31. Chapter 31

Chapter 31

Aleksandr

The morning light danced across the kitchen counter as the rich scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the air. I stood at the stove, flipping pancakes with one hand while stirring a pot of scrambled eggs with the other. The rhythmic clinking of utensils and the gentle hiss of the stovetop were a soothing backdrop to the laughter of Sasha and Maxim, who sat at the island counter, eagerly awaiting their gourmet breakfast.

"Uncle, may I have extra strawberries on my pancakes?" Sasha asked, her green eyes sparkling with excitement. Her long blonde hair framed her cherubic face, and she bounced in her seat, unable to contain her enthusiasm.

"Of course, printsessa ," I replied, ruffling her hair gently. Her smile widened, and I felt a familiar warmth in my chest. Maxim, her older brother, watched with an expectant look.

"And don't forget the whipped cream for me!" he added, his voice brimming with anticipation. His dark hair and serious expression mirrored my own, a constant reminder of the legacy of the Avilov family.

I laughed, feeling a rare sense of peace and contentment. These moments, cooking breakfast for the kids, were the few times I felt normal, far removed from the darker parts of my life. I carefully arranged the pancakes on plates, adding generous helpings of strawberries and whipped cream, ensuring every detail was perfect.

As I placed the plates in front of Sasha and Maxim, Talia wandered into the kitchen, her hair tousled from sleep. She wore pink pajamas and fluffy pink slippers. Her presence immediately brightened the room. My heart tightened in my chest as I watched her sit at the table, her beauty understated yet captivating.

"Good morning," she said, her voice soft and warm. "That smells amazing."

I walked over with a plate of food and set it in front of her. "Sit and enjoy. You need to eat, doctor's orders," I said, placing my hand on her small but noticeable baby bump. Her eyes met mine, and a tender smile spread across her face, an unspoken bond between us solidifying in that moment.

We all ate together, the room filled with clinking forks and cheerful chatter. Sasha and Maxim regaled us with tales of their latest adventures, their faces animated with youthful exuberance. Talia and I exchanged amused glances over their heads, our connection deepening with every shared look and quiet laugh. It was a perfect morning, one I wished could last forever.

Eventually, Olga came in to usher the children off to their studies. They groaned in protest but obediently followed her out of the kitchen, their footsteps fading down the hallway. I turned to Talia, brushing a strand of hair away from her face, my touch lingering.

"I have to go out for the day," I said, my voice tinged with reluctance. "I want you to take it easy and relax. If you need anything, let Abram know."

She nodded, chewing on her lower lip. "Be careful, Aleksandr."

I took one last look at her before I grabbed my coat and left the house with Anton. The drive to the art gallery was short, but my mind was already shifting gears, preparing for the business ahead. The cityscape blurred past the passenger window, a mix of old-world architecture and modern high-rises, a testament to the duality of my life.

When we arrived at the gallery, Dimitri was waiting. The tension was palpable, and I could tell he was on edge. The air was thick with the scent of paint and varnish, mingling with the underlying unease that came with our line of work. Haruto Adachi was due to arrive any minute, and the stakes were high.

We didn't have to wait long. Adachi arrived, flanked by his men, carrying the paintings and the drugs he had stolen from me. His expression was inscrutable, a mask of calm that betrayed nothing. Still, his eyes showed a glint of respect as he handed over the goods.

"I believe these belong to you," Adachi said, his tone even, each word meticulously measured.

I nodded, taking the paintings, their weight a tangible reminder of our fragile alliance. "Now, let's discuss our arrangement."

Anton led Adachi and his men to a private room in the gallery. They sat at the table across from us, scrutinizing our every move. Dimitri poured whiskey into the crystal glasses before each man, then sat in the seat to my right. His fingers danced across the butt of the gun tucked into the waist of his pants. His face was emotionless, but his eyes were focused, ready for anything.

I cleared my throat, folding my hands on the table before me. "I agree to have you handle distribution from New York to San Francisco."

Adachi grinned widely. "I knew you would come to your senses. Having the Yakuza on your side is a smart move." He visibly relaxed, holding up his glass. "To our new arrangement," he said, sipping whiskey. The rest of us followed, sipping our drinks.

Adachi and the Yakuza would handle the distribution of our drugs, hidden within the artwork, from New York to San Francisco. It was a lucrative arrangement, promising significant expansion and profits, but I couldn't shake the feeling that Adachi had his own agenda, shadows lurking behind his composed exterior.

After he left, I turned to Dimitri and Anton, the gravity of the situation settling in. "Keep a close eye on Adachi. I don't trust him."

Dimitri nodded, his expression serious. "What about Angelo Carvallo? Are we keeping him on for the New York area?"

" Da ," I replied, my tone firm. "But only for New York. We must have a backup in case things go badly with Adachi."

After leaving Dimitri and Anton in the gallery, I settled into my office and worked for the remainder of the day.

Satisfied that the day's business was concluded, I returned to the mansion. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the grounds.

As I walked through the mansion, I found Talia lounging by the pool, a soft blanket draped over her shoulders. My eyes were drawn to her tiny baby bump, and a possessive feeling surged. She was mine, and so was our baby.

I walked over and sat beside her, resisting the urge to rest my hand on her belly. The autumn air was cool as the sun slinked past the horizon. "How are you feeling?" I asked, my voice husky with emotion. The vulnerability of the moment was uncharacteristic but unavoidable.

She smiled, placing her hand on her belly. "I'm feeling good. The baby is behaving today. I haven't had any morning sickness."

"Good," I said. She was so beautiful. A fire ignited in my core, my need for her palpable. I wanted to show her off as much as I wanted to bury my cock deep inside her. "I'm taking you out for dinner tonight."

Her eyes sparkled with excitement. "I'd love that."

"Go get ready," I instructed.

A little while later, Talia came down the stairs wearing a stunning red dress and heels. She looked breathtaking, and I felt a surge of desire as I took her in. Her dress clung to her curves in all the right places, the deep red complimenting her golden skin. She moved with a grace that took my breath away, each step a testament to her strength and elegance.

"You look beautiful," I said, holding out her coat. She slipped it on and then took my hand. I led her to the car, opening the passenger door. "Are we going alone?" she asked curiously.

"Anton and Ivan will be following in a car behind us."

"Where is Dimitri tonight?" she asked, sliding into the passenger seat.

"Dimitri is guarding Sandy." I noticed her smiling as I got into the driver's seat. "Something I should know?" I questioned, a smile playing on my lips.

"No, nothing," she lied, biting her lower lip to keep from giving away her secret. My eyes were drawn to her mouth, wanting to bite and suck on her plump lips.

The evening air was cool, a gentle breeze whispering through the trees as we drove towards the city.

Placing her hand on mine, she leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. "Thank you for taking me out. I needed this." She sat back in her seat, but her gaze bore into me.

Slowly pulling the SUV to the side of the road, I signaled for Anton to stop his car behind me. Pulling out my cell phone, I sent him a message. Then I unbuckled my seatbelt, and unbuckled Talia's.

"What are you doing?" she asked, confused.

I brought my lips down on hers, kissing her roughly. "I'm going to fuck you now," I breathed against her plump lips. "Your pussy belongs to me."