Page 43 of Pregnant Bratva Virgin

Throwing Viktor an icy glare, I reiterate my stance. “We won’t. Wait for my go-ahead. I have another plan.”

Viktor coughs clearing his throat. “Alright, alright. Is this Laura woman recovered?”

“Yes. Her mom is doing well and looks fantastic.” An ache tugs inside my chest, thinking about the woman who saved Emily. Meeting her made it real, and the hugs and kisses she gave me for saving her continued to stockpile the guilt I felt about manipulating Emily.

“She went to see her today,” Viktor informs me as I watch the Chicago ferry head upriver.

“I know. It’s better if they spend time together. She’s my wife and has the freedom to come and go as she pleases.”

“Do you think that’s a good idea? I don’t trust her completely. Are you in love with her or something?”

Love is such a powerful word, and if I was to say it, it would be to my own mother and father, not a woman. I don’t think love is a word for me. Pausing, I contemplate it. “I care deeply for her. She’s the mother of my child.”

But there’s more, and part of me is wanting to keep the curtain of denial in front of me, but my feelings are too real to ignore. I can’t see myself not waking up beside her, snuggling with her in the morning before I leave.

It’s nice to hear her humming around the house, fixing things and helping her pick out items for the nursery. I enjoyed doing those things with her. It’s a contrast to the rest of my life, which is filled with meetings, sizing other men up, moving product, and reporting back to the Bratva.

“Sure, sure, but what if she turns on you? She was hell-bent on taking you down only months ago. Don’t tell me she doesn’t still want to string you up for Willy Dee’s murder.”

He’s right. And maybe that’s why I’ve let her open herself up first and said very little. I don’t want to expose my true feelings to her, only for her to jam them in my face and have me arrested and used for her benefit.

Emily wasn’t just a street cop; she was a detective with vengeance in mind from the start. I didn’t experience seeing her in that part of life, only when she was interviewing me, but I heard from the inside, she already dismantled part of my operation without me realizing. She was the one who brought down my racketeering job within the school.

I swing back from looking down on the street, moving over to my office bar and pouring a stiff drink. I hand one to Viktor as well. It’s a game of wait-and-see between Emily and me.

“Sure. She did, but that was before both of us knew she was carrying my child,” I remind him, letting the amber liquid burn down my throat, taking the edge off a little.

“Or did she already know?” Viktor proclaims, playing the devil’s advocate. “She might have had her sights set on you from the start. This could have been her whole plan. Don’t you see?” Viktor raises one hand, stretching it out, the frustration plain on his face.

“I see what you mean, but no. She didn’t target me that night. She was in the same spot the entire time.”

“That doesn’t mean anything. Wake up.” I stop drinking for a second.

“I said she didn’t target me that night. If anything, it was me that wanted her. Stop reading into things that aren’t there.”

Viktor stays quiet for a few beats, downing the rest of his drink. “Sorry. I want to protect what’s yours and make sure we stay on track.”

“And I commend you for that. It’s why you work for me, but this—is not what you think.”

Viktor taps his foot on the floor as I sit on the edge of my desk. “Do you plan on marrying?” I ask, not usually discussing my private matters with him, but we’ve been together long enough that I trust him with most elements of my life.

“I do. Just not right now. I’m committed to the Bratva, and there’s so many beautiful women out here, I can’t choose.” He smirks, looking my way. “Remember that. A cop isn’t the smartest move.”

“We could make it a smart move. She’s connected on the inside,” I counter, trying to see the bright side of events.

“You made her quit, remember? She can’t stay in the police department and be carrying your child,” Viktor scoffs,aggravating me with his push back as he heads to the bar himself, pouring another drink.

“Even if I didn’t force her to quit, she probably would have done so herself.”

“She seems like the type of woman dedicated to taking down criminals. You said so yourself.”

I’ve not seen Viktor with a woman on his arm for some time, and his responses are laced with envy, and if he doesn’t stop, he’s about to be bitch slapped.

“She used to be. That’s what I told you. Don’t exaggerate, Viktor,” I bite back.

“Hmm. Something’s off. I don’t think you should trust her. She used to be a cop, and yeah, I get you had to marry her because of the kid and stuff, but don’t get fucking attached. We’ve got big deals on the table and your head needs to be on straight.”

“It is on straight. You stick to your job. Where’s the distribution paperwork from Sully?” I ask angrily, wishing I’d never opened up to Viktor, but I had to tell someone, and who other than my right-hand man.

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