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In our bedroom, I shake out my knit dress and put it on along with my cubic zirconia earrings. The jeweler refused to replace them because of the tracking device embedded inside. I asked if any other pieces had tracking devices, and he said no as he handed me the fakes.
Downstairs, Andrei and Dmitri are in the office, and the door is ajar as I approach slowly. My shoes barely make a sound on the marble floor as I creep closer.
“We have more allies, Andrei. Shall we drink to that?”
“You can, but I want to keep a clear head.”
“Good. We must stay focused on our purpose.”
“Did the plan work last night?”
“We didn’t break the truce, but we obtained some valuable information …” Dmitri’s voice is cut off by the shutting of the office door. I can march in there if I want and ask what is going on, but do I really want to know? I don’t. Not today. I have a plan of my own, and I have to stay strong if I’m going to pull it off.
I tap on the door before opening it. Andrei looks up from his laptop and smiles at me while Dmitri barely lifts the corners of his lips. I ignore him and stand in front of Andrei’s desk. “Will you be long, dear?”
On cue, Dmitri slips out of the office, carrying his laptop before he’s asked to leave, and I notice the single glass of vodka perched on the bar. I sit on the couch, and Andrei joins me, taking my hand. I place it on my stomach, and his eyebrows rise when he feels the baby kick.
Andrei leans in and kisses me softly on the forehead. “Our little one is doing well today,” he says.
I look down and hold onto his hand tightly. “Yes, she is,” I tell him.
“Do you think it’s a girl?” He grins, and I nod.
“I hope so—for her sake. We should plan for her future,” I murmur as a wrinkle of worry appears on his brow.
Andrei nods solemnly, his face suddenly serious and thoughtful. He also feels the weight of responsibility to our unborn child. “Yes, perhaps so,” he says softly. His eyes drift away from me to the window; there’s a sadness in them as he adds, “I know that I will have to keep the affairs of the Bratva from you.”
“What about our future together?” I ask, dreading the answer.
Andrei’s eyes soften as he looks at me. “I wish I could give you more,” he says, regret deep in his voice.
My heart feels like it’s shrinking in my chest, and I bite my lip to keep her emotions in check. This is not what I was expecting when I walked in here.
“What do you want from me?” he asks, frustration laced in his tone.
“I want you to think about a normal life for us,” My voice barely above a whisper. “I want us to be able to have a future together—a future where we can be happy and safe with our child.”
Andrei nods, and his face softens. Is he imagining the future with our baby in his arms?
“I’ll try,” he says, and I feel relief wash over me until he says. “After I win.”
He pulls me close and places a tender kiss on my lips. I hold him tightly, feeling secure in his arms. But what if he doesn’t win?
“I promise we’ll be safe,” he reassures me again. “Are you ready for the wedding tomorrow?”
I smile, my eyes filling with tears, and I nod to hide my disappointment. How long can I keep hoping for him to change?
Andrei smiles and kisses me again. “I love you,” he says.
His hand remains on my chin as I stare into his eyes. I want to scream and make him acknowledge the danger we’re in. A danger that is too real after that awful night. It won’t end when the war is over; there will be someone else to take their places.
“I love you too.” My voice is barely audible.
Chapter 36
Andrei
