Chapter 39

Victor

I STARE at the text on my phone, my jaw clenching.

Hey, going to have lunch with Ksenia Eli. Surprising, right? But yeah, just wanted to let you know…

Blyad. Laura, alone with Ksenia? That’s a fucking disaster waiting to happen.

I haven’t spent nearly enough time with my wife lately. And isn’t that a fucking joke? Calling her my wife, like this whole thing isn’t just a business arrangement.

But then why the hell am I in this car, speeding toward Le Cirque, where I know they’re having lunch? Why is there this knot in my gut, this nagging feeling that I need to be there, need to see her?

I clench my fists, staring out the window without seeing the city blur past. The truth is, I can’t stop thinking about her. Can’t stop picturing those wide, innocent eyes, the way she looks at me like I’m not a complete monster.

And fuck, the way she felt milking my cock with her pussy, all warm, wet, and willing … I’d give anything to be back in that bed, spreading her legs and burying myself inside her until she’s screaming my name.

Der’mo. This is not how it was supposed to go. She’s a means to an end, a way to secure my empire. I’m not supposed to actually give a fuck about her.

But I do. And that scares the shit out of me.

The phone rings, and I answer it.

“Hello to you too, boss,” Misha drawls, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “A little intense, huh? Lunch with the wife and Ksenia. Sounds like a real party.”

“Shut up, Mish,” I growl, feeling my face heat. Fucking Misha, always knowing exactly which buttons to push. “This isn’t about that. It’s about business.”

Misha chuckles, the sound grating on my nerves. “Right, right. Business. Is that what we’re calling it now?”

I clench my jaw, my fingers tightening around the phone. “Did you actually have something important to tell me, or did you just call to bust my balls?”

Misha sighs, and I can practically hear him rolling his eyes. “We’ve got a problem, boss. Vasiliev’s been moving his operations. Closing down businesses, relocating his people.”

I curse under my breath. We’ve been planning our attack for days, ever since that fucking ambush. No way in hell are we letting that suka get the drop on us again.

“He’s running scared,” I growl, my hand tightening on my phone. “Knows we’ve got his ledger, knows we can bring his whole fucking empire down.”

“Or he’s regrouping,” Misha counters. “Getting ready to strike back.”

I know he’s right. Vasiliev’s a snake, but he’s not stupid. He’s not going to just roll over and die.

“Double the patrols,” I order, my mind racing. “I want eyes on every single one of his known associates. The minute that mudak sticks his head out, I want to know.”

“Got it, boss.” Misha pauses, and I can hear the hesitation in his voice. “And the exchange? With the ledger?”

I close my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose. The ledger. Our one bargaining chip, the thing that’s supposed to get us our cargo back and give us the upper hand.

But it’s also the thing that could bring everything crashing down if it falls into the wrong hands.

“We proceed as planned,” I say finally, my voice hard. “But triple the security. I’m not taking any chances.”

“Understood.” Misha clears his throat. “And Victor… be careful, yeah? With Ksenia, with all of it.”

I snort, shaking my head. “I’m always careful, Misha. You know that.”

But even as I say it, I know it’s a lie. Because if I was careful, truly careful, I wouldn’t be feeling this… this whatever the fuck it is for Laura.

I wouldn’t be risking everything just to make sure she’s okay.

I end the call, leaning my head back against the seat. Ahead of me, the restaurant looms, gleaming glass and polished stone.

I can feel Igor’s eyes on me in the rearview mirror, but he knows better than to say anything. He just pulls up to the curb, the car gliding to a smooth stop.

I take a deep breath, straightening my tie. Time to face the music.

I stride into the restaurant, ignoring the startled looks from the staff. I’m sure I make quite the picture, all dark suit and darker scowl.

But I don’t give a fuck. All I care about is getting to Laura, making sure Ksenia hasn’t ripped her to shreds.

I push open the door to the private room, ready for anything. But the scene that greets me is not what I expected.

Laura’s sitting there, her eyes wide and startled, water dribbling down her chin. Across from her, Ksenia looks like the cat that caught the canary, a picture of smug satisfaction.

And Eli… Eli’s giggling like it’s the funniest thing she’s ever seen.

“What the hell is going on here?” I demand.

Three sets of eyes snap to me, surprise and something else flickering across their faces.

But before anyone can answer, Eli pipes up, her voice bright and cheerful.

“Tetya Laura is pregnant!”

The silence that follows Eli’s announcement is deafening. I can hear my own heartbeat pounding in my ears, feel the blood rushing to my face.

Pregnant? Laura’s… pregnant?

I stare at her, my mind reeling. She’s not looking at me, her eyes fixed on the table, her cheeks flushed a deep crimson.

I open my mouth, but no words come out. What the hell am I supposed to say to that?

Ksenia clears her throat, her voice cutting through the tension like a knife. “Well, isn’t that… interesting news.”

Her tone is light, but I can hear the underlying accusation. The unspoken question hanging in the air.

Is it yours, Victor?

I swallow hard, forcing a laugh. It comes out strained and awkward, even to my own ears. “Eli, sweetheart, I think you might be mistaken. Laura’s not… she can’t be…”

But even as I say it, I know it’s a lie. Because I see the truth written all over Laura’s face, in the way she won’t meet my eyes, the way her hands are shaking as she grips her water glass.

Blyad. This can’t be happening. This wasn’t part of the plan.

Laura finally looks up, her gaze locking with mine. There’s fear there, and shame, and something else I can’t quite name.

“Victor, I…” She trails off, her voice trembling. “I’m sorry. I didn’t… I don’t…”

I hold up a hand, cutting her off. I can’t do this here, not in front of Ksenia and Eli. Not when I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that my wife—my fake wife—is carrying my child.

“We’ll talk about this later,” I say, my voice low and controlled. But beneath the surface, I can feel the anger bubbling, the betrayal and confusion and fucking panic clawing at my insides.

Ksenia’s watching me, her eyes sharp and assessing. I can practically see the gears turning in her head, the calculations and machinations.

This changes everything. And she knows it.

Eli, bless her innocent heart, seems oblivious to the tension. She’s still grinning, bouncing in her seat like she just delivered the best news in the world.

“Isn’t it exciting, Dyadya Victor? You’re going to be a papa!”

I force a smile, but it feels more like a grimace. “Yes, malyshka. Very exciting.”

Laura’s staring at her lap now, her shoulders hunched like she’s trying to make herself as small as possible. Like she wants to disappear.

And fuck, a part of me wants to let her. Wants to pretend this isn’t happening, that it’s all just some crazy misunderstanding.

But I can’t.

Because judging from Laura’s expression, it’s real, and it’s happening, and I have to deal with it.

Somehow.

I take a deep breath, straightening my spine. I’m the Pakhan, the leader of the Bratva. I don’t run from my problems, and I sure as hell don’t let them defeat me.

“Ksenia, would you mind taking Eli to get some dessert? I think Laura and I need to have a little chat.”

My sister’s eyes narrow, but she nods, standing up and holding out her hand to Eli. “Come on, milaya. Let’s go see what kind of ice cream they have.”

Eli pouts for a moment, clearly not wanting to leave the excitement. But then she shrugs, hopping down from her chair and taking Ksenia’s hand.

“Okay. But Tetya Laura has to have some, too! The baby wants ice cream, I bet.”

Laura makes a strangled sound, halfway between a laugh and a sob. I wait until Ksenia and Eli are gone, the door closing behind them with a soft click.

Then I turn to Laura, my eyes boring into hers.

“Start talking. Now.”