Page 48 of The Mafia's Septuplets
I hesitate before admitting, “Not entirely, but the economy was terrible a few years ago. He was going to lose the shop and couldn’t stand that. He and I had been friends for years, ever since he made my first suit for me, so when I offered an…unconventional partnership, he agreed. It was lack of options, not because he wanted to be involved in my world.”
“I assumed that was the case. I wish he’d told me then, but what’s done is done.” Her pragmatic acceptance surprises me. “Now tell me about Mikhail’s current operations.” She reopens her laptop, preparing to take notes. “What kind of operations is he running against you?”
“Intelligence suggests he’s been consolidating smaller crews in Atlanta and Miami for the past six months. He’s offering better terms than established families, building loyalty through financial incentives rather than fear.” I move to the window where guards maintain their patrol routes. “He’s also been probing our operations systematically.”
She stops typing. “What kind of probing?”
“Testing response times, identifying security vulnerabilities, and learning our operational patterns.” The systematic nature of his approach concerns me more than random violence would. “He’s preparing for something more ambitious than harassment.”
“Like what?”
I hesitate before saying, “Kidnapping attempts, or maybe major attacks on our businesses. He’ll employ violence designed to force me into emotional rather than strategic decisions.”
She saves her notes. “What would emotional decisions look like?”
“Abandoning careful planning in favor of direct action. Exposing myself to unnecessary risks because I’m focused on protecting you rather than thinking clearly.” We both understand that Mikhail’s strategy depends on my feelings for her, making those feelings both a strength and a vulnerability.
“Lov…being with me makes you weaker.” Her voice carries no judgment, just acceptance.
“Maybe, but it also gives me something to lose. That changes every decision I make.”
She starts typing again. “We need to make sure being with me also makes you smarter. What do you need from me?” she asks after reviewing her notes.
The question catches me off guard. “What do you mean?”
“How can I help? I understand the business now. I understand the threat. What can I do besides sit here feeling sorry for myself?”
Her willingness to engage constructively rather than demanding impossible guarantees makes my chest tighten with something that might be pride. “You could help by being patient with security restrictions while we develop better intelligence.”
“I can do that.” She stands and moves around the desk. “What else?”
“Take better care of yourself. The breathing problems worry me, and stress isn’t good for the babies.”
She reaches out and touches my face, fingers gentle against my jaw. “I can do that too, especially if I feel like I’m contributing to solutions instead of just being protected from problems.”
The simple contact sends warmth through me. “Are you feeling better about staying here?”
“I’m feeling better about being here with you.” She leans down and kisses me softly. “Partnership works better than imprisonment.”
Later that evening,I meet Timur at Czar’s Table. He’s already waiting in our usual corner booth, his expression thoughtful rather than concerned.
“How is Willa adjusting to life at the estate?” He orders his usual vodka while I settle across from him.
“Better now that I’ve started treating her like a partner rather than a prisoner.” I order my scotch and consider how much to reveal. “She was becoming increasingly unhappy with the security restrictions.”
“Understandable. Intelligent women don’t respond well to being managed like assets.” He studies my face carefully. “What changed?”
“I started sharing operational information with her. Business details, intelligence about Mikhail’s activities, and strategic planning.” The server brings our drinks, and I take a small sip. “She wanted to understand the situation rather than just accept protection passively.”
Timur raises an eyebrow. “You’re comfortable with that level of disclosure?”
“She’s already a target because of her relationship with me and the babies she’s carrying. Knowledge won’t make her more vulnerable, but it might help her make better decisions. However, I did sanitize some of it. There are details she never needs to know.”
“Da.” He leans back, considering this development. “Still, involving her in operational planning means accepting she’s no longer a civilian. She becomes a full participant with complete knowledge of the risks.”
The distinction matters more than I want to admit. Protecting someone who doesn’t understand the dangers is different from protecting a partner who chooses to accept those dangers in exchange for agency. “She’s carrying seven of my children and owns seventy-five percent of a business that launders significant money through Charleston. She was never really a civilian.”
“Fair point.” He finishes his vodka and signals for another. “How is she handling the information?”