Page 54 of Arranged with Twins
Most concerning is Esai Janitz’s involvement. His presence signals that Adrian has moved beyond to active demand for repayment. Men like Janitz don’t conduct friendly meetings or offer extended payment terms.
They deliver ultimatums backed by brutal violence.
There’s no Chapter Eleven for dismissing bratva debts, and I still have problems believing Vincent was so desperate that he made this continual series of bad decisions.
By the time I reach my office, I’ve decided Vincent’s situation requires immediate attention, not just for his sake but for Sienna’s protection. If Adrian is using Vincent as a way to plotagainst me, then resolving Vincent’s debt becomes a strategic necessity rather than family obligation.
The truth is, I can’t trust Vincent anymore.
I want to… but I can’t.
I call Ilya from my private office. “I need a complete financial analysis of Vincent’s debt structure. I want to know principal amounts, interest rates, payment schedules, and penalties for early settlement.”
“Are you considering paying off Adrian directly?” Ilya sounds surprised.
“I’m considering removing Vincent as a pressure point in Adrian’s strategy.” I settle back in my chair and already calculate the financial implications. “If Vincent’s debt is eliminated, Adrian loses his primary leverage over the Cooper family. We can deal with Adrian later.”
“That assumes Adrian will accept repayment and release Vincent from any other obligations.” Ilya’s tone carries skepticism. “Men like Adrian rarely let go of useful assets voluntarily. He might not even be after the money.”
“Then we’ll have to make the alternative less appealing than cooperation.” I open my secure laptop and begin reviewing liquid assets that could be deployed quickly. “How much lead time do you need for the financial analysis?”
“Six hours for preliminary numbers, and twenty-four for comprehensive details including hidden obligations and penalty clauses.”
“Do it but keep this compartmentalized. No one else needs to know about our interest in Vincent’s financial situation until we’re ready to move.”
“Understood.”
After ending the call, I sit alone in my office, thinking hard but getting nowhere. It isn’t lost on me that protecting the woman I love requires engaging with the violence I’ve tried to distance myself from. In my bid to be less enmeshed inbratvadealings, I’d even let Adrian’s actions go unpunished beyond stopping his interference with my organization. That benevolent decision might be coming back to haunt me.
Vincent’s choices have forced my hand. If he won’t extricate himself from Adrian’s influence, then I’ll do it for him. Not out of family loyalty or gratitude for past kindness, but because Sienna’s safety and our children’s future depend on eliminating every weapon Adrian might use against Vincent or myself.
There are two weeks until Sienna enters the safer phase of her pregnancy. That gives me two weeks to ensure that when I finally tell her the truth about her father’s choices, I can also tell her the threat has been eliminated, assuming Adrian will be amenable, and I’ll have to ensure he is.
Some problems require money while others require strategy. This one might require both, along with a willingness to remind Adrian Petrov why breaking faith with Leo Denisov was the worst mistake he ever made. I let it go once, but I won’t make that mistake again if he tries to turn on me, or I learn he’s scheming against me.
19
Sienna
Saturday morning arrives with its usual dread. I stand before my bedroom mirror, fighting waves of nausea while trying to decide what to wear to the monthly brunch with my parents. These obligatory gatherings serve as another opportunity for Mother and Father to criticize my choices and attempt to mold me into their preferred version of a daughter.
The beige pantsuit I finally select is boring enough that Mother won’t find fault with it, though the fitted jacket makes me anxious about concealing the changes to my body. At twelve weeks, I’m not obviously pregnant yet, but my clothes fit differently, and Mother notices everything.
She’ll notice this, but is she bright enough to realize what it means? Or will she use it as an opportunity to shame me for not being pretty or feminine enough?
I apply concealer under my eyes to hide the shadows that come with first-trimester exhaustion, then add lipstick in a shade Mother considers appropriate for daytime events. The woman inthe mirror looks like someone playing a role, which I suppose is exactly what I am.
An actress. The only honest life I life is when I’m with Leo.
When I step outside my building, I’m surprised to find one of Leo’s cars waiting instead of the taxi I’d planned to take. The driver opens the door with professional courtesy. “Ms. Cooper. Mr. Denisov asked me to be at your disposal today.” He’s one of Leo’s regular drivers, impeccably dressed and discreetly armed. “He thought you might prefer not to worry about transportation.”
The gesture touches me enough to bring tears to my eyes, but that’s partly because of the hormones flooding my body. Everything makes me want to weep. Leo remembering my dreaded monthly brunch and arranging for me to have reliable, safe transportation without my needing to ask is certainly enough to turn on the waterworks. I sniff loudly to force them back. “Thank you. That’s very thoughtful.”
During the drive to my parents’ townhouse, I try to prepare myself mentally for whatever criticisms await. Mother will undoubtedly have opinions about my appearance, my posture, and my choice of accessories. Father will make pointed comments about my responsibility to support Leo’s business interests through appropriate social behavior. Neither of them will see me as anything more than a reflection of their own success or failure as parents. I don’t believe they’re even capable of doing so anymore.
The driver lets me out at the familiar limestone steps, and I take a deep breath before climbing toward the front door. The sound of raised voices stops me halfway up the stairs. Through thepartially open windows, I hear Father’s clipped tone, sharp with stress.
“The payments are behind again. Three months now, and he’s not accepting excuses anymore.”
