Page 72 of Baby for the Bratva

“You okay?” Chekhov’s voice sounds distant, but when I look up, he’s still right next to me.

I swallow hard, nodding. “I’m fine. I just want to tell you something about Stella. She’s going to be joining our organization officially soon.”

Chekhov laughs for a moment, but his face goes blank when he realizes I’m not laughing with him. “This isn’t a joke?” he asks.

I shake my head. “No, it isn’t. You know how crazy things have gotten. I’ve been planning on a way out, maybe even a fresh start to the way business is conducted. We’re going to have to be more careful this way, since the American authorities are less willing to turn a blind eye to corruption, but?—”

“You’re moving to the States?” he blurts.

“More than that, man. I’m pursuing residency. It’s not going to be that easy, but once Stella and I are married, we’ll let the lawyers handle the rest,” I explain.

“Marriage?!” The heart rate monitor beeps even faster, and I’m concerned that Chekhov’s weakened body isn’t going to be able to handle the news. I shouldn’t have told him so early. I just wanted him to know we had a way out of this that didn’t involve getting wrapped up in Brazilian politics.

“You need to relax,” I warn. “Stop getting so worked up.”

“You said you’re getting married. What the hell happened while I was floating around in the ocean?” His eyes are wide, but it’s not worry I see in them. It’s excitement.

“Before you ask, yes, you’ll be Best Man at the wedding.”

He laughs, pumping his fist weakly. “Hell yes.”

“But I just want you to know that this is a business arrangement. I’m paying Stella to do it, so there’s nothing romantic going on.”

He gives me a look like he doesn’t believe a word I’m saying.

“What? It’s true. I paid her to do this.”

“And you want to tell me you’re not madly in love with her? Yuri, respectfully, I know you’re lying. I’ve seen the way you look at her.”

A tingle of emotions climbs up my legs, putting warmth in my stomach that makes me a bit nauseous. I rub the back of my neck, trying to hide my face from him as I speak. “It’s just business. Nothing more.”

“Seriously? I really don’t think it is. If that were the case, you could marry anyone.”

I grit my teeth, trying to push down the sickening swirl of regret and yearning. I can’t let anyone know how much I feel for Stella. I can’t allow the world to realize that all it takes to bring a Bratva boss to his knees is a woman.

I can’t admit that I’m falling in love.

“Business only,” I grumble, getting up from my chair. “Remember that, and don’t forget it. I’ll see you again once you’ve had some rest.”

34

Stella

Yuri doesn’t come back in the morning. I’m worried, but I wait for him, knowing he wouldn’t abandon me on a cruise ship by myself.

By mid-afternoon, I’m starting to get anxious, but with Dima waiting outside the room, there’s nothing I can do but watch TV and replay what happened last night in my head.

The way he touched me was too real. There was a truth in his kiss that I’ve never experienced before, a promise that his feelings for me are real.

I already know I’m crazy about him. Love isn’t something you can predict or control, and it’s come like a whirlwind into my life, paired with the most unlikely person to bring it my way.

Yuri is, and always will be, the most dangerous man I could choose. Accepting his marriage proposal only puts me closer to that danger, but I don’t see any other way to go about this. I’m already involved, and the money would ensure I’d never have to work another day in my life.

Sometimes, the risk is worth the reward.

I place my hand on my belly, wondering if the risk we took by not using a condom for a second time will be worth whatever comes as a result.

It feels like everything I’ve done to start enjoying life has only dug me into a deeper hole than before, but I don’t feel the same about a possible pregnancy. For some reason, it feels… normal? Good? Wanted?

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