Page 3 of Pregnant By the Bratva

This meeting wasn’t planned, but when someone decides to steal from the Bratva, we don’t wait around. We act.

I lean forward, resting my elbows on the table, my gaze narrowing on Maxim, my closest friend and the one I trust with my life. If anyone can get to the bottom of this, it’s him. The tension in the room thickens as everyone waits for what he has to say.

“Did you find out anything?” My voice cuts through the silence, sharp and demanding. There’s no room for hesitation here.

Maxim’s dark eyes meet mine, his expression as serious as ever. “We’ve traced the source of the breach to New York,” he begins, his tone measured but edged with the frustration I know he’s feeling. “We haven’t been able to pinpoint the exact individual responsible. Whoever did this, covered their trackswell. It’s not just a simple hacker—it’s someone who knows what they’re doing.”

My jaw tightens, frustration simmering just beneath the surface. “New York.” I don’t need to say more. The Prestons. The name hangs in the air unspoken, but it’s on everyone’s mind.

Kirill leans back in his chair, his green eyes narrowing in thought. He doesn’t speak, but I can sense the anger rolling off him in waves. Our rivalry with the Prestons is no secret. We’ve been chipping away at their empire, taking their clients, their power, leaving them with scraps. This move? It reeks of desperation, and that’s dangerous.

“It makes sense,” Maxim says. “We’ve been putting pressure on the Prestons, taking away their biggest clients. They’re losing money, losing face. This could be their way of hitting back.”

“They’re desperate,” Kirill finally says, his voice low and laced with barely concealed fury. “Desperate men do stupid things.”

Violet reaches over, resting her hand on his arm. It’s a small gesture, but it’s enough to keep him from spiraling. Kirill has always been the more volatile one, driven by a need for revenge that never fully left him after our mother’s death. I see that fire in his eyes now, the same fire that’s fueled him for decades.

“We need to move carefully,” I say, shifting my gaze back to Maxim. “If we strike too soon, without all the information, we could miss the real target. We can’t afford that. Not now.”

Maxim nods, his expression hardening with determination. “I’ll keep digging. There’s a trail, faint as it is. If they slipped up even once, we’ll find it.”

“I want eyes everywhere,” I continue, my voice cold. “New York, our clients, the Prestons’ operations—nothing is off-limits. If they think they can steal from us and walk away unscathed, they’re in for a rude awakening.”

There’s a murmur of agreement around the table, but I know better than to let my guard down. The Prestons are cunning, and they’ve survived this long for a reason. This is just the beginning of their retaliation, and we need to be ready for whatever comes next.

The meeting continues, but my mind drifts to the bigger picture. This isn’t just about money—it’s about power, about respect. The Prestons think they can claw their way back to the top by attacking us where it hurts. I’ll make sure they regret that decision.

The thought of Sophia Preston crosses my mind briefly. I’ve never met the girl, but I know of her—Kace’s precious daughter. The rumors say she’s as innocent as they come, untouched by the darkness her father revels in. A weak spot, perhaps? Or maybe just another pawn in this deadly game.

My gaze flicks to Kirill, who’s back to discussing logistics with Maxim. His focus is razor-sharp, his demeanor as ruthless as ever. There’s a bond between us that runs deeper than blood, forged in the fires of our shared past. We understand each other in ways no one else can, and I know that when the time comes, he’ll be ready to do whatever it takes.

Maxim leans in slightly, lowering his voice as he continues to speak with Kirill. “We need to hit them where it hurts, but strategically. The moment we find the crack in their defenses, we move.”

Kirill nods, his expression grim. “We will. When we do, they won’t see it coming.”

The meeting drags on, voices swirling around me as plans and strategies are tossed back and forth. I keep my gaze on the table, my mind elsewhere. The Prestons think they can steal from us and walk away. That’s the problem with them—they always think too small, too much about money, as if that’s all that matters. They don’t realize that this world is built on more than just cash. It’s about power, fear, respect.

I glance at Kirill, his eyes burning with barely contained anger. He leans toward Maxim, his voice low but firm. “We need to hit back. Hard. They took our money, our clients. We can’t let them get away with this.”

Maxim nods, his expression grim. “I agree. We need to be smart about it. If we strike now, without knowing who exactly we’re dealing with, we might just be playing into their hands.”

Kirill grits his teeth, frustration clear in his posture. “Smart? They weren’t smart when they took from us. They were bold, reckless. We should show them what real recklessness looks like.”

Violet places a calming hand on Kirill’s arm again, her voice soothing. “We will, Kirill.Ivan’s right—we need all the information first. Once we know who’s behind this, we can make sure they pay.”

Kirill’s eyes flash, but he doesn’t argue. Instead, he turns to me. “What’s the plan, Ivan? We can’t just sit here and do nothing.”

I take a deep breath, keeping my voice steady. “We won’t. Maxim, you’ll keep digging. I want to know who did this, down to the smallest detail. I don’t just want to retaliate—I want to destroy them.”

Maxim nods, his dark eyes meeting mine. “I’m on it. There’s a trail, faint as it is. We’ll find it.”

Kirill shifts in his seat, restless. “When we do?”

I lean forward, my gaze hard as steel. “We make them regret it. This isn’t just about taking back what’s ours—it’s about sending a message. The Prestons think they can play with us like this, that they can steal and walk away. We’re going to show them just how wrong they are.”

Kirill smirks, a dangerous glint in his eye. “Good. They’ve gotten too comfortable, thinking they’re untouchable. It’s time we remind them who really holds the power.”

Artem, standing near the door, chimes in, his voice deep and steady. “Do we start with their businesses? Take them down, one by one?”

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