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My brothers look at each other at lightning speed and then take their seats. Damien leans forward. “You know the consequences could be devastating. Especially now, when you already told the man you would.”
“I understand,” I try to keep my voice level. “But I have to marry someone else.”
“Who?”
“A woman carrying my child. Robin.”
"Shit," Damien mutters, his eyes widening in shock. Lev's mouth drops open as he stares at me in disbelief. “Like, your new secretary? The girl from the club?”
I nod.
"Are you sure?" Damien asks, his voice laced with skepticism.
"Positive," I reply, meeting his gaze.
"Fuck." Lev runs a hand through his hair, his expression growing darker. "So what are you going to do?"
"Isn't it obvious?" I say, frustration seeping into my voice. "I'm going to marry her. I have to protect her and our child."
"Come on, Boris," Damien argues, his tone sharp. "You barely know the girl! You're just going to throw yourself into a marriage because she says she’s carrying your kid?”
"Robin isn't like other women we've known," I snap back. "She's innocent, not part of our world. She doesn't deserve to be dragged into this mess, but now that she is, I have a responsibility to keep her safe."
"Responsibility? Do you even hear yourself right now?" Lev interjects, his voice rising in anger. "You're talking about tying yourself down to someone you barely know for the rest of your life! That's insane!"
I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "This is my decision. I can't change what's happened, but I can damn well make sure I do right by Robin and our child."
"Fine," Damien concedes, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "But if you're going to do this, you'd better be prepared for the consequences. It won't be easy."
"Nothing worthwhile ever is," I reply, my voice firm.
“And what if she’s just lying about it being your child? What if it’s not?” Lev asks impertinently.
“Enough!” I roar, slamming my fist on the table. “She’s carrying my child, and you just have to trust me on that. I’m not a fool, Lev. I’ve literally built our empire and looked out for you. I don’t need to explain my reasons for trusting the mother of my child.”
Lev lets out a low whistle, breaking the tense silence that follows my outburst. “This is a whole new level of mess, brother,” he says, shaking his head. “So, what’s the plan now? You marry Robin and break it off with Gerald Russo’s daughter?”
I exhale heavily, feeling the weight of the decisions I have to make pressing down on me. “I can’t just leave Genevieve high and dry,” I explain, my voice tinged with guilt. “But I can’t abandon Robin and my child either.”
Damien leans forward. "Boris, we understand, but you must see the bigger picture. Breaking a deal with Gerald Russo is a dangerous move. You've put not only yourself but all of us at risk."
"Risk?" I scoff, shaking off his touch. "What kind of life will my child have if I abandon them to save my own skin? How could I face any of you, knowing I turned my back on my own flesh and blood?"
"Blood is thicker than water, Boris," Lev argues, his voice tense. "But we can't ignore the possible fallout from this decision. You know as well as we do how vindictive Russo can be."
"Damn it, I know!" I shout, my anger barely contained. "But I won't sacrifice my child for a business deal. I can't. And if that makes me a fool, then so be it."
The room falls silent, the air thick with unspoken tension. Damien and Lev exchange a worried glance before finally nodding in reluctant understanding.
"Alright," Damien concedes. "We're with you, no matter what. But we need to tread carefully. If we don't play our cards right, this could all go up in flames. Not only will Russo be out for revenge, but your project could fail before it even sees the day of light."
“If only you had a twin we could pawn off instead,” Lev jokes.
Suddenly, an idea strikes me like lightning in the darkness.
"Maybe one of you," I suggest hesitantly, "or Anoushka could enter the marriage deal instead."
Damien raises an eyebrow while Lev's eyes widen in disbelief. I can practically feel their resistance to the idea, but I push forward, determined to make them understand.
