36. Yuri

We made it to Viktor’s house in a flash, breaking every traffic law there was. I should have killed Viktor when I wanted to, months ago. Just the thought he could be hurting Katya … I can’t think about that.

When we arrive, Nikita stops us at the gate., “Is she okay Nik? Where’s Viktor? Why haven’t you answered any calls?”

“Katya is better than fine. Viktor is dead. I’m sorry Anton, and to you too, Yuri but I was told not to answer any calls, and I agreed with that,” he waived us in the gate. “Park anywhere and follow me.”

What the hell? None of that made any sense to me, nor to Anton who just drove forward in a daze until we reached the house. I ran inside, still confused but happy Katya was fine. And there she was, descending the stairs, looking good enough to eat.

“Katya,” I say, running up the stairs to meet her, “You’re not hurt?”

“I promised Viktor would never hurt me again, remember? I kept that promise. Can we talk in private?”

I nodded and follow her, hoping talk isn’t all we’re going to do in private. “What’s this about?” I ask as I close the door to the office.

“I killed the Don. This Bratva has my last name. The men are loyal to me. How about a deal?”

“A deal?”

“You rule by my side. Be the public face but do nothing without talking to me in private. That’s the deal. No need to touch the tree out back. Besides I’m pregnant and probably shouldn’t run? I don’t know. That’s the second part of our deal. I call the shots for this child. He chooses the life he wants. Not you, not me, him. Deal?”

“Pregnant with my child? For how long?” Long enough that she knew when I made her bait for Petya, that’s for sure. “Why not tell me, you have to know I would have never …”

“I don’t care about the past. Now, from this moment when you accept my terms you won’t be able to do something like that without talking to me first. That’s what matters,” she says.

Clearly, she thought about this, rehearsed every word I’d bet.

She was good.

Exactly what I’d have done.

“I might make you suffer later, in private, but now you just have to agree to my terms.”

“Okay, I agree,” I tell her.

She’s magnificent.

“Now, tell me more about making me suffer in private.”