Page 34 of Dark Prince

“Thanks, Lily,” I manage to say, my voice thick. “I just need to figure all of this out. I have to figure out how to shield this baby from what’s coming.”

She squeezes my hand, her grip solid and sure. “You will. You're made of tough stuff. And you're not alone in this.”

Lily's assurance is a spark in the dark, kindling that fire in me that had been smothered by fear and uncertainty. As we walk back toward the mansion, I know what I have to do. My family's secrets, Sharon's dealings… it’s time to pull back the curtain, and I need Lily's help to do it.

That afternoon, we find a quiet nook in the house to hide in, a secluded corner that feels miles away from the chaos. Daylight streams through the windows, casting patterns on the floor, a reminder that life, with all its complexities, still moves forward.

“Lily,” I tell her in a whisper, “I need to dig into my stepmother’s activities. There's something she's not telling me, something that could be the key to all this madness.”

Lily's eyebrows shoot up, but she nods, her usual warmth tempered with seriousness. “You think she's involved in the attempts on your life?”

“I honestly don't know,” I admit, feeling the weight of my suspicions. But I can't shake the feeling that she knows more than she's letting on. Luk's way of handling things is direct and powerful, but this needs a subtler touch. I don't want to start an all-out war without knowing what we're walking into.”

Lily leans in, her eyes sharp. “How can I help? You know I'm with you every step of the way.”

A smile tugs at the corners of my mouth. I am so grateful for her unwavering support. “First, I need to get my hands on any financial records and communications, including emails and phone calls, anything that might give us a clue to what she's been up to. I'm thinking of starting with the business dealings. There have to be traces somewhere.”

“Smart,” Lily nods, her mind already ticking over the possibilities. “I can start poking around—discreetly, of course. I’ll bet there are people in the family who aren’t as loyal to Sharon as she thinks they are. That could be a way in.”

“And,” I continue, the plan crystallizing with each word, “we need to do this without alerting Luk. At least not yet. He'd go in, guns blazing, and that's the last thing we need right now.”

Lily's agreement is immediate. “Understood. We'll keep it quiet, just between the two of us. Luk's got enough on his plate, and the last thing he needs is to worry about internal family drama.”

As we map out our strategy, I can’t help but feel both excitement and dread. The path ahead is fraught with danger, but the need to protect my family, to protect the little life growing inside me, outweighs any fear.

“Thanks, Lil,” I say, feeling a surge of affection for the woman who's become more than just staff, more than just a friend. She’s become like family to me. “I don't know what I'd do without you.”

She squeezes my hand, a gesture of solidarity. “You'd do just fine. But the good news is you don't have to. We're in this together.”

Chapter 20

Luk

Walking through Bridgeport feels like stepping into another world that's far removed from the high-stakes drama of our lives. The neighborhood's got an old-school, lived-in vibe, with brick houses standing shoulder to shoulder like aging soldiers. There's a sense of community here that's strong and obvious, even to someone like me, who's more accustomed to the cutthroat dynamics of the Bratva.

Lev breaks the silence, his voice cutting through the city's hum. “You know, brother, I've noticed something different about you lately.”

I shoot him a glare, the kind that would send most men scurrying. “Don't start, Lev. We're not here to talk about my personal life.”

But Lev just smirks, undeterred by my warning. “Come on. It's written all over your face. You're head over heels for her. When's the last time you looked at anyone the way you look at Maura?”

I grumble, knowing that he's not entirely wrong. “It's not like that. We're just... it's complicated, all right?”

Lev laughs, a sound that's both annoying and somehow comforting. It’s a brother thing, I suppose. “Complicated,” he says. “Luk, everything’s complicated when it comes to love. But in a good way. You're in it, deep. Looks good on you.”

I shake my head, trying to steer the conversation away from dangerous waters. “Focus, Lev. We're here for a reason. Maura's safety is our top priority.”

He nods, but I can tell he's not ready to let it go. “All right. But just remember, brother, love makes us stronger, not weaker. Maura's making you a better man.”

I don't have a comeback for that, mainly because part of me knows he's right. Maura has changed me in ways I'm still trying to understand myself. But right now, there are bigger issues at hand.

“We'll talk about this later,” I finally concede, knowing full well that later means never if I can help it. “Right now, we need to figure out who it is that's after her and why.”

Lev nods, a sign that he's willing to drop the subject for now. “Agreed, but so that you know, we're all rooting for you two. Maura's one of us now.”

We step into O'Malley's, a corner tavern that wears its Irish heritage like a badge of honor. The dark wood paneling, stained glass windows depicting Celtic knots, and the ever-present aroma of stout and whiskey create an inviting and unmistakably Irish ambiance. A few heads turn as we make our entrance. We’re recognized either by reputation or by the fact that we stand out like sore thumbs.

Without missing a beat, we slide into a booth, and I signal the bartender for a round of Guinness. The foam-topped dark stouts arrive quickly. I take a moment to survey the room, noting the tattoos adorning the arms of several patrons—a few of them Irish mob insignias. It's clear we've found the hangout of the neighborhood's underworld.

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