Page 93 of The Mafia's Fake Wife

Anton nods slowly. “And Elena? Does she know about this plan?”

“Not yet. I’m going to tell her soon.”

“She might not like the idea of you handing your criminal empire to your best friend.”

“She understands more than you might think.” I pause, thinking about the hard conversation we had over dinner. “She gave me an ultimatum today. Leave this life, or she leaves with our son.”

Anton’s eyebrows rise. “Bold move.”

“She doesn’t make idle threats.”

“No, she doesn’t.” He smiles slightly. “I like her.”

“So do I.” The admission feels inadequate for the depth of what I feel for Elena, but it’s all I can manage with Anton. “The funny thing is, I’ve been planning to leave all this behind for weeks now, if not longer. Perhaps as long as she’s been in my life, if I’m honest. I didn’t tell her that yet.”

He frowns. “Why not?”

“I thought she might not believe it. She might think I’m only saying that to mollify her. Until I can show her action, there’s no point in revealing my plan.”

“That makes sense.” He shifts slightly. “What about security right now, while Nikolai is still alive? Elena and the baby will be vulnerable.”

“That’s my primary concern.” I cross my arms. “Nikolai knows about the pregnancy, so he’ll use it against us if he can.”

“We’ll need to increase her protection without making her feel trapped.”

“She already feels trapped with the security detail at the hospital and the guards at home. She tolerates it because she understands the necessity, but she hates it.”

We fall into a comfortable silence, the kind that only exists between men who have faced death together and survived.

He finally speaks again. “I never thought I’d see the day when Damir Antonov walked away from power for love.”

“It’s not just love,” I correct him. “It’s purpose. For the first time, I’m building something instead of destroying it.”

Anton nods, understanding. “It suits you.”

“What does?”

“Happiness.” He says it simply, without embellishment. “I’ve known you since we were boys, Damir. I’ve seen you victorious, wealthy, and feared. I’ve never seen you happy until now.”

The observation strikes me more deeply than I expected. Happiness was never a consideration in my world. Survival, yes.Power, always, but happiness? That was for other people. People who didn’t have blood on their hands.

“I want this for you.” His voice is uncharacteristically soft. “God knows we’ve both seen enough darkness to last several lifetimes. If anyone deserves to find peace, it’s you.”

The sincerity in his words surprises me. Anton and I don’t speak this way. We never have. Our friendship has always been expressed through loyalty, through having each other’s backs, and through the unspoken understanding that we would die for one another if necessary. Not through words. I don’t respond verbally because I don’t need to. He reads my expression and nods once, acknowledging the moment without dwelling on it.

“We should discuss the practical aspects,” he says, returning to more familiar territory. “The transition will need to be seamless. No power vacuums and no opportunities for rivals to make moves.”

“I’ve prepared files on every captain, every territory, and every operation. You’ll have complete information.”

“And your connections with the police commissioner? Judge Harrison?”

“They’ll be introduced to you as my successor. The arrangements will continue unchanged.”

Anton nods, processing. “The timing with Nikolai will be critical. If he gets wind of the transition before we’re ready...”

“He won’t because I can’t start the transition until he’s dead.” I straighten up. “We find Casey first, and he’ll lead us to Nikolai.”

“And then?”

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