Page 29 of Mafia Prince's Secret Baby

His stormy, ice-cold eyes lock on Igor, and my heart stumbles in my chest.

It looks like Vasiliy filled him in on the details.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” Igor demands, his voice low and dangerous.

“I should kill you for touching my sister in the first place,” Nikolai growls, his tone dripping with menace.

“Are you kidding me right now?” Igor scoffs, throwing up his hands. “I’ve already gone through this bullshit with your brother. Do we really need to rehash it?”

Before Nikolai can respond, the Bentley’s passenger door opens, and Katarina steps out. She hurries to position herself between them, her movements graceful but deliberate.

“Nick,” she says softly, her voice holding ten different layers of meaning. One word, and yet, Nikolai understands it completely.

His jaw ticks, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. But slowly, ever so slightly, his shoulders relax.

Katarina turns her pale green eyes on her brother. “There’s no need for violence.”

Igor doesn’t flinch. His gaze remains locked on Nikolai, unyielding. “All I want is to take my daughter home,” he says curtly. “Stay out of my way, and we won’t have a problem.”

“We’re only here to say hello,” Katarina says again, her calm tone belying the tension brewing between the two men.

The air is heavy and suffocating, like the calm before a thunderstorm. My pulse races as I watch them, both refusing to back down, both simmering with unspoken threats. I don’t haveto look hard to see this moment is just a lull—a small detour before an inevitable, bloody battle.

Igor’s scowl deepens, carving harsh lines into his sharp features. After a pause that feels like it could snap at any moment, he gives a stiff nod.

Reluctantly, I release my grip on Sofiya’s small hand. She doesn’t hesitate for even a second. Before I can blink, she wriggles free and bolts toward Katarina and Nik, her laughter spilling out like sunlight breaking through storm clouds.

Katarina sweeps her up effortlessly, spinning her around. Sofiya’s joy is high and breathless, her tiny arms stretching wide as she’s lifted up like she’s flying. For a moment, the tension dissolves and the air feels lighter.

Nick reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out a small, plush teddy bear.

Always prepared.

Sofiya’s face lights up with pure, unfiltered wonder. Her eyes grow wide, her little fingers curling around the soft fur like it’s the most magical thing in the world. Without hesitation, she signsthank youwith one hand, holding the bear tightly to her chest with the other.

Her shy smile, soft and delicate, pulls at my heartstrings. For just a moment, I allow myself to breathe.

But, of course, Igor won’t let the moment last.

“That’s enough,” he snaps, his sharp tone cutting through the fragile spell like a jagged blade.

The laughter stops. Katarina’s hands falter, lowering Sofiya gently to the ground. Sofiya glances back at Igor, her smile shrinking but not disappearing entirely.

Nikolai turns to Igor, his expression cold and unyielding. “I’m only letting this go because the child is tired,” he snarls, his voice low and dangerous. “Leave now but know this—I have my eyes and ears everywhere.”

The unspoken threat is loud and clear.

Katarina walks over to me, her movements soft and deliberate, as if she knows I’m on the verge of breaking. She leans in and presses a light kiss to my cheek, her touch comforting but bittersweet.

“I wish you would’ve told us,” she whispers, her voice full of quiet regret. “We could’ve helped you.”

Tears prick the corners of my eyes, but I blink them back, forcing myself to stay composed. “This is my mess,” I murmur. “I have to deal with it.”

She steps back, her pale green eyes holding mine. “Call us,” she says softly.

I nod, unable to find the words to respond.

Taking a deep breath, I turn back to the car. Igor’s men wait patiently near the vehicle, their faces blank and unreadable. Igor stands nearby, his posture tense, his icy gaze tracking my every move.