Chapter 8

Roman

The house feels like a pressure cooker, tension thick enough to slice through. Lana”s pacing, something I haven”t seen her do in ages. She”s nervous, more so than I”ve seen in a long time. It”s not just the absence of a cigarette between her fingers or the lack of a drink in her hand, though that”s weird enough. Lana, who swore she”d quit smoking the day she died, suddenly turning a new leaf without so much as a by-your-leave. It”s unsettling, watching her unravel without her usual vices to lean on.

”You have to look into Bella, I”m telling you! I need to know all about her.”

Her voice, usually so controlled, so commanding, breaks across the room like a whip. She”s slamming her hand down on the table, papers fluttering in the aftermath of her outburst.

Grigori”s giving her that steady look of his, the one that says he”s taking it all in, preparing to do just that. He”s out of the loop on this one, hasn”t seen Lana this wound up in a long while, and neither have I.

I”m leaning against the wall, arms folded, watching the scene unfold. Lana”s got this energy about her now, like a live wire. It”s not just Bella getting under her skin; it”s something deeper. The party might have been a facade of normalcy, but underneath, the currents were shifting. Lana, caught in the tide, is struggling to keep her head above water.

Once the heavy air of the meeting dissipates with Luca and Grigori”s departure, I find myself dragging my feet. The door closes with a soft click behind them, sealing us in the quiet aftermath. Julia”s long since retired, leaving just Lana and me in the room.

Lana looks at me, confusion etching her features. ”What is it?”

I don”t beat around the bush. ”What did Bella do that”s got you so worked up?” My voice is more forceful than I intend.

She hesitates, a pause so unlike her usual directness that it sends a spike of worry straight through me. Then, with a steadiness that belies the bombshell she”s about to drop, she just says it. ”I”m pregnant.”

”Y-you”re pregnant?!” The repetition is stupid, but I”m grappling for something to hold onto, a lifeline in the sudden storm. ”Why didn”t you tell me this before?”

”I just found out about it,” she admits, her voice a mix of defiance and vulnerability. ”And I couldn”t tell you just yet.”

Lana is pregnant.

”How far along are you?”

”A couple weeks I believe.”

”Are you going to keep it?”

Lana meets my gaze, her resolve as clear as day. ”Yes, I”m keeping it.”

That settles it then. Her decision, firm and unwavering, commands respect. ”Is that why you didn”t drink at the party last night?”

”Yes...” she admits, and there”s a weight to that single word, a depth of concern that goes beyond just her personal health.

”And why... are you worried about Bella?” I press on, trying to understand the full scope of the situation. If there”s a threat to Lana, it”s a threat to all of us.

Lana”s expression darkens, a shadow passing over her face. ”I know Bella more than she realizes. She”s observant... She pointed out me not drinking last night and my sudden change of clothes... I think she knows.”

Fuck. That”s the last thing we need. Bella, with her newfound leverage, could turn this situation into a nightmare if she chooses to play her cards right.

I lean in, my protective instincts flaring. ”We”ll deal with Bella. She won”t be a problem.” The assurance in my voice is as much for Lana as it is a promise to myself. No one threatens our family, no one uses what they know against us. Not without facing consequences.

Lana nods, a silent acknowledgment of the plan. ”I think Perez’s mistress sees that as a weakness.”

I wave off her concern with a dismissive hand. ”Bella? She”s small fry. As long as you”ve got me, Luca, and Grigori, nothing”s gonna touch you or the baby. You know that.” My voice is firm, brooking no argument. Protection isn”t just what we do; it”s who we are. Lana, with all her fire and ice, is under our watch. Always has been, always will be.

I can”t help the grin that breaks across my face, thinking about it — a kid. A freaking kid that”s half me, half her. Our kid. The thought sends a thrill through me, a mix of fear and something like... excitement.

Lana catches the smile, her brow furrowing in confusion. ”Why are you looking so pleased about this?” She”s eyeing me like I”ve lost my mind.

I lean back, the truth spilling from me with uncharacteristic openness. ”Because, despite the madness of it all, I love the thought of being a Dad.”

She looks like she”s about to say more, her lips parting, a hesitance there I”ve rarely seen. But then, the moment”s gone, swallowed up by the weight of our situation.

I”m aware, painfully so, of the delicate balance between us four. My happiness at the thought of fatherhood doesn”t change the precarious nature of our relationships. But this baby, it”s a game-changer, a shake-up in our dynamics that none of us can ignore.

I”ll be the father of this kid and this puts me in a new light, not just in Lana”s eyes, but in the eyes of our entire operation. It”s a thought that”s both daunting and, if I”m honest, a bit exhilarating. It”s not about winning or losing; it”s about something more, something deeper.

”Look, Lana,” I say, my voice softening. ”Whatever comes next, we”ll handle it. Like we always do. Together.” I mean every word.

And as for Bella”s suspicions, her pointed observations at the party? Let her speculate. Let them all wonder. As long as Lana”s safe, as long as she”s supported, nothing else matters. Not really.

Catching Lana”s eye, I lean in, my voice dropping to that low, suggestive tone I know gets her attention. ”How about we celebrate? You know, a little congratulatory sex?”

To my delight, Lana laughs, a genuine, heartfelt sound that cuts through the tension and wariness that”s been shadowing her since she dropped the bombshell. It”s the first time I”ve seen her truly light up tonight, and it sends a surge of warmth through me.

”You”re impossible.” she says, shaking her head, but there”s a sparkle in her eyes that wasn”t there before. ”But... I suppose there are worse ways to celebrate.”

I immediately notice her blush, as she tries to hide a smile. It”s a sight that could make angels sin and demons pray. Fucking hell, Lana... I want to devour her right here, right now.

”Better brace yourself then,” I growl, my voice dripping with dark intent, ”because it”s going to be a hell of a night.” My eyes rake over her body, lingering on the swell of her belly — our kid growing there. It”s possessive and primal and so goddamn sexy.

Lana swallows hard, her face flushing a deep crimson. She knows what”s coming. The anticipation is as intoxicating as the finest Russian vodka.

I begin to remove my shirt, but surprisingly she speaks up, “Here? In the meeting room?”

”Why not?” I challenge, my gaze raking over her figure with open appreciation. My shirt is halfway off, and I pause for effect, letting my muscles ripple in the dim light of the meeting room. Lana’s eyes wander, tracing the path of my tattoos before darting back to meet my own.

“Fuck it.” She lets out a deep sigh before closing the space between us and pressing her lips against mine.

My hands roam over her curves, desire restraining any iota of gentleness. There”s a harshness to our kisses, an urgency that matches the thunderous beat of my heart.

I press her to the solid oak table behind us, knocking off a few irrelevant papers in the process. The subtle clink of them scattering on the marble floor barely reaches my ears. All I care for is the woman in front of me - Lana.

She fits against me like a key in a lock, her softness molding into my hardened contours.

Her fingers dig into my back as I pin her between myself and the hard surface.

My hand glides down to the hem of her dress, teasing the soft skin underneath. The hitched breath she lets out serves as an approval for more.

“We need to be quick. Someone can walk in any second.” She breathes.

I smirk, my eyes never leaving hers. ”And then what?”

”Well, you know, we would... we would have to... explain,” Lana”s voice trails off, her cheeks flushing an even brighter shade of red.

”I”m pretty sure we can explain anything,” I say, the confidence in my voice leaving no room for doubt. ”But for now, let”s just enjoy the moment.”

Her eyes narrow, and her lips curl into a seductive smile. ”Always the optimist, huh?”

”Always,” I say, my mouth just a breath away from her ear. ”So, are you going to let me enjoy this moment, or do I have to take matters into my own hands?”

Lana gasps, her eyes wide in both shock and desire. ”You wouldn”t,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper.

”Try me,” I say, my hand slipping under her dress, teasing her in a way that leaves no doubt in her mind about my intentions.

My fingers trace a path up her thigh, the softness of her skin amplifying my desire. Every move she makes sends a surge of need through me – a hunger that only she can satisfy.

The burning sensation in my chest increases as I pull her closer, our bodies barely a breath apart.

”Someone might see us,” Lana whispers again, but there”s no fear in her voice - only anticipation.

I shrug nonchalantly. We”ve done riskier things before. This is just another thrilling chapter in our adrenaline-fueled book.

”Let them watch how good I’ll fuck you,” I say and claim her mouth once more.

”Tell me what you want,” I whisper against her lips, teasing her with every word. She moans softly, her eyes fluttering closed as she throws her head back in surrender.

”You know what I want,” she breathes out, her voice low and seductive. ”I want you inside me,” she whispers, her hand finding its way between us and stroking my already hard cock through my pants.

I groan loudly at her touch, unable to control myself. ”You”re so fucking wet,” I murmur against her neck as I nibble on her earlobe. ”I”m going to take you right here, right now.”

Without further warning, I pick her up bridal style and carry her over to the couch in the corner of the room. She gasps in surprise but doesn”t resist as I lay her down on the soft leather cushions.

”Look at you,” I say, admiring the way her body looks sprawled out in front of me. ”You”re so beautiful.”

She blushes at my words, her cheeks reddening. ”You... you say that every time,” she stammers, her voice barely above a whisper.

I chuckle softly, kissing her lightly on the lips once more. ”And every time will be just as true,” I promise her.

I smile wolfishly and climb onto the couch beside her, positioning myself between her legs. My cock throbs against her stomach, aching to be inside of her. With one swift move, I part her legs and press the head of my cock against her wet, swollen pussy lips. She gasps as I slowly push inside of her, inching farther until we”re fully connected.

”Fuck,” I groan, my hips thrusting forward instinctively. ”You”re so goddamn tight.”

As soon as I”m inside her, I give a powerful thrust that rocks my hips against hers, claiming her as my own. She cries out, her nails digging into my skin as she arches her back and welcomes me deeper. I can feel the heat of her body, the wetness of her pussy as it grips me tightly, and the soft moans that escape her lips with each thrust.

Her breath comes ragged as she gasps, her pussy clenching around me in perfect rhythm with my hips. My cock throbs inside her, begging for release as I lose myself in the feeling of being inside her. ”Oh god, don”t stop,” she whispers.

I don”t. I lean forward, my body pressing against hers as I thrust harder, faster. Her moans become louder, more urgent, and I know she”s close.

I hear the faint murmur of passersby outside. It’s Grigori. I clamp my hand over her mouth, muffling her moans as I continue to thrust into her eagerly.

Grigori”s footsteps echo in the hallway, growing closer with every passing second. Lana”s eyes widen in fear, but I tighten my grip on her and thrust harder, my animalistic instincts taking over.

”Shh,” I whisper into her ear, my voice low and husky. ”Let”s give him a show.”

The thrill of our dangerous expose mingles with the raw, primal pleasure pulsing through me, spurring me on to fuck her harder, deeper. I want Grigori to know exactly what we”re doing behind this closed door; I want him to know who she belongs to.

”Fuck,” I swear loudly, my words lost in the sounds of muffled moans and skin slapping against skin. She”s so fucking tight, so beautifully responsive beneath me that it”s almost unbearable. I can hear her heartbeat thundering against my chest, erratic and fast-paced — matching mine perfectly.

Her hands claw at my back, pulling me closer as if she can”t get enough. I don”t blame her.

With each thrust, I can feel her wetness coating my cock, slick and warm. It’s as if the thought of being heard turned her on even more. God, she’s a freak.

And I love her for it.

Lana”s moans are muffled by my hand, but the sounds we make together are still clear enough to anyone outside. I imagine Grigori on the other side of the door, listening to us, hearing the lustful cries and the sounds of our bodies slamming together. It only fuels my desire to make her scream louder, harder.

I feel her legs quivering around me, the grip of her muscles coaxing me deeper into her warmth. Her pussy throbs with every inch of my cock that plunges into her, the wetness of her desire slick on my shaft. She”s so wet she could be a swimming pool, a damn ocean.

I thrust harder, loving the way her body welcomes me. The smack of our skin against one another grows louder, the sounds of our carnal desire clearer now that Grigori is so close.

Lana”s breathing turns ragged, and I can feel her orgasm building. It”s going to be explosive, I can tell. Her nails dig into my back, her legs wrap around me tighter, squeezing me with every thrust.

Then she comes undone under me, legs trembling and pussy squeezing around my cock. The sight of it tosses me over the edge too, and I come with a guttural growl of satisfaction.

Releasing myself inside her is heavenly – it’s like marking my territory in the most primal way possible. My heart beats wildly against my chest as I cradle her limp body against mine.

”Mine,” I murmur possessively into her ear as my fingers trace circles on her sweaty skin.

She doesn”t resist, doesn”t reject me – instead, she melts into my touch like she was always meant to be there. And fuck if that doesn”t make me want to ruin her more.

As we pant to catch our breaths afterward, I can”t help but imagine our future together - one where she belongs to me and only me. That thought alone makes me hard again.

”Ready for round two, baby?”