Page 68 of Cruel Russian Pakhan

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 hishappylittle 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.

Chapter 22 - Katya

Pregnant.

I was pregnant with Lev’s child.