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There’s a moment of stunned silence, then a burst of applause and cheers that rise from the crowd.
“At the end of this year, we will be welcoming not one, but two children.”
A gasp. More applause follows, louder and more boisterous.
“Let us toast,” I say. “To the future of the Orlov Bratva.”
We toast as one, and the atmosphere in the room brightens. This is big news. News that has the power to roust Petyr from his hiding place.
As if reading my mind, Paige whispers to me, “Petyr will find out about this.”
I smirk. “I’m counting on it.”
Klim is the first to approach. He saunters up to us with a thin smile on his face, though any warmth in it is reserved solely for Paige. “Who knew you were hiding two bundles of joy underneath that dress?”
“I’m very resourceful.”
“I’m starting to realize that,” he says before turning to me for a handshake. “This is big news, Misha.” He leans in, voice low. “This will crush that little fucker.”
Paige pats my chest and slips away from me. “If you two will excuse me, I’ll go make some rounds.”
“I must say, I underestimated her,” Klim remarks, watching her work her way across the room. Everyone is offering Paige congratulations, and she looks radiant. “She has settled into the role quickly. I see how fond your family is of her. What a treasure that must be.”
“Things are falling into place. Now, all we need to do is finish things with Petyr.”
“Do you have a plan?”
“Always.”
Klim nods. “Then I will trust that. I will advise the men to do the same. Enjoy your evening,pakhan.”
As Klim is walking away, I notice Konstantin by the door. He tips his head, gesturing me forward.
I cross the room to meet him. “What is it?”
“The Babai,” he hisses. “They’rehere.”
“Here?” I repeat. “As in, on my property?”
“Yes. I have no goddamn clue how they got in,” he growls.
I never did tell him about their first breach, when they slipped into my office unseen to leave a note on my desk. I didn’t want to contribute to the sick sense of foreboding he carries with me where the Babai are concerned.
“I’ll speak to them.”
He shakes his head. “Let me come with you this time.”
“No. Just go back to the party and play host until I return.”
Konstantin looks skeptical, but he obeys, albeit not without a few muttered curses under his breath.
I walk outside, searching the driveway for a car or a silhouette. There is nothing at first. Then, as I turn, a large shadow separates itself from the cluster of darkness in the western corner of the facade.
It’s The Wolf. He’s wearing a long overcoat and a shrewd expression. Behind him, I spy two more silhouettes. They all step forward in unison, unsettling in their inhumanity.
“I wasn’t expecting the three of you tonight,” I say. “In fact, I wasn’t expecting you at all.”
The Wolf just blinks and smiles at me. His eyes are alien in a way I can’t explain. Flat like a fish’s, but huge and intelligent.
