelf, toss bills toward the cashier and sprint into the bathroom. The door slams shut behind me.
