Page 21 of Bratva Daddies for the Single Mom

“They’re dangerous.” Elise gloated over her captive audience. “Why do you think they’re always together? They’re his bodyguards. His enforcers. One wrong move and…” She traced one red fingernail across her throat and whistled while spinning it in a slow circle until her nail drilled into the table. “Say hello to the fishes.”

Ilya’s expression when he broke Robert’s arm flashed in my mind. He’d looked totally unconcerned with the violence, the pain he’d brought. Even if maybe the man deserved it. No.

I refused to even entertain the idea. My girls were my whole world. I’d give my own life to protect them. No way in fuckinghell would I willingly let myself get drawn into the Russian Mafia and risk my girls. No amount of pleasure made that okay.

I set a hand on my stomach, cupping the baby growing there. I couldn’t tell them about this child. It tied me to them in ways I didn’t fully understand. The child of a Mafia Boss, or his henchman, would bring attention to me and my girls.

They might even try to take the baby from me if they tired of me. When. I forced myself to accept the truth. They would tire of me. I was a novelty, a new face.

The women continued chatting, their conversation turning to mundane, everyday topics like who they’d slept with and how good they were in bed. Elise seemed to be quite the leader and quickly declared that she’d slept with every available man—and some unavailable ones—in the office. Did that include Viktor, Ilya, and Fyodor? I’d never thought to ask about their sexual history, though it was obvious I was not the first woman they’d teamed up on. The thought sent the coffee back up in a rush of bile. I covered my mouth and ran from the room, not caring if anyone saw me flee.

12

ILYA

“Iunderstand, Councilman.” Viktor sat behind his desk, his attention on the graying man sitting across from him.

Fyodor and I stood toward the back of the room, near the leather couches. “Going to watch the fight this weekend?” I hooked my thumb toward the TV screen. “Should be a good one.”

“We’ll see.” Fyodor refused to commit to anything without Viktor’s consent.

I tended to agree with that approach, but having Annie back within our grasp put a new spin on our situation.

Councilman Jones droned on and on about upcoming political campaigns. He made heavy implications that he wanted Viktor’s support without asking outright if the head of the Bratva could be counted on.

I grunted and elbowed Fyodor. “How long do you think it would take him to ask the question if Viktor keeps refusing to give an answer?”

“All fucking day.” Annoyance painted its way across his face, tension riding his shoulders.

I knew the feeling. I’d been fighting it back since we left Annie at the break room. At least Viktor and Fyodor had their time with her. We all ached to return and finish what we started. I, for one, had enough ideas for Annie to last us all weekend. “Can we hurry him along?” I asked Fyodor because he tempered my hot-bloodedness. I respected his quieter nature.

Fyodor crossed his arms. “Not without risking the entire meeting. He’s a lot of hot air, but he understands the game. We don’t have to have his approval, but it would be easier if he grasped the concept of how we can help one another.”

“Oh, I think he understands how we can help him.” I grinned when Councilman Jones finally straightened his tie and cleared his throat.

“Let me get to the heart of the matter.” A smile that started out genuine turned snide. “We are both powerful men. You have your place in this world, and I have mine. If we should find it agreeable to work together, I can see great benefit for both sides.”

“I agree. It is especially beneficial for you to understand that my business continues with or without your help.” The cold slice of Viktor’s voice punctuated the point. “I have given you a chance. What you do with that chance is entirely up to you. As to your future campaign…” Viktor stopped talking and stood. With a sweep of his arm toward the door, he dismissed the councilman. “That depends on how well this agreement works out. I do not wish to make an enemy. I am not opposed to it, mind you.” The dead look in his eyes caused the councilman to shudder on his way to the door.

“This meeting was inconclusive.” Councilman Jones tugged his suit jacket, causing it to wrinkle in the back from the ill fit. “We’ve not yet reached an agreement.”

“You should learn this quickly.” Viktor wrenched open the door and stepped back. “There are a handful of people in my life who are necessary. You are not one of them.”

The threat of violence mixed with the implication of doom. I stalked forward to join Viktor, with Fyodor on my heels.

The councilman took one look at us and scurried out, his jowls sagging and his legs churning. “This isn’t over.”

I laughed at the weak threat. “You should have taken the deal when he offered. You were warned we do not negotiate.”

“So much for that being an important meeting.” Viktor tore off his tie and flung it across his desk. “Let’s go.”

I bit my tongue to keep from asking where, knowing damned well that Viktor wanted to see Annie as much as I did. My body strained forward, anxious to overtake Viktor and break into a run. I held my position back and to the left. Not even my desire for Annie could crack through years of conditioning and respect.

Viktor led the way back to the sixth floor and into the room where we’d recently enjoyed Annie.

She flinched at the sound of the door, in the process of folding her table and locking it closed.

“Where are you going?” Viktor asked.

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