Page 82 of Twisted Pact

The admission feels strange coming from my mouth, like saying the words makes it more real than Dr. Orlov’s examination did. More permanent than the shocked look on Mila’s face when I suggested we get married.

“Jesus Christ, Alexei. Do you have any idea what this means for the family? For our alliance negotiations? For your future with her?”

The rapid-fire questions flare irritation in my chest. Dmitri’s mind went to political implications. Not once did he ask how I feel about becoming a father or whether this is something I wanted.

“It means I’m going to be a father.”

“You’re thinking with your chest, not your head. This is political, not personal. Your attachment makes you a target.”

He pauses. “You need to be prepared for that.”

I resume pacing, wearing a path in the carpet between my desk and the wall. Each step feels like a small release of pressure.

“When’s the last time you made a decision that didn’t factor in her safety first?”

The question detonates between us because we both know the answer. Every choice I’ve made since the restaurant incident has prioritized Mila’s protection over broader family interests. Every resource allocation, security protocol, and strategic decision.

“That’s what I thought,” Dmitri continues when I don’t respond. “You’re no longer thinking like a leader. You’re thinking like a man in love, and that makes both families vulnerable if you don’t at least acknowledge it and pivot.”

The word “love” twists something in my gut. He’s right, even though neither of us has said it out loud. What I feel for Mila has moved far beyond physical attraction. It’s become something that influences every aspect of how I approach leadership.

“Both families benefit from this alliance,” I point out.

“Both families benefit from rational leadership, not from decisions made to protect one person at the expense of everyone else.”

“I’m not sacrificing anyone.”

But even as I say it, I know that’s not true. I am sacrificing objectivity, strategic flexibility, and the ability to makedecisions based on organizational benefit rather than personal attachment.

My phone beeps before I can respond, cutting through our argument with an electronic intrusion that feels almost welcome. Boris is on the other end, calling with what I assume is the intelligence update I requested earlier.

“We’ll finish this later,” I tell Dmitri before answering the other call.

“Intelligence reports are ready,” Boris says. “Multiple families have learned about the pregnancy through their networks.”

The temperature in the room drops several degrees despite the climate control. This is faster than I anticipated.

“How?”

I sink into my chair and reach for a pen, needing something to do with my hands while processing what this means for every security protocol we’ve established.

“Medical records. Surveillance of Dr. Orlov’s movements. Electronic intercepts of our communications. Information like this doesn’t stay contained.”

Of course, it doesn’t. Privacy is an illusion in criminal organizations, where information equals power and leverage equals survival.

“Which families?”

He starts listing them as I take notes, writing down names and drawing connections between organizations that normally compete. The fact that they’re sharing intelligence suggests coordination that goes beyond normal business relationships.

“Their response?”

“Coordinated planning sessions. Resource sharing. They’re treating this as an opportunity to exploit what they perceive as your weakness.”

The word “weakness” makes me jam my pen harder against the paper, nearly tearing through to the desk beneath. These bastards think my feelings for Mila make me vulnerable to manipulation and control.

“They think attacking Dmitri’s wife would guarantee their destruction,” Boris continues. “But your relationship with Mila is different. You’re not married yet. She’s not family. They believe they can target her to send a message without signing their own death warrants.”

The casual way he describes their logic makes rage build in my chest. These families think they can determine acceptable levels of violence against the woman carrying my child.