The Mafia Surrogate

are that Casey Finch's lif

omach as if her body already knew it no longer belonged to her. Her suitcase sat beside her, half-zipped, tired like her. The

deep voice ras

e didn't have the energy.

rget even if you begged the universe to help you. Dressed in an all-black tailored suit, his presenc

anned her lazily. "Good. Makes it easier not to

that?" she a

about it felt like a knife

ot with her body. Her mind screame

o had bought her womb

d like cold leather and clean cruelty. The driver didn't speak. Ivan didn't either. He scrolled through his phone, texting rapidly. Probably arra

le. A place too perfect to ever feel w

No stress. No visitors. And don't speak to me unless I ask you to," Ivan instru

as small. "What

mid-step. His

er w

he child

. He curled his lip. "You'll

olled. But deep inside, sh

uldn't

t

me. Slee

tracing the patterns on the ceiling. Was it worth it? Nine mill

ills stacked on the kitchen counter back home. She remem

startl

even answer, the

v

of whiskey in hand. His tie was loosened, and his

st you," he

she replied, h

Ivan laughed. Not a real laugh-just a short, dry one

re here to serve. This isn't a

"You think I w

"Don't want anythin

she muttered, "Even mon

pau

ckered in his eyes. But it was g

up twice. The doctor said it

he snapped after hearing her sob in the bathroom

listen," s

That dangerous one. That may

loser, invad

t your pla

t I'm a human,

get. I just

alke

. And then laugh

d she gotten

weeks

ke diary entries in her mind. "Dear Casey, t

to the baby growing

h, but at least you'll

Some days she just wanted h

e nev

on

chef screamed. The guard panicked. And Ivan? Ivan

before she h

e docto

iliar, somehow. His jaw clenche

child," he growled, half

the firs

fear in

for

the

the c

-what if one day, just one d

after all, we