Within two months, Zoya had cried as seven more women were rescued. She hadn’t known them well but that didn’t matter. The first day Anson asked her if she’d like to move the save to its proper place beneath the line, she’d cried with joy as she added a woman named Elizabeth to the line that had her own photo as well as Sophia’s. Each subsequent time had her giving thanks to every man, so many she’d never actually meet, who had risked their lives to get them to safety. Learning that the women had been returned to their families and would have a chance to heal was the most important thing. The Steeles, working with Hadi, whom she learned had insisted on financing the incredibly expensive operations, were able to hire teams of men and organize rescue operations around the world. Now only three photos remained at the top of the screen, Natalia’s still in the first position.

When no intel had come in threatening the Steeles or indicating that the ranch was a target, regardless of Poplov’s posting the location, security was relaxed enough that the women were given permission to go into town. Of course, Zoya wondered if that decision had been spurred on by the fact that one night at dinner Jennie announced that unless she got to the grocery store, the menu for the foreseeable future would only include the vegetables she’d yet to harvest, mostly consisting of large, beautiful beets.

“I’m sure Zoya wouldn’t mind whipping up another vat of borscht.”

Zoya had giggled as every man at the table had looked at each other, desperation clearly written in their expressions. “I’d love to, and this time I can add a few slices of raw ginger. It gives it a special zing even though it’s a cold soup.”

“No!” Maddox and Stryder said in unison before Stryder waved a hand to his older brother. “Go ahead.”

“No, that’s all right, you can—”

“No, no, as the eldest, I give you the floor.”

“Gee thanks,” Maddox muttered and then sighed. “What we mean is that we prefer our ginger to be used in… um, different ways.”

Zoya had to wonder why his words had Adira blushing and squirming on her chair. She also had to wonder why Stryder grinned and cocked his eyebrow when she looked at him. She didn’t have to wonder why her nipples instantly hardened as she knew they did that every single time he had that look in his eyes. “Okay, I’ll leave the ginger out of the next batch and just add more onions and cabbage. How’s that?”

Drake shook his head. “I never thought I’d see the day that my sons were too chicken to tell you the truth. While we love you, Zoya, we can’t say the same about your soup. It might be a favorite in Russia, but frankly, a bowlful of bright red goop with a bunch of chunky vegetables congealed in a cold broth just isn’t our cup of tea.”

“Well, unless I get to the store pronto, that’s what you’ll be having for breakfast, lunch and dinner!” Jennie announced.

The next morning, Zoya was climbing out of the truck and taking a few of the empty canvas bags that Jennie had brought along. As they walked across the parking lot towards the super Wal-Mart, she couldn’t help but remember the last time she’d been inside. Even then, without yet loving her, Stryder had been so understanding. She smiled, wondering what had become of the high heels she’d left on the floor. The moment the trio walked through the door, the aroma that assaulted her had her remembering that there was an actual fast food restaurant just inside. Her stomach clenched and her mouth started watering.

“You all right?”

Forcing herself to look away from the bright yellow arches, she saw that Jennie already had a cart.

“Um, yes, but I need to use the bathroom.” She wasn’t lying—not exactly, as she felt her bladder clench as well.

“They’re right over there,” Jennie said with a nod towards the restrooms. “Here, I’ll take those and you can find us when you’re done. I’m going to get some more mason jars for canning and then be in the grocery department.”

“Thanks, I’ll find you,” Zoya said, handing her the bags and turning towards the bathrooms. Once she was done, she stepped out and looked around. When the coast was clear, she practically sprinted to the restaurant.

“Welcome to McDonald’s, what can I get for you today?”

Zoya didn’t even bother looking at the menu above the counter. Instead, she looked at the young teenager and asked, “What is the largest hamburger you have?”

“We have the sirloin burger—”

“I’ll take that. Does it come with cheese?” When he said it could, she smiled. “Great, I want two… no make that three slices. Oh, and what about bacon?”

“Well, it doesn’t normally come with bacon but I can ask. That would cost extra though.”

“I don’t care, just add a lot, please.”

“Do you want fries and something to drink?”

“Just water. Oh, it’ll be quick, right? I mean, I don’t have a lot of time.”

The look the boy gave her said she was acting a little strange but she didn’t care. She was afraid that if she didn’t get her hands on the hamburger immediately, she just might jump over the counter and fix it herself. “We’ll have it right out.”

Once he’d consulted his manager and rung up the burger, she paid and then paced back and forth, her eyes scanning the area and muttering for them to hurry up. When her number was called, she grabbed the tray and sat at the closest table, barely catching herself from whimpering as she tore off the wrapping. The first bite was pure nirvana and she couldn’t contain a soft moan. The second and third just as fabulous and she finally paused to take a sip of her water. God, who knew that food could be so delicious? She’d taken another bite, pondering if she had time to order another when she heard, “Zoya?”

Her head whipped up and the bite she’d just taken got stuck in her throat. She sputtered and coughed as Adira pounded her on the back until she swallowed and could breathe.

“What are you doing?”

“Shit… um, I mean thanks… I mean, oh hell,” Zoya said. Peeking around Adira and not seeing Jennie, she added, “Promise you won’t rat me out!”

Adira laughed. “Of course I’m not going to rat you out. In fact, I think I’ll join you.”

“Really?”

“Well, I’m not going to eat a hamburger but I do have a craving for a thick chocolate milkshake.”

When Adira moved towards the counter to order, Zoya picked up her burger again but turned and called, “Order me some of those nugget thingies, please.”

With her burger finished, Zoya dipped her chicken nugget in a container of honey-mustard sauce and popped it into her mouth. “Hmm, I don’t know. I can’t decide which one I like the best.”

“Not for lack of tasting,” Adira said, sucking down the last of her large milkshake. “You’ve got every kind of sauce they make. Girl, I’ve never seen anyone eat so fast and so much.”

“You obviously haven’t eaten BBQ with Stryder,” Zoya said, the hand holding the last nugget hovering over the row of sauce containers and finally dipping into the sweet and sour one. After swallowing her last bite, she sat back. “I don’t know what happened. I think I was possessed. I felt like, if I didn’t get meat inside my stomach and fast, I was going to go on some rampage or something.”

Adira giggled and shook her head as she gathered up the trash strewn across the table. “I know what you mean. I love Jennie and her cooking but sometimes, well, let’s just say my carnivore side comes out. But we’d better go before she comes looking for us. I left her in the home goods department because I had to go to the bathroom. I’m sure she’ll be in the grocery section by now.”

They walked towards the grocery aisles before Zoya stopped. “What’s wrong?” Adira asked.

“I don’t feel so good,” Zoya said, her stomach roiling.

“I can’t say I’m really surprised. I mean a hamburger and two orders of chicken nuggets. I think maybe you overdid it just a bit.”

“Oh, God, I think I’m going to be sick,” Zoya said, and then turned and bolted towards the front of the store. She barely made it into a stall before losing everything she’d eaten, which certainly wasn’t as pleasant coming up as it had been going down. Pushing the door open, she found Adira waiting with a wet paper towel.

“Thanks,” Zoya said, using it to wipe her mouth before she went to the sink. Leaving the bathroom, Adira pointed to one of the benches along the wall.

“You still look a little green. Why don’t you sit here and we’ll come get you after we check out?”

Not sure she wasn’t going to need the bathroom again, Zoya nodded. Once seated, she leaned her head against the wall and closed her eyes. That’s what you get for being such a little piggy, she thought. Thinking of fat little pigs had her thinking of The Flying Pig which, in turn, had her remembering the night she and Stryder had played… she in the role of a poor little cowgirl who had been thrown from her horse. Her big strong cowboy had, of course, not only rescued her but insisted on giving her a very thorough, very intimate examination to make sure she had no broken bones. The memory of giggling when the cowboy became the doctor, had Zoya smiling.

She couldn’t help but remember the night she and Adira had been washing the dishes and heard their men arguing behind them.

“It’s our turn,” Maddox said. “Shit, ever since we got back from Dubai, we’ve barely gotten to use the dungeon.”

“Bullshit, you and Adira were in there all night just a day ago. It’s our turn.”

Zoya had cut her eyes to Adira to see her trying not to giggle, whispering, “It’s sort of cool having them fight over us, isn’t it?”

“I think it’s the room they are fighting over, but, yeah, it’s sort of fun.”

“Fine, I’ll flip you for it,” Maddox said.

“I call head,” Stryder said and Zoya couldn’t contain the blush that flooded her cheeks, knowing he’d purposely left the “s” off the end of the word. The memory of kneeling before the stern headmaster, performing her “proper penance” for being a naughty little school girl had her panties moistening and her praying that Stryder won the coin toss.

“Fuck!”

“I’d say I’m sorry, but I’d be lying,” Stryder said and then had come to the sink and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Let’s see, I’ve always wanted to play the part of Dudley Do Right.”

“Who’s he?” Zoya asked.

“A Royal Canadian Mountie who rescues the damsel in distress,” Stryder explained and then leaned closer. “She’s often tied to a railroad crossing and we do have that large wooden X just waiting for a beautiful damsel.”

Maddox growled and Adira said, “Now I know we are sisters because I’m suddenly very jealous and want to strangle you.” Then she laughed and said, “Go play. Maddox and I will finish the dishes.”

And play they did. That had been the night when she confessed that she wanted him to whip her again. The look of surprise in his eyes and the way she saw his cock jerk had her begging him until he agreed. It had been even more incredible than that first time, as after he’d released her from her cuffs, he’d carried her to the bed and licked and kissed along every wheal his strokes had raised on her flesh. She’d been sorry to discover his marks gone within two days but knew that one day soon, he’d paint them on the canvas of her shoulders, back and buttocks again. She could still hear the snaps of the whip…

“Zoya, honey, wake up.”

Opening her eyes, she realized the snapping she heard was that of Adira snapping her fingers next to her ear. She could feel her face heat with color, hoping the moans she’d remembered making that night hadn’t been audible now. Adira and Jennie stood before her, a cart full of overstuffed canvas bags.

“Well, you definitely look better. Your cheeks aren’t pale as a ghost’s anymore.”

“Oh, I feel much better.”

They walked to the truck, placing the bags in the back and once they climbed inside, Zoya said, “I’m so sorry I didn’t help with the shopping but I promise I’ll do the unloading.”

Once home, she discovered that Jennie had other ideas. The moment they’d carried all the bags into the kitchen, setting them on the table, Jennie picked one up and handed it to Adira. “I’m thinking nothing but positive thoughts. Go.” She turned to Zoya. “Go with her.”

Zoya was confused but followed Adira from the kitchen. “What’s going on?”

Adira took her hand and gave it a squeeze. “I’ll explain once we’re in your room.”

“My room?”

“Yes, it’s closest and I’m not sure when the guys are coming back. Unlike my door, yours has a lock.”

Once inside the bedroom, the door locked behind them, Adira pulled her into the bathroom and only then pulled a box from the bag. Seeing it, Zoya smiled. “You think you might be pregnant?”

“No, I’m pretty sure I am pregnant as I’ve missed my last two periods. This is just for confirmation and this,” she said, pulling a second box from the bag, “is for you.”

“For me?” Zoya said, “I don’t need… oh God, you think I’m pregnant?”

“You’re showing signs. You’ve been taking naps and the other day, I caught you crying over some Hallmark commercial. You haven’t had Stryder out for a run in… I can’t even remember the last time I heard him grumbling that he had to jog, even though he now loves it. And today? Cravings for meat that you haven’t had for months, licking every dribble of those sickening sweet sauces off your fingers… after swiping the insides of those little containers, and then tossing it all up again? You fell asleep on a bench in the middle of a Wal-Mart, for God’s sake. So…”

“I can’t be pregnant,” Zoya said, her heart hammering inside her chest. “I’m not married!”

Adira laughed. “Seriously?” Evidently she saw the look of shock on Zoya’s face because she put the boxes down on the counter and took her hands. “I’m sorry, I didn’t even think about that.”

“What am I going to do?”

“First, you’re going to take this test with me and we’ll go from there. No matter what, we are here for each other, all right?”

Zoya could only nod, too numb to speak. She barely heard Adira as she read through the directions before she peed on the pregnancy stick. Adira replaced the cap on her test and laid it on the counter. She slowly repeated the instructions, counting out the five seconds required, then took the test from Zoya, capped it as well and placed it beside her own.

“What now?” Zoya asked.

“Now we wait to see if one or two pink lines appear,” Adira said.

“Shouldn’t they be blue if it’s a boy?”

“According to the instructions, it doesn’t work that way but that would be really nice. Come on, we need to wait for a few minutes.” Adira took her hand again and led her from the bathroom to sit on the edge of the bed. “Honey, you don’t have to look so horrified. You love Stryder, don’t you?”

“Yes, with my whole heart, but that doesn’t mean he wants to be a father.”

“It doesn’t mean he doesn’t, either. I think you’re worrying about nothing. If anyone is going to wonder how this happened, it’s going to be Maddox. We use protection; condoms and I’m on the pill but sometimes the best laid plans go wrong.”

“God, I’m an idiot,” Zoya said. “I’m not on the pill and we’ve never used a condom.”

Adira just smiled and squeezed her hand. “Stryder isn’t a fool. If he hasn’t used protection, then something is pulling him to make a baby with the love of his life. Let’s go see if our men are going to be papas.”

“Are you all right?” Stryder asked after the evening meal.

Zoya looked up, seeing the concern on his face. “I’m just a little tired.”

“Too tired to play?”

His grin and the look in his eyes tugged at her soul. It was their night to use the playroom and she’d considered weaving some fantasy but couldn’t bring herself to do it.

“I’d rather take a walk, if that’s all right.”

“Sure, if that’s what you want.”

They walked past the garden, hand in hand, watching tiny bits of light flying in the leaves of the trees as fireflies began to blink, calling for their mates. When they reached the koi pond, he took her in his arms. “What’s wrong, babe?”

Zoya promptly burst into tears. Before she knew it, he was seated on the stone edge of the pond and she was cradled on his lap. “Shh, whatever it is, we’ll work it out,” he said against the top of her head.

“They were pink.”

“Pink? What was pink?”

Remembering how she and Adira had stood side by side, staring at the pregnancy tests, then at each other, then at the tests again, she said, “The lines. All four were bright pink… I had thought maybe they’d be blue but Adira said no so we don’t know if they are girls or boys…” When she felt his head lift from hers, felt him pull back, she shook her head, knowing she wasn’t explaining this right. “I’m pregnant.”

He took her face in his palms, his eyes soft, his voice husky. “I’m going to be a father?”

“Only… only if you want to be. I know you didn’t plan on this and I’m not going to make you—”

“Babe, do not make me spank my future wife and the mother of my child on the day she gave me an incredible gift.”

It took a moment for his words to register and another to be able to speak as his lips were fused to hers but when he released her, she said, “You… you said wife.”

“Damn straight I did. I’m not going to have my child grow up without knowing his, or her, father. I’m going to be there every step of the way, right beside their mother.” He grinned. “I know this is a little out of order, but…” He slid her off his lap, jumped from the wall and then went down on one knee.

“Zoya Morozova, will you make me the happiest man on earth by becoming my wife? Will you stand by me, love me, and share the joy of raising our child together? I love you more than I could have ever imagined. You are my heart, my soul… my world. Please say you’ll marry me.”

God, she loved this man. She loved his strength, his tenderness, his playfulness and his ability to be stern and yet never make her feel unwanted. But most of all, she loved the look in his eyes when she’d told him about the baby… their baby.

“Yes… yes!” she shouted, leaping into his arms. He stood and swung her in circles until her fears were gone as were her tears, replaced with laughter and hope.

Returning to the house, Zoya had barely stepped over the threshold before Adira gave a high-pitched squeal, which she immediately echoed as the two ran towards each other. The family watched as they joined hands and the two women danced about the room arm in arm, both chanting, “We’re gonna have a baby!”

Stryder laughed and said, “And you are all invited to the wedding!”

Maddox slapped Stryder on the back. “Congratulations. Man, who would have thought we’d both be papas at the same time? I’ve gotta say, this is gonna be one adventure I’m glad we’ll be experiencing together.”

Stryder laughed. “Congratulations to you, as well. I can’t even begin to imagine the trouble those two will get into for the next several months, but I couldn’t be happier.”

Anson slung his arms around his brothers’ shoulders. “Couldn’t happen to better men, congratulations to you both.”

“Thanks, Anson,” Maddox and Stryder chorused.

Drake waited until Adira and Zoya stopped spinning and then moved to slip an arm around the both of them. “I can’t tell you how thrilled I am and how blessed I feel because I’ve watched you make my sons incredibly happy. I love you both but I must warn you, I’m gonna spoil my grandchildren rotten.”

The women laughed, kissed his cheeks and watched as he drew Stryder into an embrace. Jennie stood with a peaceful look on her face and a smile as Zoya stepped into her arms. Jennie whispered, “I told you you were his world and now, with your child, you’ve only added to his universe.”

Happiness flooded through Zoya as she looked to see Stryder standing with his father, a man who had saved a little boy and taught him to become a man… a great man. And now, that man would pass along his love to yet another and she would cherish every moment. “Thank you, Jennie, I love all of you so very much.”

They did go to the playroom and Stryder made love to her gently until she giggled and told him that she was pretty sure that he could move just a little faster and thrust just a teensy bit harder. He’d grinned as he said, “Pregnancy does not give you the right to top from the bottom, babe.” She’d just smiled, wrapped her arms around his neck and her gorgeous legs around his waist and he was lost. After they’d exploded together, she’d fallen asleep only to wake when he shook her.

“It’s midnight. Time to call your parents. It’ll be 9:00 am in Russia.”

They’d made the call and she’d laughed and cried and her father, mother and grandmother had done the same. She’d been able to call several times since she’d come to the ranch and though she’d told him she’d never tell them all that had happened, she had wanted them to know that she was safe and happier than she’d ever been. They talked for an hour, Stryder able to follow most of the conversation but sure he missed some, as it was in Russian. Still, he accepted their congratulations on their upcoming nuptials and promised to love and protect their daughter for the rest of their lives. He’d been a bit surprised when she’d told them that she was expecting and yet proud that she didn’t see the need to hide the fact.

Not seeing the need to go back to her room, they were again in the dungeon, Zoya curled up beside him as he rubbed her flat stomach, imagining it growing.

“Are we still going to play when I’m as big as a whale?” she asked, her finger drawing little hearts on his chest.

He chuckled and bent to kiss the top of her head. “Babe, I don’t ever see the day when we won’t be playing.”

She giggled and lifted her head to kiss him properly. “You aren’t upset that my family won’t come to Texas for the wedding?”

“No, I understand. Your babushka isn’t well enough to travel,” he said and then smiled. “But that doesn’t mean that she shouldn’t see her favorite granddaughter. How about we honeymoon in Russia?”

“Really?” she said, sitting up, and he knew he’d made the right decision from the joy in her blue eyes.

“Really. And while we’re there, my gift to the family who were the first to love the woman I love will be a new phone system. Adira can not only speak with her grandfather, they can see each other, which I know makes a difference. Even thousands of miles apart, your family can watch you bloom and then share in the life of their grandchild.”

“That is an incredible gift, thank you, Stryder.”

“Nuh uh, my dear, in this room, you address me as Sir… or Master.”

Her smile lit her face and she changed positions, moving to lie across his lap. “Yes, Sir, and I’m ready for my spanking to remind me of the rules.” She turned her head to look up at him. “One of those sexy spankings if you please… Master.”

He most certainly did please.

Hours later, he slipped from the bed, drawing the covers up over her naked body, bending to kiss her cheek before he left the room. On his way back from the bathroom, a noise drew his attention to the operations center. From the clock on the wall, he saw that it was almost four in the morning.

“What’s going on?” he asked.

Anson turned from the monitor. “Nothing. I thought you were with your bride-to-be.”

“I was and I will be again, but I heard you. I know you are practically melded to these machines, but not at this time unless there is something going on, so spill it.”

Anson used his foot to push a rolling chair towards him and Stryder knew that something had happened. He took a seat, rolling back towards his brother and praying that whatever it was, it wasn’t horrid.

“I think I’ve found the opening to get to Natalia,” Anson said. “The scuttlebutt is that Montez’s health is failing. If it’s as bad as people are saying, he doesn’t have long to live. I need to get to her either before he dies or immediately afterwards. There will be a lot of fighting to take over his enterprise as he doesn’t have any living biological children. He lost his son in the last turf war. I won’t have Natalia part of any business deal or passed to some other asshole.”

Stryder nodded. “Then we need to get to Argentina. I’ll tell Zoya…”

“You won’t be going,” Anson said.

“I sure as hell will be! Not only do I speak Spanish, I grew up in Rosario.”

“You left over twenty years ago and I’ve been boning up on my Spanish. I’m heading this mission and Pops is my second. We’ve got others we can call upon if needed…”

Stryder stood, his chair rolling backwards as he leaned towards his brother. “I promised Zoya that I’d make sure Natalia got out, that she was safe—”

“And you’ll keep that promise but it will be at my hands,” Anson said, also rising to his feet. “I’m not only going to do this, I’m going to do it my way. Just like Maddox knew he had to save Adira, and you knew you had to get to Zoya, I’m telling you, I’ve got to get to Natalia.”

The two brothers stood eye to eye, a foot apart, and Stryder could see the absolute certainty in Anson’s eyes. He knew that Anson was just as able to run an operation as he and yet it was hard to back down.

Anson grinned and reached out to put his hand on Stryder’s shoulder. “Not to be a copycat, but consider this not only a wedding gift for you and Zoya, but a baby shower gift for both of the papas to be. Think of the money I’ll save.”

Stryder shook his head but reached out and pulled his brother into a hug. “Go get her, Anson. Go get your Natalia.”