Page 6 of Pregnant By the Bratva

It’s hard to say no when she’s looking at me like that, her brown eyes filled with warmth and excitement. The truth is, I’ve been running on adrenaline for so long that the thought of stepping back, even just for a little while, sounds like heaven. “I’m in,” I say, my grin widening. “Why would I miss a fun time?”

Sophia’s smile brightens, and she gives my hand a quick squeeze. “Great! It’ll be just like old times, back when we used to sneak out and have adventures.”

“Except this time, we won’t have to sneak,” I point out, chuckling. The memories of those nights—of slipping away from the estate, of feeling free even if just for a few hours—are some of the best I have. They were my first taste of real freedom, of a life that wasn’t dictated by necessity or survival.

“True,” she agrees, her eyes dancing with mischief. “That doesn’t mean we won’t find a little trouble along the way.”

“Wouldn’t be us if we didn’t,” I reply, the banter easing some of the tension I hadn’t realized I was carrying.

We reach the steps of the estate, and I pause, glancing over at the black SUVs still parked in strategic locations around the property. “Your dad’s really worried, huh?”

Sophia follows my gaze, her expression softening. “Yeah, he is. He doesn’t show it much, but I can tell. He hates that things have gotten so out of control with the Sharovs. This isn’t what he wanted.”

I nod, understanding more than I let on. Kace Preston is a man who controls his world with an iron fist, and the idea that someone else is pulling the strings, even just a little, must be infuriating for him. “Well, you’ll be safe in Vancouver. I’ll make sure of it.”

Sophia gives me a grateful smile. “Thanks, Sarah. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“You won’t have to find out,” I say, echoing her earlier words. It’s a promise, one I intend to keep. No matter what happens, I’ll be there for her, just like she’s been there for me.

As we head inside, I can’t help but think about how much things have changed. When I first met Sophia, I never imagined our lives would become so intertwined.

Back then, I was just a desperate girl trying to make enough money to save her brother. Now, Luke is off in another country, studying and building a future I never had the chance to dream about. I’d give anything to be with him, to see him thriving, but this is where I’m needed. Here, with Sophia.

She’s more than just a friend. She’s my anchor, the one person who sees me for who I really am, not just the role I play. If Kace wants her safe in Vancouver, then that’s where I’ll be. Besides, a change of scenery might be exactly what I need to clear my head, to shake off the lingering guilt from what I helped Kace do.

As we walk through the grand hallways of the Preston estate, Sophia chatters on about her plans for Vancouver—places she wants to visit, things she wants to do. I listen, smiling at her excitement, but part of me can’t shake the unease that’s settled in my chest. Leaving New York might be the smart move, but I can’t help feeling like we’re running from something that’s only just beginning.

“Don’t worry,” Sophia says, nudging me with her elbow as if sensing my thoughts. “It’ll be good for us, you’ll see. A fresh start, even if just for a little while.”

I nod, forcing a smile. “Yeah. A fresh start.”

Deep down, I know that no matter where we go, the shadows of our lives will follow us. The Bratva, the money, the lies—they’re all still there, lurking just beneath the surface. Vancouver might be an escape for Sophia, but for me, it’s just another part of the game. I’ll keep playing, for as long as it takes.

Chapter Three

Ivan

The heavy oak door to my office creaks open, and Maxim steps in, his expression tense, his eyes sharp with the frustration he’s been carrying since we first discovered the breach. I don’t need to ask him to speak; I can tell by the set of his jaw and the way he holds himself that the news isn’t good.

I lean back in my chair, steepling my fingers as I watch him approach. “Any progress?” I ask, keeping my tone calm, controlled.

Maxim shakes his head, irritation clear in the way he grits his teeth. “Nothing. Whoever this hacker is, they’re damn good. We’ve been chasing ghosts. No solid leads, no trace. But,” he adds, his voice dropping to a more measured tone, “according to one of my sources, the Prestons received a substantial amount of money the same day we were robbed.”

That catches my attention, though it’s not entirely unexpected. “So, it’s them.” It’s more a statement than a question. The Prestons were always the most likely culprits, but hearing confirmation solidifies my resolve. Kace Preston thinkshe can steal from us and walk away without consequences. He’s about to learn just how wrong he is.

Maxim’s eyes flash with barely contained anger, his temper getting the best of him as it often does. “We should hit them now, Ivan. They’ve crossed the line, and they need to know who they’re dealing with.”

I let his words hang in the air for a moment, considering the directness of his approach. Maxim is loyal, fiercely so, but his instinct is always to strike back hard and fast. I respect that about him, but this situation requires something more than brute force.

“No,” I say, my voice cutting through the tension. “Not yet.”

Maxim’s brow furrows, a flicker of confusion in his eyes. “What do you have in mind? If we wait too long, they’ll think we’re weak, or worse—they’ll hit us again.”

“They won’t,” I assure him. “Not if we play this right.”

He crosses his arms, curiosity replacing some of his frustration. “What’s the plan?”

I reach into my desk drawer and pull out a photograph, sliding it across the polished wood surface toward him. Maxim picks it up, his eyes narrowing as he studies the image. It’s a candid shot of a young woman, Sophia Preston. She’s wearing a crop top that shows off a small rose tattoo on her waist, her long blonde hair cascading over her shoulders. Her smile is genuine, her beauty striking, even in the casual setting of the photo.

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