Page 25 of Cruel Russian Pakhan (Safin Bratva #1)

By the time we got to the clinic, Katya was asleep again. I gently nudged her awake and helped her inside, where we were immediately given a room.

I’d brought her to one of the clinics we protected in the area, the kind of place where our men got treated, no questions asked, no reports or records filed.

A nurse came, asked Katya a few questions, and took some blood samples. When she left, Katya dozed off again almost immediately.

After we left the park, she said she was fine. Hungry, even. It was around three, and neither of us had eaten since seven that morning, unless I counted the coffee and ice cream.

We stopped for burgers and fries, nothing fancy, just greasy comfort food.

But after eating, she suddenly gagged, clamped a hand over her mouth, and bolted for the bathroom. I was glad she ran into a family restroom and not the women's, making it easier for me to follow.

I held her around the waist as she emptied everything into the toilet bowl.

When she was done, she was, of course, embarrassed. I helped her to the sink, watched as she rinsed her mouth and splashed water on her face.

We stood there for a while, saying nothing. I stayed behind her, my hands still lightly on her hips, while hers pressed against the edge of the sink.

Then her knees buckled.

I didn’t hesitate. I caught her and carried her out.

Now, as she lay pale and still in the clinic bed, I couldn’t shake the unease crawling up my spine.

I felt guilty.

Maybe her brain was finally catching up to everything from today: the truth about her mother’s name, seeing the grave site, meeting Martha.

Fuck.

It was too much, too fast.

I should’ve taken it one piece at a time. But I wanted it done, wanted to rip the damn bandage off and get all the pain out in one go. Thought it’d be cleaner that way. Easier.

It wasn’t.

I ran my hand through my hair and exhaled through my mouth slowly. I pushed too hard, and now here we were in a damn clinic. And I hated that I might’ve been the reason.

About an hour later, Katya stirred in the bed. I stood, making sure I was in her line of sight when her eyes opened.

“Hey,” she said, her voice raspy. “Where are we?”

My brow furrowed. “We’re at the clinic. Don’t you remember?”

I watched as recognition flickered across her face, and then, slowly, it turned red.

“How do you feel?” I asked, tucking a few strands of hair behind her ear.

“A little queasy. Did the doctor say anything yet?”

I was just about to tell her that no doctor had come in yet when the door opened.

A dark-haired woman stepped inside, her hair pulled back in a ponytail. She wore a white coat and carried a clipboard, her smile warm but professional.

“Mr. and Mrs. Safin,” she said, extending her hand. “I’m Dr. Green.”

We shook hands as she flipped through the papers on her clipboard.

“Based on the results of your blood tests, Mrs. Safin, you're pregnant,” Dr. Green smiled.

Holy fuck. A baby?

“P-pregnant?” Katya echoed, her voice trembling.

“Yes. We'll need to do an ultrasound to determine how far along you are. Given the dizzy spells, I recommend rest. Take it easy for now.”

Katya only nodded.

“I'll have the nurse come in shortly to take you for the ultrasound, do your vitals, and then we can talk about the next steps.”

“Thank you.”

Dr. Green left, and the room fell into a strange, quiet tension.

A fucking baby.

Shit.

I leaned in and kissed her forehead. “Get some rest. I’ll be back.”

I didn’t wait for her to respond. I didn’t even meet her eyes. I couldn't, for fear of what I might find there.

I walked out, jaw tight, fists clenched, every step echoing like a gavel in my head.

Back in the car, I slid behind the wheel and shut the door with more force than necessary. My head hit the headrest. I closed my eyes.

Katya’s pregnant.

What the hell have I done?

This wasn't supposed to happen. She wasn't mine to keep. I was supposed to annul the marriage, return her like a signed contract, and marry Vera.

But I allowed my desire for her to override my common sense. Now, I'd crossed a line that couldn't be uncrossed. Fuck! I burned my plan for the faction, for my family, with my own damn hands.

I rubbed a hand down my face.

For the first time in my life, I had no idea what the fuck to do, and how the fuck I was going to fix this mess.

But…picture how she’ll look pregnant.

I imagined Katya waddling toward me, her belly swollen with our child, a soft smile lighting up her face.

I pictured the fullness of her breasts, the way her body would change, how I’d rub her feet, give her back massages, hold her close at night, take care of her as she took care of the baby growing inside her.

Our baby.

And despite myself, my heart skipped a beat.

I was fucked, and I knew it.

Before I even realized it, I was dialing Jaroslav.

He answered on the first ring. “What’s wrong?”

He knew what my plans were with Katya today.

“She’s pregnant.”

Silence stretched for a moment.

“For clarity…who’s pregnant?”

“Katya.”

A pause. Then, “So I’m going to be an uncle?” I could swear I heard a faint smile in his voice, which was rare, nearly nonexistent.

“I fucked up.” My voice was tight, strained.

Jaroslav had always been the voice of reason. I’d trusted him with Bratva moves that could’ve cost us everything. I needed to trust him now.

“You got your wife pregnant. I’m still trying to figure out where you fucked up.”

“I’m supposed to marry Vera. Katya can’t be pregnant by me.”

“Katya’s a Rykov. Maybe not the Rykov you were meant to marry, but she’s the one beside you now.”

“Artyom’s going to lose his shit.”

“He might. But it doesn’t change facts. Both families are bound by blood now, deal or no deal. Not how we pictured it, sure. But the result? Still useful. Sometimes the plan changes. The goal doesn’t.” Jaroslav paused. “So…is the goal still the same?”

The plan had been simple: seduce Vera, uncover the Rykovs' secrets, and use them as leverage against Artyom. Then, with the intel coming from his brokerage network, it would give our faction power. Power and control. Over alliances, information, movement.

But now?

“The goal’s shifted. We’re not getting Artyom’s secrets through Katya. But once his people hear she’s pregnant, it cements the alliance, even without the initial deal.”

“I agree. We just need access to what they have. Once that door opens, Timur can start forging new links, pulling threads.”

I nodded to myself.

Jaroslav didn’t waste time. “Alright. Bratva goal’s secure. Now let’s talk personal. How do you feel, knowing you’re going to be a father?”

“I always knew I’d have kids. Bloodline and legacy come with life. But I assumed it’d be with someone I barely tolerated. Someone I’d fuck and forget outside the child.”

“And now it’s Katya?”

“Yeah.”

“You love her?”

“Can I be honest with you?”

“Always.”

I inhaled deeply before I spoke.

“I’m sexually drawn to her. I can’t stop thinking about her.

I want to protect her like my life depends on it.

I’d lie, manipulate, even control her if it meant keeping her safe.

I’d give her the world if she asked. She…

calms something in me when I’m burning inside.

But love?” I exhaled. “I don’t know. I’ve never had that with a woman.

Don’t know what it’s supposed to feel like. ”

“But you’ve loved before. Mom. Dad. Me. Our siblings. You show up every time. You carry the weight, you make the hard calls, you bleed for us. That’s love, Lev. Just because it doesn’t come wrapped in soft words and music doesn’t mean it isn’t real. And I’m sure you're doing the same for Katya.”

He paused, thoughtful.

“Ninel said Katya loves you. My advice? Hold on to her. In a world where she could’ve judged you, rejected this life, she chose you.”

In the background, I heard grunts and movement, then Jaroslav talking to someone.

“Tie his ass up. I'll be right there.

“I’ve got to go,” he said, speaking to me. “But congrats, Lev. I’m happy for you, and for Katya. We’ll swing by the house soon.”

And just like that, the call ended.

I stayed in the car like a damn coward, turning over everything Jaroslav said. I thought I was smart, strategic and calculated. But somehow, I'd tripped and fallen headfirst into something I never planned for.

Love.

And with that came two very real, very dangerous weaknesses: Katya, and the child growing inside her.

I wasn’t ready to face her. Not yet.

Even if I knew she needed me.

An hour later, I finally stepped back inside and went in search of Dr. Green. I asked about the ultrasound. She said Katya was around four weeks pregnant, but her elevated blood pressure meant she’d be staying overnight for observation.

I nodded, offered a tight thanks, and walked right back out. I hopped into my car, pulled out my phone and dialed.

“Rocco,” I said the moment he answered. “Bring six more guards to the clinic. Now.”

“Yes, boss.”

I hung up without another word.

Because the woman carrying my child wasn’t just a weakness.

She was mine.

And I’d kill every man between us before I let anyone touch what belonged to me.

Two hours later, I stood outside the clinic talking to Rocco in the parking lot while the other guards got into position.

“She’s staying the night. I want a full perimeter. No one gets close unless I clear them first.”

“Understood,” he replied.

Just then, I caught a flicker of movement in my peripheral vision. Something or someone shifting in the shadows near the side of the clinic.

Immediately, my hand went to my gun, and I started moving, eyes narrowing as I stepped off the main path and followed the shadowed trail behind the building. Rocco was right behind me, gun already drawn.

As we rounded the corner, I caught sight of the back door swinging shut.

Shit.

I sprinted forward, yanked the door open, and raised my gun, only to find two women walking briskly down the hallway.

“Turn around,” I barked. “Now. Or I shoot.”

They obeyed without hesitation, hands slowly lifting in surrender as they turned around.

I didn’t bother hiding my annoyance when I realized who they were.

“What the hell are you two doing here?” My voice was cold and clipped. “Does Artyom know?”

Kira stepped forward, chin lifted in defiance. “No. He doesn’t. We’ve been tracking you and Katya for days. When we realized you'd stopped here, we followed. We saw you outside the clinic, which means something’s wrong with her. And we’re not leaving until we see her.”

“And why should I allow that?” I asked flatly, folding my arms.

Vera’s eyes flashed. “Because she’s a Rykov, and you have no right to keep her from us. She’s our sister. We’re not going anywhere until we know she’s okay.”

“She may be a Rykov by blood,” I said evenly, “but she’s a Safin by marriage. And as her husband, my connection trumps yours.”

Kira’s voice sharpened. “So you’re not going to let us see her? That’s what this is?”

“What I'm saying is I don't trust that you're not here under Artyom's orders. He hates her for something she didn’t do. Her mother had no idea your father was married, and when she found out, she didn’t want to ruin his happy little family. Without money to take care of Katya, she dumped her in an orphanage, thinking it was the best shot her daughter had at a decent life. But, it was fucking hell!”

I took a step closer, voice low but fierce.

“And now that I can give her everything she needs—security, love, a future—I’ll be damned if I let anyone take her back to a place where she felt unloved and unwanted.”

By the time I stopped speaking, my chest was heaving. Vera and Kira stared at me, eyes wide with shock, neither of them daring to speak.

Vera took a cautious step forward, her voice softening. “We’re not here to hurt her, Lev. We’re worried. That’s it. We care about her, too.”

I studied her for a long moment, then finally nodded.

“I’ll take you to her.”

“Thank you.”

As we walked down the hallway toward Katya’s room, I hoped to hell I wasn't about to make another mistake.