Page 7 of Pregnant By the Bratva

Maxim’s lips curve into a smirk. “I didn’t know Kace had such a bombshell for a daughter. She’s something else.”

I ignore the comment, though it confirms what I already knew—Sophia Preston is a weakness, a vulnerability that Kace likely underestimates. “Her name is Sophia. She’s Kace’s only child, and from what I’ve gathered, he’s very protective of her. She’s kept out of the family business, but she’s still their biggest asset.”

Maxim raises an eyebrow, interest piqued. “So, what are you thinking? We use her to get to Kace?”

“Exactly,” I reply, leaning forward. “We don’t hit them where they expect. We don’t go after their money or their businesses—those things can be rebuilt. We hit them where it really hurts. Kace thinks he’s keeping her safe, that he’s got everything under control. We’re going to show him that he’s wrong.”

Maxim nods slowly, the wheels turning in his mind. “How do you want to play this?”

I tap the photograph, my mind already working through the details. “We need to be subtle. Sophia can’t know what’s happening until it’s too late, and Kace can’t trace it back to us, not at first. We need to gather more information on her—her routines, her friends, her weaknesses. Anything we can use.”

Maxim’s expression darkens with determination. “I’ll put my best men on it. We’ll find out everything there is to know about her.”

“Good,” I say, my voice cold and calculated. “Once we have enough, we’ll make our move. We’ll let Kace know that no one, not even his precious daughter, is untouchable.”

Maxim sets the photograph back on the desk, his smirk returning. “This is going to hurt him more than anything else we could do. He won’t see it coming.”

“That’s the idea,” I reply, leaning back in my chair. “Let the Prestons think they’ve won this round. Let them celebrate their stolen victory. When we strike, it’ll be swift, and it’ll be final.”

Maxim’s eyes gleam with anticipation. “I like it. It’s smarter than just going in guns blazing. This will make him suffer.”

“And that’s what we need,” I agree. “The Prestons have always been about money, about power in the most obvious sense. We’re going to show them that real power isn’t about what you take—it’s about what you can protect.”

Maxim nods, standing a little taller. “I’ll handle it. You’ll have everything you need within the week.”

I watch him as he heads toward the door, his confidence restored. He’s always been a man of action, but he respects strategy when he sees it. This plan? It’s the beginning of the end for Kace Preston.

Maxim lingers by the door, that sly grin still playing on his lips. “You know, if this goes well, maybe I’ll take Miss Preston for myself. She’s quite the distraction, wouldn’t you say?”

I give him a pointed look, my tone sharp but with a trace of dry humor. “Don’t let a pretty face distract you, Maxim. Sophia Preston might look like a sweet distraction, but she’s still Kace’s daughter. We have to assume she’s more involved in the family business than we might think.”

Maxim chuckles, shaking his head. “You’re right, of course. Doesn’t hurt to look, though, does it?”

I suppress a smirk, keeping my voice stern. “Looking is fine. Just don’t get too close. We can’t afford to underestimate her. Kace wouldn’t leave his daughter unprotected, not completely. If she’s involved in the gang, even on the periphery, she’s dangerous.”

Maxim crosses his arms, his expression turning thoughtful. “It’s funny, isn’t it? The daughter of a Mafia boss, trying to live a normal life. Or at least, that’s what she wants everyone to think.”

I nod slowly. “That’s exactly why she’s valuable. Kace has done everything in his power to keep her separate from the dirt, to preserve her innocence—at least in the public eye. You and I both know there’s no such thing as innocence in this world.”

“True enough,” Maxim agrees, his tone more serious now. “Still, it makes you wonder. What’s her angle? Why play the good girl when she’s got a foot in the underworld?”

I lean back in my chair, considering the question. “Could be a cover. Could be she’s just as ruthless as her father but chooses to keep it hidden. Or maybe she’s smarter than him, playing both sides of the line. Either way, she’s not to be underestimated. We use her to get to Kace, but we keep our guard up at all times.”

Maxim taps his fingers on the doorframe, a slow, deliberate rhythm. “I’ll make sure my men know that. No one gets close without your say-so. We play this one carefully.”

“Good,” I say, my voice firm. “We can’t afford any mistakes. Not with the stakes this high. If this goes wrong,Kace will retaliate with everything he’s got, and we can’t let that happen.”

Maxim straightens, his usual bravado tempered by a newfound focus. “I’ll keep that in mind. We’ll do this right. When the time comes, we’ll hit them where it hurts the most.”

I watch him closely, ensuring he understands the gravity of the situation. “The Prestons need to know that no one crosses the Bratva and walks away unscathed.”

Maxim nods, his expression hardening with determination. “They’ll get the message loud and clear. We’ll use her to take down the entire Preston empire.”

I allow a small, satisfied smile to tug at the corner of my mouth. “That’s the spirit. Just keep your head on straight. This is the long game, and we need to play it smart.”

Maxim’s eyes narrow slightly, a smirk playing on his lips as he nods. “I hear you, Ivan. I’ll keep it clean, stay focused. No distractions.” He takes a step back, hand resting on the doorknob, but he lingers a moment longer. “You know, it’s almost a shame we have to use her. Sophia Preston might be the only decent thing in that family.”

I raise an eyebrow, my voice firm when I say, “Decency doesn’t matter in this world, Maxim. What matters is leverage, and she’s it. Don’t forget that.”

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