30. Chapter 30

Chapter 30

Talia

That evening, after a long day of trying to keep my thoughts and emotions at bay, I decided to call Sandy. The familiar routine of our conversations had always been a source of comfort, an anchor in the chaotic sea that my life had become. I needed her steadying presence now more than ever, especially after everything that had happened.

I picked up my phone and dialed her number. The line rang a few times before she answered, her voice comforting as always. "Sis, how is everything? Are you okay?"

"Yes, but…" I began, hesitating for a moment before letting the words spill out in a rush. "Aleksandr took me to breakfast at a nearby café, and this guy Tommy showed up."

There was a brief pause on the other end, and then Sandy's concern came through loud and clear. "Tommy? Who is he, and why was he there?" she demanded.

"Tommy is in the Italian mafia. The same family that Vic is associated with." I paused, sucking in a deep breath.

"What?!" Sandy screamed. "Why the hell was he there? And where was Aleksandr?"

"It's okay, sis," I assured her. "Please, calm down."

Sandy took a few deep breaths. "Fine," she hissed through her teeth. "I'm calm. Tell me what happened."

"Tommy is Vic's superior. I told him what I saw and heard the night Vic killed Mikhail. Tommy gave Aleksandr his blessing to deal with Vic any way he sees fit."

"Does that mean what it sounds like?"

"Yes, exactly what it sounds like. Aleksandr swore he'd take care of Vic, and then we'll be safe, sis. We won't have to go to San Francisco." I smiled softly at the thought of being able to see Sandy again. I desperately needed one of her sisterly hugs.

"Let's hope he gets to Vic sooner than later. I'm ready for us to go back home and get back to our lives." Sandy released a slow breath. "I've been keeping my eyes open at the club, but there hasn't been any sign of him so far."

"Who is guarding you now?" I asked out of sheer curiosity.

"Ivan was with me earlier, then Boris, and now Dimitri."

If I wasn't mistaken, I could hear Sandy smile when she said Dimitri's name. "Dimitri, huh? Why does it sound like you're smiling?"

"What…um…I'm not, cut it out!" Sandy giggled. "He's nice, that's all."

"Mmhmm. Nice and attractive," I teased.

"He's a very good-looking man," Sandy admitted. "I like talking to him when he guards me."

"Well, maybe when this is all over, you can go on a date," I suggested.

"I don't know, sis. I don't see him being in my life when this is all over." Sandy sighed quietly.

"You never know where it can lead. For example, Aleksandr knows he's the baby's father." My heart skipped a beat, and I held my breath, waiting for her response.

There was a pause on the other end of the line, the silence heavy with anticipation. The reality of those words still felt surreal, like I was living in some kind of dream.

"Whoa," Sandy exhaled, the surprise evident in her voice. "How did that come out?"

"It was inevitable," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "Dr. Daria found out when she examined me after I was shot. She told Aleksandr, and he insisted on a paternity test. The results were positive; he's definitely the father."

Sandy was silent for a moment, processing this new information. "And how's he taking it?"

I hesitated, trying to put my chaotic thoughts into words. "Surprisingly well. He's been… supportive. Caring, even. It's confusing."

"Confusing how?" Sandy's tone was gentle yet probing, encouraging me to open up.

"I don't know," I admitted, gripping my hair in frustration. "He's this powerful, intimidating man, head of a Russian mafia family, and yet… he cares for the children and looks out for me. Family is everything to him. He's insisting I stay here and raise the baby here with him."

Sandy's voice took on a knowing lilt. "Sounds like someone's falling for the big bad mafia boss."

I rolled my eyes, even though she couldn't see it. "It's not like that, Sandy. I just think it might not be a bad idea to have the baby's father around."

"Sure, Talia. Keep telling yourself that." She laughed softly, but I could hear the concern in her voice. "Just be careful, okay? Mafia life isn't easy or safe, as you already found out."

"That's true," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "But, I'm safe here. Sis, thanks for always being there for me and understanding."

"Always," Sandy promised, her voice filled with warmth. "Take care of yourself and that baby. We'll sort everything out once you're out of mortal danger."

"I love you, sis. Be safe."

We ended the call, but her words lingered in my mind, stirring up a tempest of emotions. Was I falling for Aleksandr? It seemed ridiculous, yet the thought wouldn't leave me. I knew the darkness that surrounded him, the danger that came with his world. And yet, the way he cared for those close to him, the way he was with the children, tugged at something deep within me.

Unable to quiet my restless thoughts, I wandered down to the kitchen, hoping a snack might distract me. The mansion was eerily quiet at this hour; the only sounds were the distant hum of the refrigerator. The grandeur of the place still took my breath away, the luxurious furnishings, the intricate details in the woodwork, the opulence that seemed to ooze from every corner.

On the way back to my room, I passed by Aleksandr's office and noticed the door was slightly ajar, the light spilling out into the dark hallway. I paused, drawn by the low murmur of his voice from within.

"Vic wasn't at the warehouse near the docks," Aleksandr was saying, his tone clipped and hard. "And he hasn't been there all day or night."

I pressed closer, my heart pounding in my chest. The hallway seemed to grow colder, the shadows darker, as I strained to hear more.

"I don't care what it takes," he continued, his voice seething with anger. "Speak with Tommy again. Turn the city inside out. Anton, do whatever you have to do to find him."

The call ended, and I stood there, frozen. A shiver shot down my spine. It was clear that Aleksandr wouldn't stop until he got his revenge.

Gathering my courage, I knocked lightly on the door, and after a moment, he called, "Come in."

I pushed the door open and stepped inside. Aleksandr was pouring himself a glass of vodka. He glanced up, his eyes softening when he saw me. "Can't sleep?"

"No," I admitted, feeling a bit foolish. "Just needed a snack. I am eating for two," I chuckled.

He gestured towards the chair across from him. "Join me?"

I nodded, sitting down as he poured me a glass of club soda. The office, filled with dark wood and heavy leather furniture, was a stark contrast to the rest of the mansion. It commanded respect, a reflection of the man who occupied it.

We sat in silence for a moment, the weight of unspoken words hanging between us. I could feel the intensity of his gaze, the way his eyes seemed to pierce through my defenses, uncovering truths I wasn't ready to face.

"Tell me about your family," he said suddenly, his voice gentle yet commanding. "You told me both your parents died. How did that happen?"

I took a shaky breath, feeling the old wounds ache as I began to speak. "My father went to jail when I was three years old. He killed our next-door neighbor, who was having an affair with my mother. I guess he couldn't handle the betrayal." Taking a sip of the club soda, I paused, reflecting on my memories. "I don't remember much about him, but I have a photo of him and my mother. I have his eyes."

"How did he get killed?" Aleksandr inquired.

"I read in a newspaper article that he got killed in jail in a fight with another inmate. I collected newspaper articles about him when I got older. That's the only reason I know anything about what happened."

Aleksandr's expression was unreadable, but I could see the intensity in his eyes, a flicker of something that looked almost like empathy. "And your mother?"

"She overdosed on drugs two years after my father was arrested," I said, my voice breaking slightly. The memories were like shards of glass, cutting deep with every word. "It was just too much for her to handle. The neighbor's wife accused my mother of being the reason that she lost her husband, and her son lost his father. She was able to turn most of the people in town against my mother, which caused my mother to become an addict."

"I'm sorry," he said softly, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes. "How did you manage after that?"

"I went into foster care," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. The foster system had been a nightmare, a series of homes that felt more like prisons than sanctuaries. "Then I met Sandy in the last home I was placed in. She became my best friend and my family. We lived together in an apartment before she moved to New York."

"And your past relationships?" His question was gentle, yet I could feel the weight behind it, the need to understand.

"I didn't date much," I admitted. "Not until I met Danny."

Aleksandr's eyes darkened slightly at the mention of Danny. "Why did you run away from him?"

I clammed up, the memories too raw to revisit. "He wasn't a good guy," I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper.

He didn't press for more information, sensing my reluctance. Instead, he just nodded. "You're safe here," he said softly. "No one will hurt you."

I looked at him, seeing the promise in his eyes. For a moment, I allowed myself to be sucked into the fantasy of being in a relationship with Aleksandr and living here with him and our baby as a family instead of having an obligation to be his heir's mother. "Thank you," I said, my voice filled with fleeting hope.

He nodded, taking a sip of his whiskey. "Get some rest," he said. "You and the baby need it."

I stood up, feeling a strange mix of emotions swirling inside me. There was so much about Aleksandr that I didn't understand, so many layers to the man who was now such a significant part of my life. As I returned to my room, the mansion's grandeur seemed to close in on me, the walls heavy with secrets.

In my room, I lay down on the bed, my mind racing. There was so much to process, so many conflicting emotions. Could we really have a life together with our baby? Could there be a future for us?

I closed my eyes, trying to silence the doubts and fears. But even as sleep claimed me, Aleksandr's image lingered in my mind, his eyes haunting me, his presence a constant, inescapable reality. I couldn't shake the feeling that my life was about to change in ways I couldn't yet comprehend, and I wasn't sure if I was ready for it.