Page 59 of Innocent Bratva Hostage

As we reach the door to my room, Vera stops, turning to face me fully. “You’ll be a good mother, Hannah,” she says, her tone full of quiet conviction.

I blink, caught off guard by the certainty in her voice. “You don’t know that,” I say softly.

“Oh, but I do,” she replies, a gentle smile curving her lips. “I’ve seen the way you care, the way you think about this child already. That’s the most important part.”

I swallow hard, emotion welling up in my throat. “Thank you,” I whisper.

She reaches out, placing a hand on my arm. “You’re not alone, dear. Remember that. And if you ever need advice—or just someone to talk to—I’m here.”

Her kindness is overwhelming, and for a moment, I don’t know what to say. All I can do is nod, my chest tightening with gratitude.

As Vera steps away, leaving me at the door to my room, I feel a little less lost. Her words echo in my mind as I step inside, closing the door behind me.

I sit on the edge of the bed, my hand resting on my stomach, and let out a slow breath.

Chapter Twenty - Makar

The meeting room hums with tension, the voices of Bratva leaders exchanging updates and strategies blending into the background. I sit at the head of the table, listening, though my focus drifts more than it should. Normally, these meetings command my full attention—discussing territory disputes, securing alliances, stamping out threats.

Not today.

Today, my thoughts are elsewhere. On her.

Hannah.

I grip the edge of the table, my knuckles whitening as her face flickers into my mind. The way her brown eyes darken when she’s frustrated. The way her lips curve into a faint smile when she thinks no one’s looking. The way her hand instinctively rests on her growing belly, as though shielding the life we created together.

She’s beautiful.

It’s maddening. I’ve built my life on control, on making calculated decisions without emotion clouding my judgment. Even so, she’s unraveling that. Bit by bit, she’s pulling me into her world, making me question things I’ve never dared to before.

The meeting drags on, but I feel disconnected, restless. When it finally concludes, the others begin gathering their papers, exchanging low murmurs. I rise from my chair, ready to retreat to my office for a moment to clear my head.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, the vibration sharp against my leg. I pull it out, frowning as I see Vera’s name on the screen.

“Vera,” I answer curtly. “What is it?”

Her voice is calm but tinged with concern. “Sir, I wanted to inform you about Hannah. She mentioned having some unusual pain earlier today. It happened again this evening, and she seemed… unsettled.”

The words hit me like a blow, and I freeze, my hand tightening around the phone.

“What kind of pain?” I demand, my voice sharp.

“She didn’t specify,” Vera replies. “It seemed enough to worry her, so we called an ambulance. I thought you should know.”

I don’t respond, my mind already racing. Without a word, I end the call, slipping the phone back into my pocket as I turn toward the door.

“Makar?” one of the men at the table calls after me, his tone laced with confusion.

I don’t bother explaining. My steps are quick, purposeful, my thoughts consumed by a single goal: getting to her.

***

The hospital looms ahead, its sterile facade a stark contrast to the chaos swirling inside me. I park haphazardly, not caring about protocol or rules as I stride toward the entrance.

The receptionist barely has time to glance up before I demand Hannah’s room number. My tone leaves no room for argument, and within moments, I’m moving through the halls, my pulse pounding in my ears.

When I find her, my steps falter.

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