Page 66 of Cruel Russian Pakhan

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.”