Page 43 of The Arrangement

The words hang heavy between us. I understand the weight of his reminder, the duty that comes with my name, my blood. But the implication that Tory might somehow be a distraction, or worse, a liability, sits uneasily with me.

I nod, the gesture more automatic than agreeable. "I know where my loyalties lie." The words are firm, but internally, I'm wrestling with the notion that my personal happiness could ever be at odds with my obligations to the Bratva.

Father leans back in his chair, his gaze locking onto mine with an authority that's gone unchallenged for decades. "I'll talk to Aleksey," he states. "Make sure he understands—our business, it stays out of sight, especially from Adelina."

I find myself nodding, a silent thank you forming on my lips but never quite making it out. "Keeping that world away from her... it means everything."

He gives a curt nod, the matter settled in his mind, and in this moment, despite the tensions and the looming threats, I'm reminded of the lengths to which he'll go to protect the family.

“Remember, family first.”

As I leave the room, the heaviness of Father's words settles over me. This "probation" is a reminder of the tightrope I walk—balancing my duties to the family with the desires of my heart. Tory has become a central figure in my life, her presence challenging the boundaries I've long adhered to.

Yet, despite the warnings, the constraints, I feel what I have with Tory is worth every risk, every potential fallout. I will protect it with everything I am.

Chapter 22

Tory

As I unzip my weekend bag, the thrill of staying with Maksim and finally getting to spend some real time with Adelina buzzes through me like a live wire. This weekend's not just about fun; it's a sneak peek into Maksim's world, a chance to see how he balances the dad life with... well, whatever else lurks in the shadows of his Bratva ties.

I start with the essentials, tossing in my favorite jeans and a couple of tees that walk the fine line between comfy and form fitting. I pause, my hand hovering over a drawer that's all daring and spice. "Why not?" I muse, pulling out a little black dress that screams trouble and a pair of heels that could kill a man—or at least make one follow me anywhere.

As I pack, my playlist is all upbeat vibes and bass drops, the kind of tunes that make you want to dance around in your underwear. But as I fold a slinky red top—perfect for a night in or a daring dash to the kitchen for midnight snacks—doubt creeps in. I’m getting all wound up for a weekend with a man who, for all his charm and undeniable sex appeal, is wrapped up in a world that could swallow me whole.

"Am I out of my mind?"

The excitement of spending time with Adelina, of being welcomed into their home, is tinged with this undercurrent of fear. What if this is it? The biggest mistake I've ever made, barreling toward me while I'm decked out in lace and optimism?

Shaking off the thought, I zip the bag closed. There's no turning back now, not when every beat of my heart is in sync with the rhythm of taking chances. I glance at the bag, my weekend of contradictions packed tight within, and let out a breath, thinking about my conversation with Ty earlier.

Walking back into the shop after the doc's revelation, Ty’s there, eyebrows raised like he's ready to dissect every inch of my day.

"Spill it, girl. You look like you've seen a ghost... or a positive pregnancy test," he half-jokes, his knack for hitting too close to home making me wince.

The words just start spilling out of me in a torrent—I'm pregnant, caught up in this whirlwind romance with Maksim, and standing at the most bewildering crossroads of my life.

Ty's reaction is immediate and priceless. His eyes widen in shock, his mouth dropping open before it twists into this odd squint, a mix of congratulations and outright concern for my mental health. "You're what? Pregnant?" he finally manages, leaning forward as if the proximity might make the news less bombastic.

"Yeah," I reply, watching his expressions dance from surprise to something akin to delight, then back to skepticism. "With Maksim's baby. It's... a lot."

He blinks, then breaks into a grin that's both elated and a tad incredulous. "Holy shit, Tory! That's—wow, that's huge. But also, Maksim? Mr. Tall, Dark, and Bratva? You two have been busy, huh?"

I can't help but laugh, his blunt characterization of Maksim spot-on yet somehow endearing. "I guess we have. But seriously, I'm freaking out here. What am I supposed to do?"

Ty leans back, adopting a pose that's all mock solemnity, though his eyes are still twinkling with mischief. "Well, first off, congratulations are in order. And second, you're asking the wrong question. It's not what you're supposed to do; it's what you want to do."

I sigh, the reality of the situation settling back in. "I want... I don't know. I want this baby. And Maksim... there's something real there. But his life, his world—it's a lot to take on."

"What are you gonna do, Tor?" he asks, leaning on the counter like we're in some daytime drama. "Maksim's world is no fairy tale. It's like choosing to live in an action movie. With real bullets."

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. "I don't know. It's scary. His life, the dangers... Am I ready to be a part of that? To bring a baby into it?"

Ty lays it out straight. "You gotta tell him. This isn't just your story anymore—it's his too. And babe, you love him. That's worth fighting for, isn't it?"

His words hit, hard and true. Maksim, for all his alpha-ness, his complicated, dangerous life, he's become my heart's epicenter. But this—us plus a baby? I never saw it coming.

"Yeah," I finally answer, conviction stirring amidst the uncertainty. "Yeah, he needs to know. I just... how do you drop a bomb like that? "

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