20. Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Aleksandr

Talia's apartment felt like a fragile refuge amid the sprawling chaos of the city. Its walls seemed to pulse with tension, shadows dancing across the dimly lit rooms. My men stationed discreetly outside kept watch, their presence a muted reassurance amid the uncertainty that engulfed us. Inside, Talia moved about, gathering her belongings with quiet determination.

I watched her from the doorway of her bedroom, leaning against the frame with my arms crossed over my chest. She moved gracefully, her chocolate brown hair cascading over her shoulders as she packed. But then her steps faltered, her complexion paled, and I sensed something was wrong.

"Are you alright?" I asked, pushing off the doorframe and stepping closer.

Her response was a weak smile, a hand pressed to her stomach. "Just a bit queasy," she replied, her voice strained.

"Maybe you should sit down," I suggested, my eyes narrowing with worry.

"I'm fine, really," she insisted, though I sensed her discomfort.

Before I could press further, she excused herself, disappearing into the bathroom. The sound of retching echoed faintly through the apartment. I hesitated, then approached the closed bathroom door. "Talia?" I called out, my tone softening.

She emerged moments later, a faint flush on her cheeks. "I'm okay," she said, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. "Must've been something I ate."

"Come, sit down," I instructed, leading her to the sofa in the living room. "I'll get you a glass of water."

She sat on the sofa, pulling her legs underneath herself. "It's amazing how quickly your crew cleaned the apartment," she noted.

I glanced around, impressed at how neat the apartment looked. In a matter of hours, my cleaning crew had turned the ransacked apartment back into a livable space.

"I appreciate what you've done for me and Sandy," she says, peeking at me from underneath her long lashes. "And I appreciate that you agreed to take me to see her."

I nodded, sitting across from her on the sofa.

"You're not how I expected you'd be when you told me you're the pakhan of a Russian mafia family." She slowly sips the water, waiting for my reaction.

"Oh? And what did you expect?" I ask casually.

"I don't know," she chuckles. "I expected you to be more like the mobster guys in the movies, not an uncle of two awesome little kids and a nice guy that helps clean up ransacked apartments."

"I'm not that nice," I reply nonchalantly.

"You're nice to me," she breathed quietly. Her mouth opened and closed as if she were going to say something else, but then she simply smiled.

"Let's finish here," I suggest, shifting the subject. She finished drinking the glass of water, and we gathered the last of her things. Taking one last look around the small apartment, she closed and locked the door behind us.

As we made our way downstairs, unease settled in my gut. Dimitri opened the SUV trunk in anticipation of loading up Talia's belongings. I glanced around the street as the air outside crackled with a forewarning of the violence to come. When we stepped onto the sidewalk, a black sedan raced down the street, screeching to a stop next to the SUV. The dark-tinted windows of the sedan rolled down, and two guns were pointed directly at us.

"Gun!" Dimitri screamed, diving in front of me, acting as a human shield. I heard the crack of the gun and instinctively pulled Talia into my side, covering her with my body. Bullets whizzed past us as I pulled her behind the SUV.

Dimitri squatted down next to us, exchanging fire with the sedan's assailants. My men sprang into action, pulling out their guns and rapidly firing at the sedan. Another round of bullets sprayed past us, some bouncing off the bulletproof exterior of the SUV.

My heart thumped loudly as I reached for my gun, returning fire. The sedan's assailants were relentless, firing more bullets. Talia's eyes widened with fear, her hand gripping my arm tightly. I cursed under my breath, my mind racing with calculations and strategies to survive this ambush.

The assailants retreated as abruptly as they had attacked, leaving us breathless and shaken amidst the chaos on the street. Sirens blared in the distance as onlookers spoke rapidly into their phones, relaying information to the police. I glanced over at Talia, her face pale, eyes wide with shock.

"Are you hurt?" I asked urgently, scanning her for injuries.

She shook her head, but her gaze faltered. "I'm fine," she replied, her voice trembling.

Then I saw it—the dark stain spreading across her shoulder, blood seeping through her clothing. Dread washed over me, icy and paralyzing.

"Talia," I whispered, my hands trembling as I helped her to her feet. "Get her in the car…now!" I boomed.

Dimitri jumped into action, helping Talia get into the backseat of the SUV. I slid into the seat next to her, keeping her cradled against my chest. Holding a rag against the shoulder wound, I hoped to slow down the bleeding. Her eyes were glassy and unfocused as Dimitri drove us to the mansion, unconcerned with traffic lights or the posted speed limit.

"Talia," I whispered against her silky hair. "Stay with me, baby. You're going to be okay."

Her skin was cold, and her eyelids fluttered closed. I shook her gently, and her eyes opened again. She was looking at me but not focusing. "Aleksandr…" she whispered, struggling to keep her eyes open. "I…I have…have to…tell you…s-something." Her body went limp in my arms. Bile rose in my throat as I tried to wake her up.

"Baby…please wake up." I held her closer, willing my body heat to warm her up. "Talia?"

Her breathing was shallow, but she was breathing. "Hurry, brat ." My voice was laced with urgency as Dimitri's eyes met mine through the rearview mirror. I can't lose her. He understood without having to hear the words and stepped on the gas pedal, propelling the SUV forward even faster.

The drive seemed to last for hours, although, in reality, it was less than thirty minutes. My trusted and personal physician, Dr. Daria Algorin, is on call twenty-four hours a day. She's also an attending physician at the local hospital, which works out great since she can handle medical emergencies from the makeshift hospital room in the mansion or the local hospital. Having a personal Bratva doctor on call helps to keep the police at bay and questions about our illegal activities to a minimum.

As we burst through the doors, Dr. Daria was already waiting. She took charge immediately, ushering Talia into the nearby examination room. Holding out her hand, she stopped me in the doorway.

"Stay out here," she ordered, not giving a shit that I'm the pakhan . Her lips were pulled into a thin line, and her hands were placed firmly on her hips. She stood no taller than five feet four inches, but her presence was formidable at this moment. "Dimitri, keep him out of this room. I don't need any distractions."

Dimitri nodded, then stood guard next to the door, crossing his arms over his muscular chest. "The doctor will help Talia, brat . Just give her time."

I paced outside the room, my nerves taut with anticipation. When Dr. Daria finally emerged, her expression was contemplative. "Thankfully the bullet missed any major arteries. I was able to stop the bleeding and remove the bullet, but she's going to need a lot of rest."

Relief flooded through me, but it was short-lived. Dr. Daria hesitated, then met my gaze squarely. "There's something else," she said, her tone measured. "It's a sensitive issue, and I think we should speak privately."

"Dimitri, stay here and watch over Talia," I ordered. "Doctor, we can speak in my office." Guiding her to my office, I closed the door behind us. "What is it?" I asked impatiently.

"Talia is pregnant."

The world seemed to tilt on its axis. Pregnant. The word echoed in my mind, leaving me stunned and disoriented. "Pregnant?" I repeated my voice barely a whisper.

Dr. Daria nodded solemnly. "Yes. My educated guess is she is about two months along, but an ultrasound will be more precise.

"Did she know?" A steamy image of Talia's naked body flashes in my mind. Fire burns in my eyes as I fantasize about gutting the bastard that got her pregnant. I wonder if it's the asshole ex-boyfriend from San Franciso.

"I don't know," Dr. Daria replies. "She's still unconscious."

"I need to see her," I hissed.

Dr. Daria nodded, leading me to where Talia lay, pale and fragile, on the examination table. I felt an overwhelming need to protect her and her baby. Shaking it off, I turned to leave. "Move her to my bedroom to rest." Dr. Daria's eyebrow lifted in surprise, but she didn't utter a word. "Dimitri will help you."

I left them to take care of Talia while I retreated to my office. I was determined to find out who ordered the ambush. My gut says it was Gio Lupani, but I must find out for sure. I made a few phone calls and announced that whoever brought me the information I needed would be paid handsomely.

Dimitri knocked lightly on the doorframe. " Brat , Talia is resting in your bedroom. Olga is with her. Dr. Daria will be back to examine her again tomorrow." He sits in the chair opposite me, running his fingers through his blonde hair and tugging at the ends. "Do you think it was Lupani who ordered a hit on Talia? Or possibly Adachi trying to take you out?"

"I think it was Lupani," I respond, tapping my fingertips on the mahogany desk. "I made a few calls to our associates. Anyone that brings us information will be paid." Crossing the room, I take a vodka bottle and two glasses from the bar. Setting them on the desk, I pour two drinks and hand one to Dimitri. "Call Boris. Ask him to pull the video from any street cameras near Sandy's apartment. We might be able to identify the assailants as part of Lupani's crew."

"Got it. I'll call him now." Dimitri pulls out his cell phone but pauses before dialing.

"You might want to change your clothes. Walking around the mansion with Talia's blood all over you will certainly frighten the children."

I nod, leaving Dimitri alone in the office.