Page 22 of Deadly Vows

“You won’t feel like I’m abandoning you?” I asked nervously.

“What?” Sandy looked surprised. “Of course not. As long as Aleksandr understands I will be hanging out at the mansion with you and my niece…or nephew.” She smirked, flipping her strawberry blonde hair over her shoulder.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

We continued trying on clothes, laughing, and chatting, and I cherished every moment.

By the time we finished our shopping spree, the sun was beginning to set, and a golden hue blanketed the city. The warm light reflected off the buildings, creating a mesmerizing glow that made everything seem magical. Nikolai and Lev escorted us back to the car, and we loaded our bags into the trunk. The driveback to the mansion was filled with a contented silence, each of us lost in our thoughts.

As we pulled up to the mansion, I turned to Sandy, squeezing her hand gently. “Thank you for today. I really needed this,” I said, my voice filled with gratitude.

“Me too,” she replied, her eyes sparkling with joy and a hint of sadness. “Be safe, sis.”

We hugged tightly before parting ways. Nikolai stepped forward to help me carry the bags inside. I felt a sense of peace settle over me as we walked through the mansion’s grand entrance. The day had been perfect, a reminder that there were still moments of joy even amidst uncertainty and danger.

Once inside, I eagerly showed Sasha and Maxim the baby items and new clothes. Their faces lit up with excitement, their smiles mirroring my own feelings of hope and anticipation. Watching them, I couldn’t help but think about the future. Aleksandr and I had a long road ahead of us, but I felt hopeful for the first time in a while. Our baby would be born into a family filled with love and protection, and I was determined to make sure no one would take that away from us.

Later that night, as I settled into bed, my thoughts drifted to the baby and becoming a mother. I placed a hand on my belly, feeling a sense of connection and purpose I had never experienced before. Aleksandr wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close.

“I can’t wait to meet our little one,” he whispered, his voice filled with wonder and love.

“Me too,” I replied, a smile spreading across my face. “I think they’re going to be just as amazing as their father.”

He chuckled softly, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “And their mother,” he added.

I cuddled into him, feeling a sense of completeness that had eluded me for so long. I was finally home, and for the first time in a long time, I felt truly happy.

Chapter 13

Aleksandr

My senses gradually came alive to the subtle fragrance of Talia’s hair and the comforting warmth of her body curled next to mine. She was sleeping peacefully, her face turned toward me, her expression serene and innocent. I couldn’t help but smile, a tender feeling welling up inside me as I watched her. Strands of her dark hair splayed out on the pillow, framing her delicate features. She looked beautiful, angelic even, and I wished I could stay in this moment forever, but reality was a harsh mistress.

Gently, I brushed a lock of hair away from her face, careful not to wake her. Talia had been through so much in her life; she deserved this moment of peace. I wanted nothing more than to protect her and keep her safe from all the dangers lurking inour world’s shadows. Yet, to do that, I had to face those dangers head-on. Vic was still out there, hiding like the rat he was, and as long as he remained at large, Talia would never be safe.

I slipped out of bed, moving with practiced stealth. Talia murmured something in her sleep but didn’t wake. I watched her for another moment, my heart heavy with the weight of what I had to do. Then, I dressed quickly, my mind shifting gears, planning the steps I needed to take today. Dimitri and Anton would be waiting for me at the gallery. We had to devise a plan to flush Vic out of hiding. It was the only way to end this once and for all.

The drive to the gallery was uneventful, and the city was quiet in the early morning. My thoughts were consumed with strategies and contingencies, but I couldn’t shake the image of Talia’s peaceful face. She was my anchor, my reason for everything I did now. That bastard Vic was going to die a slow and painful death.

When I arrived at the gallery, Dimitri and Anton were already there. They greeted me with nods, their expressions determined.

“Morning,pakhan,“ Anton said, handing me a cup of coffee. The gallery was still and quiet, the walls adorned with vibrant art constantly reminding me of the life I had left behind.

“Morning,” I replied. Anton’s perpetually calm demeanor had a slight crack in it this morning. “Any leads on Vic?”

“Not yet,” I admitted, leading them to my office to talk privately. “But we need to change that. Vic won’t stay hidden forever, and the longer we wait, the more dangerous he becomes.”

Ever the strategist, Dimitri leaned forward, his sharp coffee-colored eyes narrowing. “We need to draw him out and make him finally show his hand. It’s time to end him.”

I sat down, placing the coffee mug before me on the desk. “I’ve been thinking about that. Vic knows we’re looking for him, and he won’t come out of hiding unless he thinks he has no choice. We need to create that scenario, make him feel cornered.”

Dimitri nodded slowly. “A trap. But we’ll need to be careful. Vic’s not stupid; he’ll see through anything too obvious.”

“Exactly,” I agreed. “That’s why we need outside help. I’m thinking of contacting Adachi again to get the Yakuza involved. They have resources and reach that we don’t.”

Anton raised an eyebrow. “Adachi? Are you sure? The Yakuza aren’t exactly known for their subtlety.”

I shrugged. “They aren’t, but they get results. And right now, results are what we need. Adachi doesn’t want anything to disturb the distribution agreement we currently have in place. I’ll let him think that the situation with Vic is threatening business unless it gets resolved quickly.”

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