Page 44 of My Ex’s Dad

I cross my arms and stare him down.

“I just want to talk. And see you.” He smiles slightly when he notices I’m hearing him out this much. “Because I am hoping you’ll take me back.”

You’ve got to be kidding me.

“Or well…” He smiles wider and rubs his jaw. “It’s more like if you’ll give me a chance to take you back, since you left me, but⁠—”

I scowl. “I left you because you cheated.”

“Okay, that’s in the past though. We can⁠—”

“There is no we,” I bite out.

“There could be.”

I scoff. “With Maeve, too?”

“No.” He glances to the side, seeming uncomfortable. “No. Things aren’t going so well with her and…” He shrugs. “So I was hoping that you and I could pick up where we left off and all.”

“You’re still with her, and you have the audacity to see me as a backup?” I laugh once, because I don’t have the energy to scream.

“It’s not like that.”

“No? This is what it’s always like. You wanting what you want and pouting when you can’t have it.” I push past him. “No, Roman,” I call back over my shoulder. “Never.”

A bubble of laughter teases me as I wonder how he’d react with this pathetic plea to take him back if he were to know I’m carrying his brother or sister.

“Liliana!” he calls out once with that expectant tone that I’ll heed his wishes.

I lift my hand and flip him off without looking back.

One of these days, before this baby comes, I’ll need to fully master the fine art of avoiding all Sokolov men.

18

ANTON

Every day, the men update me on where Liliana is. Her routine is mapped out, and I doubt there’s much left to learn about her movements.

None of the Sokolov guards know why she’s my target of the moment, and that suits me for now. The second I let on how much this young blonde is starting to matter, I show the world I have a weakness.

I never have to seek out a woman. They come to me, every woman in the city hungry for my attention and hopeful for my money.

I never have to chase a woman, either. They leave when I expect them to, and since I put my work as pakhan above everything else, no follow-up is ever required. Once I’ve had a lover, she’s gone. On my terms.

Except Liliana.

“Are you planning to speak with her again?” Viktor asks as we enter the lower level of a warehouse where I intend to witness the execution of a spy my men captured after a long game of cat and mouse.

I glance at him, bothered that he’s being slightly nosy. This is Viktor, though. He’s not asking to pry, even though the novelty of me holding this long an interest in a woman—even from afar—has to be confusing him.

“I’m not sure yet,” I admit.

I can’t stop thinking about her, and I can’t figure out what to do with her either. She’s in a twisted spot, serving one purpose as one of the many who owe the Bratva money. Her other purpose, as the woman I crave, runs far deeper.

“Because of the loan her parents have on the bakery?” he asks.

I button my suit jacket as another guard opens an inner door for us. We step into the viewing area of the cell, and though a window separates us from the killing, I don’t let the gruesome scene change the subject. Only with my loyal assistant can I be this open.