Free Redemption: (Dark Desires Book 3) by Kourtney King

through to her, then surely her mother could. That plan was shot to shit
when she remembered the extent of Vladimir's resources. He had managed to find
her in the middle of the desert without the help of the authorities. She
doubted he would have any problem finding her in one of the most well-renowned
cities in the world. Another option would be to tell her mother everything,
including the rape she had endured and the part her boyfriend had played in it,
but that would betray her friend's confidence. No matter how dire the situation
was, she couldn't violate the trust their friendship was built upon. 
    In the end, she settled for
keeping a close watch on her friend and the psychopath she was currently living
with. She could smell the bullshit he emitted and vowed to expose him for what
he was. She knew men like Vladimir; she had dated one for two years, and it was
only a matter of time before he snapped. She may have been stupid and blind
back then, but she was much wiser now.

Chapter Eight
     
    A week ago Vlad had found out
that his girlfriend was pregnant. He hadn't changed his mind about wanting
children of his own, and he definitely didn't want them if they belonged to
another man, especially one as vile as Keyaan. It seemed that his thoughts on
the matter were of no significance. Val was adamant about keeping them.
    They were at an impasse which
caused a strain on their already taxed relationship. He didn't want to lose
her, but his stance had been clear and remained unchanged. Whatever it was that
Valerie's friends and doctor were saying seemed to be reinforcing the idea that
everything was going to be okay when he knew better. She would regret it, and
he would be the one left to pick up the pieces.
    Right now he was desperate.
After thinking long and hard about what he could do to bridge their recent gap,
Vlad came up with a new plan. They could relocate, move to a different country
as he had originally planned when he rescued her from her kidnapper. Knowing
his angel, she most likely wouldn't agree and would convincingly tell him why
they should stay where they were. He needed to think of a way to strengthen
their relationship. The question was what? The answer hit him, and he put it
into action. He just needed to convince her that this was what was best for
them.

 
    The following morning when she
came down for breakfast, he had already prepared her a plate of toast, bacon,
eggs and beans. He sat them down on the dining room table along with a cup of
green tea.
    "Thank you," she said
as she took her seat. "We're starving."
    He ground his teeth at the term
"we" she had recently adopted. It felt as if she were constantly
reminding him of the devil's spawn she was carrying. No, he couldn’t risk losing
her after everything they had overcome these past few months. There was only
one option left, and he was about to present it to her. He prayed that she
agreed. Sitting down next to her, Vlad turned to face her.
    Valerie was ravenous this
morning. Food had never tasted so wonderful. She could feel Vlad staring at her
and hoped that whatever he had to say would not cause another argument in their
tension-filled relationship. She put her knife and fork down and gave him her
attention. "What is it?"
    “Will you marry me?” Vlad
asked.
    Val was stunned. Was he
serious? On cue, he pulled out a red, Cartier box, opened it to reveal a
five-carat, solitaire diamond set on a platinum band and placed it on the table
next to her. She was in love with him, had told him as much numerous times and
had yet to hear it said back. She knew he cared about her, but they had never
quite discussed marriage.
    Only recently had they spoken
of children after finding out that she was pregnant. She had always seen
herself as a mother where he had not thought of having a family or extending
one; there was already a conflict of ideals between the two of them. She
couldn't enter a marriage that was doomed to failure based on how things