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I don’t want to lie to him, but too much truth could cause other problems. “We went to school together for a little while.”
“You did?”
“Mmhmm.”
“How old were you?”
“Older than you. College.”
“And you were friends?”
Friends who fucked.“Yep.”
Leo considers that for a minute. “How come you never visited?”
“Because I live here.”
He seems to accept that explanation and drops the line of questioning about Lyla. “Where are we going?”
“Do you remember the men who flew here with us?”
“Yes.”
“They work for me.”
“Allof them?”
“Yes.”
“Wow.”
At that, I smile. His obvious awe feels special.
“Sometimes, we end up in dangerous situations. They all train to prepare for those in a special building.”
I have no idea how to explain the Bratva to a kid. My father never sat me down and said a word. I figured out exactly what my family did by observing. By taking in bloody shirts and the way everyone cowered away from him and figuring out what it meant for the trajectory of my life.
And I don’t know how much to share with Leo. How much will help or harm.
“Like what happened in the apartment?”
“Yes, exactly like that.”
“What if that happens again?”
“It won’t.”
I park the car outside the industrial warehouse. Leo clambers out of the vehicle as soon as the doors unlock, eyes wide as he takes in the long, low building. There’s not much else to see. We’re in a remote, abandoned area for a reason.
“Come on.”
Leo follows me inside. I grasp his shoulder and steer him along the far wall, ignoring the curious looks from the men scattered around. Some are huddled, some training. A small group is gathered around a card table, playing poker. All staring.
Me showing up here with Leo is a straight response to the speculation that’s littered the past week. I’m not in the habit of huddling my men around for heartfelt speeches. I give orders and expect them to be followed. Effective, respected leaders don’t offer explanations.
I didn’t consult anyone about a potential alignment with the Popov Bratva. If I decide to marry Anastasia Popov, it will be my decision and my decision only.
But I know a choice to stay silent when it comes to Leo will carry a different connotation. Children conceived outside marriage aren’t uncommon in the Bratva. What is common is sweeping them under the rug, usually to protect “legitimate” children.
