Page 34 of Arranged with Twins

Two weeks. I can protect her from this knowledge for two more weeks.

It feels like a burden and a lifeline all at once.

I’m not eager to tell her the truth, so I appreciate having two more weeks to do so, even as I worry about her reaction when she learns I kept the knowledge from her for an extended time.

My phone buzzes with another message from Ilya, and I remove it from my pocket to answer since Sienna seems lost in thought as she stares down at an ultrasound photo of our twins.

Ilya’s message reveals his concerns: “Recommend immediate escalation of surveillance protocols. Vincent’s situation appears critical.”

I type back quickly: “ Agreed. Full coverage on all movements and communications. Report any contact with known Adrian associates immediately.”

The dots blink to indicate he’s typing before his next message arrives: “What about informing Sienna?”

Slanting another glance at her, I quickly type: “Not yet. Medical considerations require waiting until second trimester begins. Two weeks until then.”

There’s a pause before his next message. “Understood. Will maintain current operational security.”

“Thank you.” I put away the phone again and turn my attention back to Sienna, who’s still studying the ultrasound photos with obvious delight.

“I still can’t believe it’s real.” She traces her finger across one of the images and outlines the tiny profile of our daughter. “A boy and a girl. Do you have any preferences for names?”

The question forces me to shift mental gears and I let out a little sigh of relief. “I hadn’t given it much thought yet. Do you have ideas?”

“A few. Nothing definite.” She tucks the photos back into her purse carefully. “I keep thinking about family names, traditions, and what kind of legacy we want to pass down to them.”

“What kind of legacy do you want to pass down?” The question is laced with my own concerns about raising children in my world.

“Love, security, and the confidence to make their own choices.” Sienna meets my gaze.

“I want them to know their parents chose each other and chose them, not out of obligation or arrangement, but because we wanted to build something together. I don’t ever want them to know our engagement started out as a business deal. I want a marriage, not a merger.”

Her words ease some of my tension. Sienna and I are building something authentic.

Our children will grow up knowing they were wanted, planned for, and loved before they were even born.

I’m certain she’ll forgive me for withholding the information about her father for a few weeks since she’s as determined to make this work as I am.

“They’ll have that.” I reach for her hand again, needing the connection. “Whatever else happens, they’ll know they were wanted and loved.”

“Promise?” There’s vulnerability in her voice that reminds me how much she’s trusting me, and how completely she’s committing to a future neither of us could have imagined four months ago.

“I promise.” The words carry more weight than any vow I’ve ever made. “I’ll protect them, you, and what we’re building together, no matter what it costs.”

When we arrive at her apartment building, I walk her to the elevator despite her protests that such attention isn’t necessary.

The security team I’ve assigned to her building reports no unusual activity, but I check their positions anyway and ensure coverage is complete and communication protocols are functioning properly.

“Will I see you tonight?” Sienna asks as the elevator doors prepare to close.

“If you want to.” The response reveals more uncertainty than I like to show. Last night changed everything between us, and I’m still adjusting to the emotional vulnerability that comes with love.

“I want to.” Her smile is soft and genuine. “Come for dinner. I’ll cook something that won’t trigger morning sickness.”

“I’ll be there.” I press a quick kiss to her lips before the doors close, then watch the floor indicator until I know she’s safely in her apartment.

During the drive back to my office, I review the intelligence Ilya has gathered about Vincent’s deteriorating situation. This isn’t good. It’s not good at all, and I’m stuck in the middle of it with two kids on the way.

Vincent owes Adrian money he can’t repay. Adrian’s people are monitoring Vincent and tracking his every financial move. His legitimate business is under systematic attack, with containers disappearing and shipments disrupted in ways that bleed money and credibility.

Most concerning is Esai Janitz’s involvement. His presence signals that Adrian has moved beyond to active demand for repayment. Men like Janitz don’t conduct friendly meetings or offer extended payment terms.

They deliver ultimatums backed by brutal violence.

There’s no Chapter Eleven for dismissing bratva debts, and I still have problems believing Vincent was so desperate that he made this continual series of bad decisions.

By the time I reach my office, I’ve decided Vincent’s situation requires immediate attention, not just for his sake but for Sienna’s protection. If Adrian is using Vincent as a way to plot against me, then resolving Vincent’s debt becomes a strategic necessity rather than family obligation.

The truth is, I can’t trust Vincent anymore.

I want to… but I can’t.

I call Ilya from my private office. “I need a complete financial analysis of Vincent’s debt structure. I want to know principal amounts, interest rates, payment schedules, and penalties for early settlement.”

“Are you considering paying off Adrian directly?” Ilya sounds surprised.

“I’m considering removing Vincent as a pressure point in Adrian’s strategy.” I settle back in my chair and already calculate the financial implications. “If Vincent’s debt is eliminated, Adrian loses his primary leverage over the Cooper family. We can deal with Adrian later.”

“That assumes Adrian will accept repayment and release Vincent from any other obligations.” Ilya’s tone carries skepticism. “Men like Adrian rarely let go of useful assets voluntarily. He might not even be after the money.”

“Then we’ll have to make the alternative less appealing than cooperation.” I open my secure laptop and begin reviewing liquid assets that could be deployed quickly. “How much lead time do you need for the financial analysis?”

“Six hours for preliminary numbers, and twenty-four for comprehensive details including hidden obligations and penalty clauses.”

“Do it but keep this compartmentalized. No one else needs to know about our interest in Vincent’s financial situation until we’re ready to move.”

“Understood.”

After ending the call, I sit alone in my office, thinking hard but getting nowhere.

It isn’t lost on me that protecting the woman I love requires engaging with the violence I’ve tried to distance myself from.

In my bid to be less enmeshed in bratva dealings, I’d even let Adrian’s actions go unpunished beyond stopping his interference with my organization.

That benevolent decision might be coming back to haunt me.

Vincent’s choices have forced my hand. If he won’t extricate himself from Adrian’s influence, then I’ll do it for him.

Not out of family loyalty or gratitude for past kindness, but because Sienna’s safety and our children’s future depend on eliminating every weapon Adrian might use against Vincent or myself.

There are two weeks until Sienna enters the safer phase of her pregnancy. That gives me two weeks to ensure that when I finally tell her the truth about her father’s choices, I can also tell her the threat has been eliminated, assuming Adrian will be amenable, and I’ll have to ensure he is.

Some problems require money while others require strategy.

This one might require both, along with a willingness to remind Adrian Petrov why breaking faith with Leo Denisov was the worst mistake he ever made.

I let it go once, but I won’t make that mistake again if he tries to turn on me, or I learn he’s scheming against me.