Page 132 of Sweet Deception

The school we attended wasn’t like regular schools. It was created decades ago by mafia men who didn’t want their children mixing with outsiders. Every son and daughter of the Bratva was sent there.

While we learned the usual subjects, math, history, science, we were also taught how to shoot, how to kill, how to extract a beating heart. We memorized the consequences of betrayal, the mechanics of smuggling, the coded language for drugs, trafficking, and territory control.

Misha, Jasper, and I were inseparable back then. But eight years ago, we each went our own way.

I took over my parents’ cartel and ruled Moscow.

Misha took Yakutsk, the coldest city in Russia. He spent most of his time in Moscow, though, visiting his dying father, who refused to leave the city where his wife was buried.

Jasper ruled over Saint Petersburg, the second-largest city in Russia. Our forefathers had signed an agreement to keep peace between our cartels, so we never had any reason to cross paths in conflict.

That’s why, when my shipments were attacked, I didn’t react in blind rage. I knew something wasn’t right.

Thank God I know how to control my anger.

Misha smirked and leaned back. “Enough about me, Gleb. It’s not like you’re innocent. Didn’t you torch your deal with the Italians over some bastard groping your wife?”

I frowned. “Where did you hear that?”

“Unlike you, I keep track of everything happening in the underworld. I doubt you even know if Jasper is alive or dead.”

“We got a supply from him eight months ago when my supplier had a setback. So yeah, he’s alive.”

Misha grinned. “We should pay him a visit. You know... rekindle an old flame.”

“That wouldn’t be a bad idea. I’ll let you know when I’m free.”

He stood, walked to the bar, and poured us both whiskey.

After taking a sip, he turned to me. “I thought the whole point of your marriage was to make babies.”

I exhaled slowly. “Yeah. But once she gives birth, my grandmother will send the baby to the Italians. In return, she gets back my mother’s multimillion-dollar asset and the opportunity to kill five prominent members of their cartel. She thinks I don’t know.”

Misha didn’t even blink. “So you’ve been stalling on purpose.”

I nodded. “Until I find a better way to fix this mess and finally end the war between our families.”

“But Anna doesn’t know, does she?”

“No. She’s frustrated I haven’t touched her. But do you think she’d still be asking for it if she knew that as soon as she has our child, they’ll take it from her?”

Misha’s gaze darkened. “They’ll take the baby... and then what?”

“They’ll kill her.”

He stiffened.

“Her family had only been acting nice to her because they need an heir. The second she delivers, preferably a male child, they’ll have no use for her anymore.”

Misha exhaled. “I know you won’t let that happen.”

I met his gaze. “I will protect her with my life.”

A smirk tugged at his lips. “Damn. When did you turn into such a devoted husband?”

“She’s everything to me now,” I admitted.

Misha swirled his whiskey. “She’s got that innocent look. Untouched.”