Page 129 of Wicked Arrangement

Again, I forcefully shake my head in disagreement. “Not at all. If you’ll take it, I know you’re the best man for the job.”

A slow smile crosses Artem’s face as he realizes how serious I am. “Well, in that case, old friend, I’d be honored to accept.”

I can’t help but grin back at him, “Then it’s settled,” I reply before raising my glass, “Here’s to working together to bring the Volkov family back even bigger and better than before!”

Artem clinks his glass against mine and we both shoot our drinks back, sealing our agreement. With his help, and my new alliances, I do not doubt that big things are coming for my business.

“To the future of the Volkov wolfpack! And to all our fallen comrades, you are gone, but not forgotten!” I cry out, raising my glass once more as the men around me follow suit, drinking to our family.

Perhaps Innokentiy did me a favor, he rooted out the weak links in my chain and now we will come out stronger for it. I know every man here is willing to die for me and what we’ve built together.

Chapter 67

Kimberly

One week later

Yaroslav has brought me to visit my grandmother today. I’m starting to show, and I’m planning on telling her about the baby. I’ve worn a loose-fitting dress to hide my growing bump, but soon that won’t be possible. I hope Gran will be happy for us. She can be quite old-fashioned and the thought of her giving Yaroslav the third degree about marriage and taking care of me makes me cringe. We’ve only just said ‘I love you’ to one another and we haven’t had a chance to discuss the future properly yet.

One thing Yaroslav and I have agreed on, is that we’d like my grandmother to move in with us, that is if she wants to. I don’t know how long Gran has left, or how many more lucid moments she will have before she needs to be in a care facility full-time for good. I want to make sure I spend every second I can with her.

Noah is still missing. Yaroslav has danced around the subject, but it’s clear that he believes Noah is dead. He believes that after Noah helped Sharkozi get my grandmother, they got rid of him, believing he’d be too much of a liability. Deep down, I believe this is true too. But part of me holds out hope that he had the sense to run off. That he’s sipping pina coladas on a tropical beach somewhere and living the high life off his ill-gotten gains. As much as he hurt me and put Gran’s life at risk, he’s still my brother. Either way, I doubt we’ll ever see him again. I’m all Gran has left.

The orderly shows us to Gran’s room, briefly updating us on how she’s been and preparing us for how we should broach the subject of her leaving. She’s had a lot of upheaval lately and it’s clear that they’re concerned moving her again could cause issues. Yaroslav has promised that she’ll have the best care money can provide at home with us and that we’ll hire a live-in carer, which seems to placate the orderly.

Gran is sat in an armchair by the window, looking out over the grounds as the sunlight streams into the room, basking it in a warm, golden glow. She looks peaceful, content. I almost start to reconsider my desire to make her leave, but then she looks up at us and breaks into a wide grin.

“Kimmy! And your gentleman friend, Yaroslav, wasn’t it? How are you both? I’m delighted to see you, sometimes I think I shall die of boredom here!” she quips but I can tell she’s only half joking, this place isn’t stimulating enough for her when she’s having good days.

“It’s good to see you, Gran,” I say going over to kiss her on the cheek.

“It’s a pleasure to see you again, Mrs. Walsh,” Yaroslav replies politely, though I can hear the nerves in his voice.

It’s funny how this strong man of mine can face near death, bloodshed, and torture, but the thought of telling an elderly woman that he’s impregnated her granddaughter outside of wedlock has him shaking in his boots.

“Yaroslav and I are both well. How are you?” I ask, surveying her.

“Getting old, but I’m fine other than that,” she replies, making me smile.

I love it when Gran is having a good day, it’s almost as though nothing’s changed and she’s still the witty, smart woman who raised me.

“Please, sit down. The orderly just brought in some tea for us, I’ll make you both up a cup,” she says gesturing to the couch and starting to get up out of her chair.

Yaroslav immediately rushes forward to stop her, “Please, allow me,” he says trying to help her back into her seat.

She fixes him with a no-nonsense gaze, “My mind is going, not my body, I’m perfectly capable of pouring tea for my guests,” she declares.

“Of course,” Yaroslav concedes, offering his hand, “At least let me help you up,” he insists, she takes his hand and allows him this small concession before bustling to make the tea.

We make small talk, and Gran regales us with stories of my childhood. She doesn’t seem to have realized Noah is missing, or if she does, she is unconcerned by it. Noah had a habit of disappearing so it’s hardly surprising she wouldn’t think anything of it. Both Yaroslav and I fidget nervously, catching each other’s eye occasionally and sharing silent conversations, both wondering how to broach the subject of the pregnancy.

It turns out that Gran is on top form today as she notices the tension and asks, “Now, what’s got you two twitching like cats on a hot tin roof?”

“Well, there’s something we wanted to tell you…” I say, taking hold of Yaroslav’s hand.

“Out with it then child, you know nothing you can say will make me love you any less,” she says, both impatient yet tender.

I place a hand on my stomach, “We’re having a baby.”

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