Page 15

The Phoenix Brotherhood, a Latin American gang with a reputation for violence and ruthlessness, had threatened the Bratva. Their leader, Alejandro De la Cruz, was a man whose name was whispered with fear and respect—a man known for his cruelty and willingness to do whatever it took to achieve his goals.

De la Cruz was a cunning man, always looking for ways to outsmart everyone in the room. Although he'd never tried anything funny with the Tarasov Bratva, I knew he'd had his eyes on us for a while now.

The man had a reputation built on the foundation of brutal violence, with stories of his victims being tortured, mutilated, and left for dead.

I, for one, had never taken him seriously. Alejandro De la Cruz was a man desperate to prove to the entire crime syndicate that he was a force to be reckoned with. He was trying to look tough, to seem tough; meanwhile, underneath, he was just a lonely man seeking attention.

I knew he was a determined piece of shit who'd willingly go to any length to get what he wanted. However, I didn't think he was stupid enough to threaten me. In his desperate quest for power, he had targeted the Tarasov Bratva because he figured if he took us down, then every other gang would take him seriously.

I knew he was stupid. I just didn't know he was this stupid.

De la Cruz had been working with one of mine—the asshole, Fredrick, I’d put away about a month ago. Turned out Fredrick had sold some sensitive information to De la Cruz: the Bratva's operation, our financial dealings, security protocol, and even the identities and addresses of some of our top members.

In his mind, De la Cruz thought he had the upper hand here because he had a few “sensitive” details about us.

The threat was that Alejandro De la Cruz was going to bring our organization crumbling down to the ground around our ears. His exact words were, “Tell your boss, Alexei, that I will burn his little empire to the ground and make him watch as I take everything away from him.”

He'd passed the message across to Gordey, and it was successfully relayed to me. I wasn’t even the least bothered by it because I knew he was just making noise—like a cat looking for someone to play his game.

De la Cruz and his empty threats would have to wait. For now, I had a more pressing situation on my hands—an issue of concern that I needed to address.

My wife had been in the bathroom for almost an hour, and that was weird because she wouldn't normally take that long. I'd known something was up since I dropped by to pick her up at the restaurant.

I'd deliberately refused to address the fact that she left the house without my consent. She was expecting me to say something about it, but I didn't—that way, she'd be confused, unable to predict my next move.

Alexandra had informed me the moment she left the house, and I had her phone tracked. At first, I was pissed, but when I realized she was meeting up with her friend at a nearby restaurant, I let my guard down.

She wasn't a prisoner, anyway.

But that was beside the point. Lorena had requested we stop by a pharmacy so she could get some “girl stuff.” She wouldn't tell me what it was, and after she bought it and returned to the car, she still didn't let me know what it was.

I could've asked or forced her to tell me—and maybe she was even expecting me to do just but—again, I decided to let it slide.

That was yesterday, and she hadn't been herself ever since. She'd been more withdrawn and quieter, uninterested in getting on my nerves or starting unnecessary banter. She wasn't displaying her arrogance, nor was she being rude the slightest chance she got. She was just quiet—brooding.

Was she sick? Was she dying? What, exactly, was eating away at her, draining the venom from her sharp tongue?

Whatever it was, it had to be serious, considering it was consuming her silently.

My phone buzzed on the bedside table, and I stretched, reaching for it. My eyes fell on the lit screen, indicating an incoming call from Gordey.

About time.

I'd instructed him to go find out from the pharmacy what my wife had come to purchase yesterday. Or, if she ran a test, what exactly she was tested for. The Bratva had ways to get information from people without causing a scene, and Gordey was a master at stuff like this.

Lorena was my wife, and I had every right to know what was going on in her life. She was mine—so were all her problems and concerns.

I answered the phone, clasping it to my ear.

“Boss.” His thick voice came through from the other side.

“Talk to me,” I said, sitting up on the bed, my feet on the cold marble floor.

“I went to the pharmacy as you instructed and got a copy of her receipt,” he said, pausing for a moment like his next words would be heavy.

My breath caught in my throat, irritated by his hesitation to spill the beans. “And?” I demanded, my voice laced with impatience.

“She bought a pregnancy test strip, Boss,” he answered.

My brows shot up at this unexpected revelation. A pregnancy test strip? Why? Was she pregnant already?

Clearly, she'd used the strip in the bathroom, and it most likely turned out positive, hence the reason she was still in there.

I hung up the phone and rose to my feet, gliding over to the bathroom, eager to know the outcome of the test. If she was pregnant, indeed, then that would mean I was about to be a father.

Me? A father?

I hadn't given it much thought before, but I needed to be sure first, so I knocked on the door. “Lorena, are you okay in there?” I asked, a hint of concern creeping into my voice.

No response.

“Lorena,” I called again, knocking with slightly narrowing eyes.

No response.

“Alright, I'm coming in,” I announced, grabbing the doorknob.

I twisted and pushed it open, my gaze settling on her as she stood, leaning against the wall, sobbing with her palms over her face. My eyes darted to the strip lying in the ceramic sink as I stepped inside, my feet soundless against the floor.

I picked up the strip, observing the double lines marked on it—an indication of the life in her womb. An abrupt scoff escaped my lips as a mix of emotions rushed through me at the realization that she was truly carrying my child.

This was a game-changer for both of us. It was unexpected, but here it was.

She lowered her hands and jerked her head to face me. Her eyes were red, puffy, and swollen with dark circles under them. Her nose was pink, her eyelids were inflamed, and her lashes clumped together.

Lorena stared at me and sniffled, her voice hoarse and shaky. “We're having a baby, Alexei.”

“I can see that,” I replied, calm and collected, as I set the strip on the countertop. “But why the tears? Do you not want to be a mother?” I drew nearer to her.

“Of course, I do!” Her voice rose in exasperation. “I really do, but….” Her lips trembled as she seemed to choke on her words. “Not this soon.” She swallowed hard, her throat wobbling as tears streamed down her cheeks. “I'm scared.”

My face softened slightly at her vulnerability, as her confession, her tears, and the fear in her eyes melted my stone-cold heart.

She continued, “I'm not even responsible enough to take care of myself, let alone a baby.” Lorena blew her nose into a tissue, her shoulders shaking as she struggled to control herself. “I'm afraid I'll be a bad mother.”

“You won't,” I said, closing the distance between us. My hand gently rested on her belly.

She held her breath as I touched her stomach, her eyes rising to meet mine. I stared at her, fingers combing through her hair. “There's no need to be afraid, Lorena,” I said, my voice calm and reassuring. “You're not alone,” I whispered, still holding her gaze.

Her chest heaved slowly. She let out a sigh as though my words had blown across her face like a wind of relief.

I added, eyes dropping to her belly, “This child is my legacy…your happiness.” The slight pause came when I returned my eyes to hers.

Her lips parted into a faint grin—almost undetected—and her gaze locked on mine. I could sense her anxiety slowly dissipating, a testament that somehow, my words were soothing and also had calmed her nerves.

I mirrored her smile, pulling her close, my arms around her waist. Lorena exhaled sharply and melted into my warm embrace, her head resting on my chest.