9. Valentin

NINE

Valentin

eight months later

O pening my passport, I check it for the thousandth time to make sure it's mine. I'll drag Dani back with me if I have to. She can't just fucking disappear. I don't give a fuck if her family have died, Dani belongs with me.

She's nowhere in the States and I'll search the entire of Brazil until I find someone who knows her family.The tracker is a piece of shit – or she's thrown my gift away. It's easier to believe that I gave my girl a shitty gift rather than the alternative that she doesn't want anything to do with me.

My phone rings at the same time as the announcement goes off for my flight and I answer automatically seeing Vlad's name.

"You stupid little shit! I told you not to fucking lie if it ever happened and you fucked up. "

His bark is loud enough to have my ears ringing, and I hold it away from my face to protect my hearing. When the murmuring stops, I pull it back, confused as fuck at whatever's crawled up his ass now.

"Get the fuck home. Now Valentin. If you make me come find you it will be worse." He doesn't say anything else and ends the call.

I can't even ask Tali what's happened. He's pissed at me and probably ecstatic about my impending death. Fuck them both, if Vlad wants to kill me, the neurotic bastard can follow me to Brazil. I can't even guess what could have pissed him off when he's 90% rage. I put a pause on dying for now as I go towards my gate, but Tali's call comes through next. He hasn't spoke to me since Dani left and I answer, hoping he's stopped being pisses at me, but he sounds panicked and there's no hate in his voice.

"Get home, Vlad's pissed. Whatever you did has him in a meeting with Maximoff."

I haven't done fuck that would involve the Pakhan. I'm a teenager and I haven't even got my stars for fuck's sake.

My feet argue with each other, — go to Dani or go home — I don't have her exact location, but she has to be in Brazil. She doesn't have any other family and she's not with us. She wouldn't be around the fucks her sister keeps as company. My girl is too intelligent, and she would have come to us, me. Tali's voice is in my ear, the worry in it urging me to go back and making my decision for me.

"Don't be a dick and come home or it will end up being worse."

I've met the Pakhan once, in passing as I stood guard with Dima during a meeting of the Vory. He nodded his head and that's it. I couldn't have offended him.

I end the call without saying anything and turn going back to my car. My girl should be here. If I die before seeing her, I'll be pissed. I'll get the next flight once I've been given a lecture. It can't be due to fucking someone in the Bratva when I haven't touched anyone since Dani was in my bed. My foul mood since she decided to go MIA makes it harder to try to anticipate who I might have pissed off, I think I've done it to everyone who has crossed my path.

I make it home in half the time itching to get back to the airport and I pull up at the same time as the front door opens. There are more guards standing outside and the Pakhan stands on the top step adjusting his coat. He assesses me from head to toe as I get out of the car. His eyes are nearly black, and his hair is greying at his temples, but he exudes authority despite his age.

There's no head nod or acknowledgement as he slowly takes the three steps down and gets in his car. He only stops looking when he drives away, sat in the back of his car with Misha as a guard following behind him. I've known Misha since I was a kid and his brows briefly come together, showing he has no idea what's going on either.

I've fucked up, whatever shit has been said is enough for the head of the Bratva to be involved and for his juniors to not have heard. Everyone knows the rumors are bullshit, it's what people use to hide the sinister truth. Even Dima gives me a tight lipped smile and isn't a cunt as he stops me at the door.

"Tell the truth and he'll go easy on you. He's worried that's all."

My hands are sweating. Vlad doesn't do emotions like a normal person. He's all rage and sarcasm. Worry isn't something I've ever seen on him and if Dima's miserable ass is trying to put me at ease I'm more than fucked.

My fear isn't over my life, as much as he's a murderous bastard, I know he won't kill me. I don't want to disappoint him. Growing up we didn't have a mother or a father, we had a Vlad. He's a combination of the two, holding a title of brother that's too small to describe the role he's filled.Even Dima can't get close to that position when he basically became our stepdad.

He opens the door for me, urging me to move when I'm content on the step. "Go, remember not to lie to a Vor."

I nod and force myself to move.

Regret is instant because I see my brother straight away, standing at the bar with his suit jacket off and his shirt sleeves rolled up. I'm fucked and he might actually kill me. Other than when he's fighting, there's never a thread out of place. He's a freak and he probably sleeps in his suit if he ever leaves his private office. The tumbler is at his lips and he's holding the bottle with a white knuckle grip. There's enough missing to give me hope he's calmed down, until Tali shakes his head, destroying it before it can take root as the door closes behind me and I walk into the lounge.

Vlad turns before I can ask what's happened, and I can see every twisted plot of murder in his eyes as he asks, "How long were you fucking her for?"

Shame washes over me because I don't even know which her he's referring to. When I don't have an answer, he drops the tumbler on the bar top and takes three steps closing the distance between us.Every part of my body tenses bracing for impact. He hasn't hit me since I was a kid and Len would tell him to make us strong, but my body locks up.

His hand moves — flat. It's not a fist. He grips my nape and rests his forehead on mine like we're children again, only this time he's not whispering tactics or telling me where to run before Len can catch me. It's worse than disappointment, I can see pain behind his anger with us being so close. His voice is still deadly, and he squeezes my nape to a point just before it can be painful.

"You can tell me. It won't leave this room, Valyusha."

He never uses the softer diminutive of my name, it's always Valya. Looking between my eyes, he sees my confusion and lets me go so he can continue getting drunk again.

"Who are you talking about?" My question comes out weak as fuck and Tali shrugs when I look to him for an answer.

Vlad tenses, his body getting bigger like some mythical angry creature, and he grits, "Carly."

I didn't fuck her. We were both high and then she was gone in the morning, but my clothes were on. I relax because he's clearly been told bullshit.

"I haven't fucked Carly," I say and check my passport is still in my pocket.

The room falls silent. I can feel Tali's hate coming back thinking that's why Dani has disappeared. But her sister is a liar, I didn't fucking touch her.I wouldn't touch her. The others were different because I was making them feel worse than what they did to Dani, and she never held it against me. I'm not a dumb fuck, I know my girl, she'd be hurt if I touched her sister. I don't even like the bitch.

Glass crunches, forcing me to look at my only parent and Vlad turns with his hand already bloodied .

"Do not fucking lie to me. You fucked her almost ten months ago." My confusion deepens as his anger increases. "Otherwise, Leno wouldn't have walked into the gym holding a little boy with your fucking face!"

I sound like an idiot, but I don't give a fuck.

"It's not mine," I say. "You could have fucked her for all I know. It's probably your kid."

His eyes are terrifying, pinning me in place. His jaw turns to stone, and he holds himself back physically as he spits out, "I wouldn't forget the cunt who gave birth to my kid."

He plucks the glass from his palm and shakes his head, knocking some of his anger away. His disappointment is worse than anger. I'd take him screaming in my face or beating the shit out of me over the low voice filled with disgust.

"You're not abandoning your son. Try it and you'll find yourself out of this family," he says it so easily like I'm nothing. Sticking to his first question, he repeats himself with the rage simmering. "How long Val? She's an adult. If it's something you didn't want to do tell me because the only thing stopping me from burning the bitch alive for the next thirty years is the fact that your son is with her right now."

Oh fuck, that's why he's being weird, he thinks she took advantage of innocent little me. Laughing because it's ridiculous, I throw myself into the armchair and give him what I can remember.

"I was at a house party about a year ago, don't remember fucking her. We were both drunk and I woke up with my jeans on."

I'm not going to tell him I was high when he's weird as fuck about drugs. If we do them in the house, he'll calm down but anything outside or around other people and he acts like a sober coach.

I look at Tali, hoping my little brother, my twin in everything but age, believes me. A padded envelope slaps against my chest and Vlad crosses his arms over his chest as he orders, "Do the inside of your cheek, I've already got one from the baby."

It won't be my kid, I'm eighteen, for fuck's sake. Just because my dick works doesn't mean I'd automatically get someone pregnant. Especially not Dani's fucking sister. She's supposed to be the mother of my kids, not their aunt.I've never touched anyone without wrapping up, even if it was their hand, because the only person I'd feel bare is my girl .

The tube rolls out of the envelope as I tip it upside down. I just stare at it like I've been dropped on Earth for the first time. Is this why Dani left? She would have called or said something. Not just disappeared. The timing matches up, she's been gone for eight months. But she wouldn't cut Tali off, she'd have spoken to him at least.I can't have a kid. I don't even know anything. But that lying bitch has made everyone believe that her bastard kid is mine.

Unhappy with my lack of movement, Vlad takes the items from my hand and uses his non-bloody hand to swab the inside of my cheek.

"Stay here, I'll be back as soon as I have the results."

Picking up the other envelope from the bar, he fucks off. If looks could kill, Tali would be mass murderer from his stink eye, and I'm left alone with it as the front door slams.

"You're a fucking prick. Why did you have to fucking hurt her? You couldn't just keep your dick to yourself?"Tali throws his hands in the air and takes a step forward, ready to attack me. "Seriously?! You're such a fucking dickhead! It's not just your dick that's cursed, everything about you is."

I only focus on Dani as I step in front of him and ask, "Have you spoken to her?"

They've never gone a day without some form of communication, apart from when her parents died. My heart is beating too fast, and hope comes back. He shakes his head and punches me in the ribs with his full force, pushing me back.

"If I did I wouldn't fucking tell you."

He didn't say no, that means she's okay.

Hurt contorts his features and I'm a prick.

"She's my best fucking friend," he whispers, "my family. Do you actually realize how much you fucked me over? You're the only person who I've told all my theories to, you might not believe me, but I know I'm right and now you took my sister away."

I wasn't thinking about him, or anyone. It's always been Daniela Carvalho, even when I was being a prick to the others it was to hurt them for what they did to her. Every person who tried to bully her, humiliate her, got it worse and I destroyed them.

I don't know how to force him not to be pissed at me so I do the only thing I can think of and wrap my arms around him. He punches me, trying to get me to move and I can't find the words. We weren't taught to say I'm sorry, we were taught the opposite, but Tali is the most normal out of our family and he cares about people.

"Get off me, you riddled fuck," he grits. "I don't want whatever disease you've picked up from that bitch."

"I didn't fucking touch her."

The insult sticks to my skin and he manages to stop punching me at my denial. He deflates and still argues despite the fact he's stopped hitting me.

"It doesn't mean you're not riddled. You're cursed, man, and I hate you for taking her away from me."

My arms fall, limply hanging at my sides. He actually believes it rather than being a joke. It's there in his eyes as he steps back, and I bite my tongue to prevent hurting him verbally as he sits on the edge of the window seat.

I don't remember anything before my little brother. It's always been the two of us, my first memory is from his third birthday when Vlad took me to steal him a birthday present, and we used to sleep in the same bed because he'd get lonely in the middle of the night. I hated how hot my hand would be but he wouldn't calm down unless I let him hold it all night. Those memories bring the need to apologize for something I didn't do, but that's not what comes out of my mouth as I take the seat opposite him.

"It's not mine, Dani wouldn't have left because of her sister getting knocked up. She'd stay here to be there for her."

He nods, agreeing with me while staring at his shoes. Fuck, if he cries I'll let him stab me in the leg or somewhere that isn't fatal. As much as she'd be hurt by me, my artist is too good, and she would be excited about becoming an aunt.She wouldn't leave her family and the next words burn knowing how true they are.

"She wouldn't leave you ," I say.

Tali lifts his head and his lips twist as he whispers low and filled with emotion. "But she did."

It's easy to forget how deeply he feels things when he's always happy and stuffing his face. My voice is weak, and I lean forward out of habit expecting Len or Anika to be behind me as I ask, "Do you want me to get you a burger? "

It's his favorite comfort food and I'll make it myself if it stops his lips twisting. He'd do the same thing when we'd have to fight, and he was trying not to cry. He shakes his head and takes a controlled breath forcing a smile on his face.

My little brother is back when he looks up, giving me shit. "I thought Vlad was going to kick your ass when you said it could be his kid."

A shiver works through me, and I flex my shoulders getting it to leave as I let the thought out. "Fuck that. Imagine that psycho reproducing? It would be like a little demon bathing in blood."

He laughs and loses all of his anger as he slouches in his seat. He turns looking out of the window and gestures for Dima to come inside. Our stepdad wastes no time leaving his post and he joins us for Tali to begin his interrogation and keep us occupied. "What are the chances of the kid belonging to your husband?"

Dima's grumble replaces all the tension. It's like we're kids again, and he's fed up with us. "He's not my fucking husband."

I nod, feigning seriousness. "Is that because he found out you were cheating on him? I should kick your ass for stepping out on my brother."

If they were actually in a relationship, I'd do it, but they're not so he's safe.

It hasn't even been an hour when Vlad storms back in holding a duffel bag. Everything falls silent and Dima takes a deep breath at whatever he's been told telepathically. The duffel is weighted and hits the floor with a thud as Dima leaves with his phone to his ear. I turn my head and Vlad is even more pissed than when he left as he flicks his finger at me.

"Up. You thought you were a man sticking your dick wherever you could fit it."

I know I look dumb. I can feel my face sinking and I don't blink as he slams the door shaking the house.

"Now, it's time to become one, go get your son."

I look around the room like someone's going to pop out and say it's an elaborate as fuck prank. Tali's face matches mine as he stares at me. I've heard wrong, or I've spent eighteen years not knowing what words actually mean. There's no fucking way I have a kid. A baby that I'm responsible for. When I don't move, Vlad kicks the bag towards me and his disgust forces mine out .

"Fifty fucking grand they asked for! That's the type of woman you thought would be good enough to carry your child."

I swallow around the lump in my throat, and he moves forward. Tali is wide eyed in shock at Vlad being honest for once.

"I allowed Leno to go free years ago because of what he had on me, now it's to save you."

His knuckles are fucked as he puts one hand on my shoulder and does the same to Tali like when we were kids. It's fitting considering I'm as lost as I was then. His voice is softer only in volume as he dips his head meeting each of our eyes.

"I've got rid of anyone who could tell Anika and Len, keep your mouths shut until he's safe and with us."

Both of us nod and I've officially left my body. I've never even held a baby. I don't know what the fuck I'm supposed to do. I know they drink milk but what if it's lactose intolerant. How the fuck would it be able to tell me. Or would it be on its birth certificate. Like a little chart telling you what to do. So, I ask, "Does it have a birth certificate that will tell me its allergies and shit?"

Vlad straightens and blows out a breath as he taps on his thigh.

"You're a dumb fuck, I don't know why the fuck I spent so much money on a fancy fucking school."

He walks away while muttering about how much of an idiot I am, and Tali laughs to himself being more vocal.

"You're actually an idiot, haven't you seen your own birth certificate?"

I shake my head and hiss back, "Does it look like I know anything?!"

I have a kid, I don't want a kid, I'm still one myself. I'm glad he's finding amusement in my fucking mental breakdown. It's a valid fucking question, people drink oat milk and shit. Babies are just smaller people, they might need to do the same. Vlad barks my name and we both stand knowing now is not the time to piss him off. He's already in the car when we leave, and he turns back into his usual sarcastic prick self.

"A birth certificate only says the kid's name, their parents, when and where they were born. If it came with warnings, yours would have stupid in big red letters."

Dima hides his smirk behind his hand as he drives, and I stare at the headrest in front of me, unblinking .

I'm going to fuck the kid up. I know I am. Fuck, what if I end up being a dick to it? Or like my parents?

Vlad's face comes into view as I blink and look to the side. He's tapping away on his phone, and I want to throw myself out of the car and run. He'd look after it, with Dima, like he did with us. Fuck I can't breathe.

Tali laughs and throws his phone at me as he says, "They drink formula and you thought they drank normal milk. I feel sorry for the kid already, he's going to be running around with a diaper on his head."

It stops me going through with my escape plan and I punch him in the leg because I have nothing to say. He has a million tabs open, all of them are about caring for a baby, so I read through them, but I can't take in any information as we drive to collect a kid I shouldn't have.