Page 45 of Til Death Do Us Part (Kornilov Bratva Duet 2)

“I hear you got yourself married,” she says, lifting her chin and turning away from me. “Though, I missed the invitation.”

“It was a quick wedding,” I say. “I’m sorry.”

She turns back to me, her eyes assessing. “A quick wedding? Is it because she is carrying your baby?”

Damn, I almost forgot how astute Aunt Vera can be.

When I don’t answer, she shrugs. “Fine, but when you announce the news, I better be one of the first to know. I’ll babysit whenever you need me to.”

“I know,” I say warmly, wishing that were possible. By the time the baby is born, Molly might be gone. And if she isn’t, Petr likely will be. The news of why I had to kill Petr will get back to Aunt Vera, and she’ll never forgive me. She’ll never meet my child or babysit for me.

After my parents died, Aunt Vera was a substitute mother. She has been there for me my entire life, and now, I’m looking into a future alone.

Before I leave, she sends me home with a plastic container of food for Molly and Theo and a kiss on the cheek. I can still feel the residue from her lipstick on my cheek as I call Petr from the car.

He answers on the third ring with a loud whoop. “You won over the Irish. Goddamn, Vik. We might actually win this thing.”

“We will win,” I say firmly.

“Of course, of course.” Petr chuckles to himself, excited by the news of the recent alliance. Or, at least, pretending to be excited. “So, what’s going on?”

“Nothing. I just wanted to call and check on your mom. Is she still sick?”

There is a pause. “Yeah. Still sick. Thanks for asking.”

I close my eyes and shake my head. “Let me know if I can do anything. I can stop by and help with whatever she needs.”

“No, that’s okay,” Petr says quickly. “I can take care of it. Thanks, but I got it.”

Petr congratulates me again on the alliance before we hang up, and even now, knowing he is lying to me, it sounded genuine. Petr had me perfectly fooled.

I switch to my texts and message George.

Find out who Petr is meeting with. ASAP.

* * *

Seamus is sittingwith his back against a brick wall, facing the dining room of the restaurant. It’s not surprising after the assassination attempt last night. I’d be nervous, too.

I take the seat across from him and grip his hand in a firm shake. “Good to see you again so soon.”

“Sorry for the late notice,” he says. “I just thought it would be best to talk in person.”

“Of course, what have you found?”

Molly was nervous about her interruption at the dinner last night. Admittedly, I was nervous, too. My alliance with Seamus was tenuous, and if it looked like I couldn’t control my wife, what would he think?

Luckily, Seamus is familiar with strong, outspoken women. His wife is the same way.

Plus, Molly was right. Keeping the waiter alive and questioning him served a far better purpose than quick vengeance.

Seamus sighs and rolls his eyes. “Just as you suspected. It was Fedor’s doing.”

“He knows I am trying to take him down. I should have guessed he’d try to interfere.”

“It isn’t your fault,” Seamus says. “My men somehow let the man he hired through the doors. I need to increase security.”

How did Fedor know where we were meeting? Obviously Fedor found out, but how?

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