Page 18 of Imperfect Desires

My grip tightens on the coffee mug.

Yelena laughs softly. “Sure.”

Alina’s gaze lingers on me for a second longer before she looks away. I hate how much I notice it. How much I feel it. I keep my face neutral and my gaze fixed on the table as Viktor speaks. My chest tightens with every breath I take. I don’t look at her. I don’t react.

I can’t.

I don’t see her for the rest of the morning. Not until early afternoon, when I’m in the Pakhan’s office discussing the new change in security at the docks and how this may affect our shipments.

Viktor, Zasha, and I sit opposite Igor. His gaze is dark, his face impassive as he listens.

“We’ve secured two of the routes,” Viktor says. “But the Irish are still pressing on the east side. If we push back too hard, it could escalate.”

Igor’s mouth hardens. “Then make sure it doesn’t escalate.”

Viktor nods. “We’ll handle it.”

The door opens. I glance toward it—and freeze inside.

Alina steps inside.

She hesitates, her gaze flicking toward the room, clearly flustered to have walked into the middle of a meeting. Her hand curls around the edge of the doorframe.

Viktor glances at her. “You need something,moya dorogaya?”

Alina’s gaze shifts toward her father. "I just wanted to speak with Papa. But I'll come back.”

She starts to turn, but thePakhan’svoice stops her.

“Stay.” Igor’s gaze softens. “Whatever it is, it can wait until after we’re done, right?”

“Yes, Papa." She nods and steps toward the bookshelf. Trailing her fingers along the spines of the books, her gaze flickers toward me. I don’t move. I don’t look at her. But I am painfully aware of her presence.

Viktor leans toward Igor. “We’ll double the patrols on the east side.”

Igor’s mouth thins. “That will draw attention.”

“We’ll keep it low-key,” Zasha says smoothly.

I feel Alina’s gaze linger on me. I force myself to focus on the conversation.

“We can’t afford any more disruptions,” Igor says. His voice is sharp. “Handle it.”

Viktor nods once and stands. Zasha follows, and I begin to gather up the documents that we used for the meeting. Alina is still sitting on the couch, her legs tucked beneath her.

Igor’s gaze relaxes when he looks at her. “You wanted to speak to me?”

Alina sits up straighter. “I need to pick up a few more things for London.”

“Shopping?” Igor’s mouth tilts faintly. “You’ve never needed permission for that before.”

Alina’s eyes shyly dart around the men in the room. “I’m still not very familiar with New York.”

Igor watches her for a moment, then smiles. “You remind me so much about your mother. She was ever so calm.” His gaze shifts toward me. “Lev, take her.”

I tense, and my heart starts to pound.

“Sure,Pakhan,”I say carefully. “But shouldn’t Anton or one of the guys go with her? We have an assignment to carry out.” I nod toward Viktor and Zasha.

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