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“It just comes naturally, I guess,” I say, playing my part dutifully because the stakes have never been higher.
My father chuckles, the sound low and warm, confirming that Mishka is in the clear—or at least that he’s not going to die tonight. “Take the prisoners down to the basement,” he commands, nodding behind us to the men kneeling there—all except for the blond, who’s still curled in a bloody heap on the floor. Then his eyes shift to the men holding Mishka. “Untie him.” And to Mishka, “Come with me to my office.”
The men cut Mishka’s bonds, and he brings his hands around in front of himself to massage the circulation back into his wrists. Heady relief pounds through my veins, and I can’t stop myself from throwing my arms around his neck a second later. He grunts, the pained sound reminding me to be gentler with him.
“Sorry,” I murmur, cringing over my carelessness.
But when I try to draw back, he enfolds me in a hug, keeping me close and inhaling deeply, as if to breathe me in.
When we break apart, I take Mishka’s hand, interlacing our fingers. I don’t care if I wasn’t invited. I’m not letting Mishka out of my sight again tonight, and he seems perfectly agreeable to my decision as he gives my hand a gentle squeeze. Together, we follow my father down the hall and into his office.
“Close the door, Alina,” my father says as soon as we step inside.
I do, quickly returning my hand to Mishka’s as I come to stand beside him. Sitting on the edge of his desk, my father eyes us with consideration.
“I can’t have my daughter marrying one of my soldiers,” he states after a long silence. “It sets a bad precedent and undermines the value of our family name.”
His eyes flick to me, and my stomach knots as I wonder if he’s changed his mind. That he doesn’t intend to let me be with Mishka, even if he believes Mishka’s not a traitor. Tension hangs in the air as the strong hand wrapped around mine tightens.
“That means I’ll have to find a new position for you,” my father continues. “Something worthy of the man who intends to care for my daughter.”
I can see the tension ease from Mishka’s shoulders, and a smile splits my face.
“Thank you, Papachka,” I breathe, releasing Mishka’s hand to wrap my arms around my father’s waist.
He chuckles indulgently once more, gently stroking the back of my head. “You’re welcome, solntse. I hope you’re ready for her, Mishka. My daughter’s a firecracker, and she’ll be yours to manage now.”
Mishka’s responding chuckle is soft and warm. “I know, sir. It’s one of the many things I love about her.”
Returning to my spot beside Mishka, I can’t stop smiling. In truth, though I’d hoped Katie was right about my baby being able to help protect the man I love, I never dreamed things could work out so perfectly. I’m grateful we don’t have to run from my family. I didn’t like the idea of going into hiding, of never seeing them again.
“You’ll pick a wedding date for sometime within the next month,” my father states, crossing his arms as he gets back to business now. “I will cover the expenses. Alina, you and your mother can make the necessary arrangements. But I want it to be a grand affair, a proper celebration—not some quick courthouse deal that looks like you’re hiding a pregnancy.”
“Which we are?” I ask, raising an eyebrow as I read into his reasoning.
“Don’t push your luck, Alina,” my father growls a warning. “And yes, the baby won’t be announced until after you’re married. This family doesn’t need the scandal. A baby out of wedlock would hurt our reputation, and having you marry a common man is bad enough. I think, considering how amenable I’ve been to your choice in husband, you can hold off a few months on announcing you’re pregnant.”
“Even though half your men already know?”
“I assure you, they will not say a word of it to anyone,” my father states flatly.
“Agreed,” Mishka says before I can press the issue. “We won’t mention the baby until after the wedding.”
His arm snakes around my waist, pulling me close as my shoulders drop in resignation. Mild amusement flickers across my father’s face, as if witnessing the way Mishka handles me somehow pleases him.
And though I would love nothing more than to push back, I bite my tongue. I’ve risked Mishka’s life enough for one night. No need to draw things out and start an unnecessary argument. I can hide a baby bump until we’re married. Besides, Katie’s the only one I would hate keeping a secret from, and she already knows.
“Good. That’s settled, then. Alina, please step outside. I need a moment alone with my future son-in-law.”
Licking my lips nervously, I glance between Mishka and my father. I shouldn’t be this anxious about leaving them alone together. But I am. Then, the softest of smiles tugs at Mishka’s lips, and he gives me a subtle nod of reassurance.
“Okay,” I murmur, looking between them once more before I slip out into the hall.
I pace in front of the closed door, chewing on my thumbnail as I listen for the sound of a gunshot or something equally as menacing.
After several agonizing minutes, Mishka steps through the door, looking no worse for wear—or at least no worse than when he arrived at the house.
“Everything okay?” I ask as he closes the door behind him.
