Page 39 of Arranged Mafia Marriage

“What are you going to do?” she asks.

I frown, considering. “I have to go to the general meeting either way. It’s expected. If I don’t show up, it’ll be seen as a sign of weakness.”

She seems concerned. “But what if it’s a trap?”

“I’ll deal with it,” I say, my voice hard.

She shakes her head. “No.We’lldeal with it. I’m coming with you.”

I sit up straighter, ready to argue. “Absolutely not. It’s too dangerous.”

“I’m your wife, Kiril. Where you go, I go. Especially into danger.”

We lock gazes, neither of us willing to back down. I can see her determination in the stubborn set of her jaw. It’s one of the things I admire about her, but right now, it’s infuriating. “Felicity, be reasonable.” I try to keep my voice calm. “You’re pregnant. I can’t risk you or our child.”

Her hand moves to her stomach, still flat but carrying our future. “All the more reason for me to be there. You think I’m going to let you walk into a potential trap alone? If you’re alone,I’m alone. He might target me while you’re gone. We’re safer together.”

I stand up, moving around the desk to take her hands in mine. “I won’t be alone. Viktor and the others will be with me.”

She pulls her hands away. “And what if something happens to all of you? What then? I’ll be left here, not knowing if you’re alive or dead.”

The fear in her eyes is barely masked by her anger. I reach for her again, and this time, she lets me pull her close. “Nothing’s going to happen to me,” I murmur into her hair.

She pushes back, looking up at me. “You can’t promise that, but you can promise to let me come with you.”

I shake my head. “Felicity...”

“No, Kiril. I’m not asking. I’m telling. I’m coming with you to Atlantic City.”

I stare at her, seeing her resolve. I know that look. It’s the same one she wore when she insisted on being involved in our operations, and when she demanded to be trained in combat. It’s the look that says she won’t back down, no matter what I say.

I let out a sound of irritation, knowing I’ve lost this battle. “Fine,” I say.

Felicity smiles, victorious. She arches her neck and kisses me. “Thank you for not making me sneak into your luggage.”

I chuckle despite myself. “As if you could fit.”

She swats my arm playfully. “Hey, I’m not that big yet.”

I pull her close again, my hand resting on her stomach, which shows no external sign of our child, except for being slightly firmer. “Not yet, but soon.”

She rests her head on my chest. We stand like that for a moment, savoring the quiet before the storm we both know is coming. “When do we leave?” she asks.

“Next week.”

Felicity nods. “I’ll be ready.”

As she turns to leave, I catch her arm. “Promise me you’ll be careful. No unnecessary risks.”

She looks at me and nods. “I promise. As long as you do the same.”

I nod, and she leaves the room. I turn back to my desk, mind racing with preparations. This poker game could change everything. I need to be ready for whatever Damiano has planned, and now I have to keep an extra eye on Felicity. In spite of the risk, part of me is glad she’s insisting on coming along. She’s right that we’re stronger together even if it’s just on an emotional level.

18

Kiril

As the days crawl by, the Atlantic City trip looms ahead, but right now, I have more pressing concerns. I came home early to surprise Felicity, but she’s nowhere to be found. Again.

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