Page 64 of Auctioned to the Russian Pakhan
She was quiet for a long moment, her mind racing. “But you don’t think they were actually responsible.”
“No,” he admitted. “Especially not after what you told me about Viktor offering to help you escape. If your family were planning an attack, they wouldn’t have risked you being caught in the crossfire.”
“And there was an attack on a Nikolai operation too,” she said slowly, pieces clicking together. “Around the same time.”
“Yes. And I think our former partner was responsible for both.” She could feel the rage that had been simmering beneath the surface since he’d first suspected the truth begin to bubble up. “I think he’s been playing us against each other, attacking both families and making it look like we were responsible for each other’s losses.”
The realization hit her like a punch to the gut. She sat up abruptly, the sheet clutched to her chest. “That bastard. He’s been manipulating everything from the beginning.”
“Which means your family is innocent. And mine has been preparing for a war that was orchestrated by someone else entirely.” He reached for her, but she was already sliding out of bed, reaching for her discarded clothes.
“I need some air,” she said, her voice tight with anxiety. “I need to think about this.”
But even as she said it, she knew this wasn’t just about the revelation regarding their families. There was something else, something that had her spooked in a way that went beyond concern for their safety, the secret she’d been carrying, the one that changed everything.
She followed her instincts out to the balcony, where she stood gripping the railing, her knuckles white with tension. The night air was cool against her skin, but she barely noticed, focused entirely on the chaos in her mind.
“Irina.” His voice was gentle, non-threatening as he joined her. “What’s really wrong? This is about more than just the family rivalry, isn’t it?”
She didn’t turn around, afraid he’d see the truth in her eyes before she was ready. Her shoulders shook slightly. “I don’t know if I can handle it,” she whispered. “If we’re wrong about my family being innocent. If this all goes sideways and people get hurt...”
“Hey.” She felt him move to stand behind her, his hands settling on her shoulders. “Look at me.”
When she finally turned, she knew the fear in her eyes was probably gutting him. But she couldn’t help it; she felt terrified, and this man, who had become her whole world, was the only one who could take that fear away.
“Whatever happens with our families, we’ll face it together,” he promised. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“You don’t understand.” Her voice cracked, and fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. “There’s something else. Something that changes everything.”
His hands tightened on her shoulders, and she could see him preparing himself for whatever blow was coming. “Then tell me. Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out.”
She took a shuddering breath, her eyes searching his face as if looking for the answer to some unspoken question. “I’m pregnant, Matvei.”
She watched the words hit him like a physical blow, knocking the air from his lungs. Pregnant. She was carrying his child. A baby that was part of both of them, a living symbol of everything they’d built together.
“I found out when I was staying with Anka,” she continued, the words tumbling out in a rush. “That’s why I came back. I couldn’t hide from you forever, not when you had a right to know. But now, with everything that’s happening with our families, I don’t know how to handle it. What if we’re wrong about the Nikolais being innocent? What if this war tears our child’s family apart before they’re even born?”
The fear in her voice, the way she was trembling, made her feel like she was breaking apart. But then, without hesitation, he pulled her into his arms, holding her tight against his chest, and she felt some of the pieces start to come back together.
“Listen to me,” he said fiercely, his lips pressed to the top of her head. “I want this baby. I want you. I want our family, no matter what happens with the Volkovs and the Nikolais.”
She pulled back to look at him, disbelief written across her features. “Even if it means choosing between your family and mine?”
“There won’t be a choice to make,” he said with absolute certainty. “Because I’m going to fix this. I’m going to find the bastard who’s been manipulating us all and make him pay forwhat he’s done. Your family will be cleared, the real enemy will be dealt with, and our child will grow up knowing both sides of their family.”
“You can’t promise that.” But she could hear hope creeping into her voice, tentative but real.
“I can and I am.” He cupped her face in his hands, forcing her to meet his eyes, and she saw nothing but determination and love there. “I’ve spent my whole life fighting for power, for control, for dominance. But none of that matters compared to protecting you and our baby. I’ll burn the whole world down before I let anyone hurt our family.”
The sob that escaped her was part relief, part overwhelming emotion. “I was so scared,” she whispered. “I didn’t know how to tell you. I didn’t know if you’d want...”
“I want everything with you,” he interrupted, his voice rough with emotion. “The baby, the messy family dynamics, the late-night feedings and diaper changes, and first steps. All of it. You and our child are my whole world now.”
When she kissed him this time, it was soft and sweet and full of hope. The fear was still there, lingering around the edges, but it was tempered now by love and trust and the promise of a future they would build together.
As he held her on that balcony, the night sky spread out above them, Irina felt something settle deep in her chest. Whatever came next, whatever challenges they would face, she wouldn’t face them alone. And as she thought about the life growing inside her, their child, created from this impossible love, she knew that somehow, everything would be okay.
Chapter 22 - Matvei
