Page 64 of The Mafia's Quadruplets

“Two singletons and a pair of identical twins,” I read aloud, tracing the outline of each tiny blob with my finger. I quickly put the picture away. Staring at it makes this too real, and I’m not ready to really, truly believe it yet.

As if my body is mutinying, or just mocking me, a sudden surge of nausea hits me. It’s so strong it sends me running to the bathroom, where I purge the contents of my stomach. This is the first time I’ve vomited since learning of the pregnancy, and it leaves me as wrung out as a dish towel. I collapse against the cool tile and try to pretend this isn’t happening, but my imagination isn’t that good.

23

Valerian

Ipace the length of my office for the hundredth time. The tablet’s screen casts a cold blue glow across my desk, and I catch myself checking the security feed yet again. Twenty cameras, all stationed around the perimeter of my estate, and not one shows Claire’s black Range Rover pulling through the gates. I should have gone with her to her gynecology appointment.

“Where are you?” I mutter, pressing my fingertips against the mahogany windowsill. The setting sun paints the manicured grounds in shades of amber and crimson, but the driveway remains empty. My jaw clenches as I glance at my watch—a Patek Philippe that cost more than most cars. Another minute ticks by, each second feeding the growing unease that coils in my gut like a serpent.

The tablet chimes with an incoming message, and I snatch it up so quickly I nearly drop it, but it’s just Viktor with hisdaily report. I dismiss it with an irritated swipe, my attention returning to the security feeds that mock me with their stillness.

“Valerian, we need to finalize these merger details,” says Alexei, his voice sharp with barely concealed frustration. He slaps a thick folder onto my mahogany desk, the sound echoing through my cavernous office. “Steele Industries won’t wait forever. We’ve been dancing around this for weeks.”

I glance up from my tablet, where Claire’s appointment schedule glares back at me in accusing black and white. Alexei’s usually impeccable appearance is slightly disheveled—his tie askew, with a faint sheen of sweat on his forehead. He’s been trying to get my attention for the past hour, but my mind keeps drifting to thoughts of soft blonde waves and warm brown eyes.

“I hear you,” I say, running a hand through my hair. The strands, usually slicked back in a perfect coif, stand up in messy spikes. I can feel my carefully crafted image crumbling, just like my focus. “But Claire’s appointment?—”

“Is not more important than a multi-million-dollar deal,” Alexei cuts in, his green eyes flashing with a mixture of concern and irritation. “What’s gotten into you, boss? You’ve never let a woman distract you like this before.”

The truth of his words stings, but I push aside the feeling. “You don’t understand,” I mutter, tightening my fingers around the edge of my desk. “This isn’t just about a woman. It’s about—” I stop, unable to voice the unfamiliar emotions swirling in my chest.

Alexei sighs, his shoulders sagging. “Look, I get it. She’s special, but right now, we need Valerian the ruthless businessman, not Valerian the lovesick teenager.”

His words hit home, and I force myself to take a deep breath. He’s right, of course. I’ve built an empire on cold logic and merciless decisions. I can’t let myself be derailed now, no matter how much I want to.

“You’re right,” I concede, straightening my posture and smoothing down my hair. “Let’s go over those merger details, but first, I need to make a quick call.”

Alexei nods, a relieved smile tugging at his lips. As he starts laying out documents on my desk, I step away to dial Claire’s number, my heart racing with each ring. I need to hear her voice, just for a moment, before I can fully immerse myself back into the cutthroat world of business.

She doesn’t answer, though I try three times, each one accompanied by a progressively louder sigh from Alexei. At my last attempt, and his latest sigh, I turn to glare at him. “I should have gone with her.”

Alexei sighs, setting down the stack of papers he’s been holding. “I understand you’re worried, but the details of this merger need to be settled to ensure it goes through on time. We can’t afford any delays.”

“I don’t give a fuck about the Steele merger right now,” I snap.

Alexei’s mouth snaps shut, and he takes a step back. The room falls into an uncomfortable silence, broken only by the soft hum of my computer.

I close my eyes, taking a deep breath to calm myself. “I’m sorry, Alexei. I know this merger is important. It’s just—” A soft chime from my phone interrupts me. I snatch it up, relief washing over me when I see the notification from the security system. The SUV is back.

I move to the window, watching as Claire steps out of the vehicle. Even from this distance, I see the tension in her shoulders, and the way she clutches her purse close to her body. Something’s wrong.

“Valerian?” Alexei’s voice pulls me back to the present. “We really need to go over these numbers.”

I tear my gaze away from Claire’s retreating form, forcing myself to focus on the papers Alexei is holding out to me. “Right. Let’s get this over with.”

We dive into the financial details of the merger, but my mind keeps drifting back to Claire. What happened at that appointment? Why does she look so shaken?

“These profit projections seem optimistic,” I mutter, flipping through the pages.

Alexei nods. “That’s what I thought too. I’ve asked for a more conservative estimate, but…”

He keeps talking, but I tune out. Claire consumes my thoughts, and there’s no help for that. I finally wrap up the meeting with Alexei, my mind still churning with thoughts of Claire. As soon as we’re done, I stride out of my office.

“Anatoly,” I call out, spotting my butler near the staircase. “Where’s Claire?”

He turns, his weathered face creasing with a gentle smile. “Miss Claire is in her room, sir. She returned about an hour ago.”

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