Page 45 of The Bratva King's Pregnant Bride

My belly ached, and I felt the usual kicks as the twin lives inside me grew restless. I moved to sit behind the desk to rest until they settled down a bit.

My gaze moved to a not-quite-closed drawer, and my hand reached forward and pulled it open.

It was filled with old files, all of which appeared to be work related.

I was about to close the drawer when my eyes landed on a file—or, more importantly, the name on the file—and my breath caught as I hesitated.

I pulled the file to be sure of what I was seeing. Setting it on the desk, I ran my finger smoothly over the lettering, as if trying to familiarize myself with his name again.

I flipped the first page open, only to see a picture of my brother. What is Michael’s file doing in Dominik’s study?

I turned another page and started reading, and my jaw dropped with what I found.

Chapter 19 - Dominik

So much to do, I thought as my eyes scanned the files on the table before me, glancing at the documents on my laptop occasionally. I never leave work to pile up like this. I could have someone else handle it, but when it came to cross-checking financial accounts and deliveries, well… I barely trusted anyone with that.

Was it hectic? Yes. Did it require excessive amounts of brain power? Absolutely. Which is why, in such endeavors, solitude was my friend; in these moments, my men and the maids did well not to disturb my progress with work, leaving me in peace.

Engrossed with work, I heard a muffled voice outside my door but chose to ignore it. It’s probably nothing. Perhaps something needed sorting out—hence, the commotion outside my door.

Everything’s fine, I assured myself.

Silence ensued—but not for long.

The office door opened, and I shut my eyes for a moment, wondering who would be so bold. Who, really, would dare to barge into my office without my say-so?

Ready to give the unfortunate fellow the harshest reprimand of his life, a punishment laced with pain, I opened my weary eyes to see Maya making her way towards me, a strange glint in her eyes.

The nerve! She knew my reputation, yet whatever fear she’d once felt for me had started to dissipate. I wanted to blame it on the pregnancy and a score of other things. Hormones, perhaps.

But, somehow, I knew this was different. Hers was a knowing look… one demanding explanation.

An emotion graced her face, like anger—no—it was anger, but not the familiar petulant rage I was accustomed to. I hadn’t seen this determined look on her face before, and it was dangerously close to terrifying—troubling, at the least.

However, despite my unease, my eyes fell to her stomach. Why? Why is she so worked up, in her condition? Does she not care for herself or the baby? Something must be very wrong.

I pushed myself up to my feet. “You shouldn’t be getting so excited—it’s not good for the babies.”

Maya strode to the desk and planted her feet, facing me.

“Okay. Clearly you have something on your mind.” I sighed and gestured to the chair across the desk. “Calm down. Have a seat.”

Maya looked at the seat disdainfully, then returned her gaze to me, eyes blazing. “I’m the size of a fucking whale! I’d break the damn chair.” Huffing, she threw a file on the table in front of me.

“What the hell is this?” I asked, my patience wearing thin. However, the file looked familiar, and I suddenly realized what it was.

She had discovered the truth.

“That is my brother.” Maya set a hand on her waist. “What—and, please, be honest—did you have to with his death? I do not want lies.”

I looked at the file, then back to Maya. Sitting, I let out a noisy breath I hadn’t known I’d been holding. Why—and how—does she have the file on her brother’s death from so far back?

I sat, wondering how she’d come across it. It wasn’t my job to explain deaths I’d had no part in. The people I killed disappeared, like they never even existed. But this… How had it come to light?

“What the fuck? Were you in my study?” I gritted my teeth, and she scoffed.

“That isn’t the issue here.” She scowled, throwing her hands up. “Answer my question!”

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