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I resume my seat behind my desk as she watches with disappointment. I text Dmitri to come immediately to my office and tell Sonya not to leave until I’m done.
“First things first,” I tell her. “You will not marry Vanya.”
“Andrei, no.” Sonya stamps her foot and glares at me. “You can’t …”
I lift a finger to silence her. “After a year if you both want to marry, then you have my blessing. But you realize he will have to leave the Bratva.”
“Fine.” She glares at me. “Whatever you say, my pakhan.”
Dmitri walks in, looking a little surprised to see us both in the office and me behind the desk. He nods to us both and awaits his orders.
“Dmitri.” I motion toward the chair, and he sits. “Sonya has resigned. I am pakhan again.”
Dmitri smiles, pleased with the announcement, and wisely keeps his mouth shut while Sonya is there.
“Ready to go to work when you are, boss.”
“Good, I have two orders for you.”
“Just say the word.”
“First, I’m designating a new successor. Congratulations, Dmitri.” I raise my hand before he has a chance to speak. “And next. I’m resigning.”
“Are you serious, Andrei Vasilyevich?”
I stand from the seat. “This is your seat now, my pakhan.”
“Me, pakhan of the Barinov Bratva?” A wide smile overtakes his face, and then a fluid string of happy curses follows.
“You forget the other three who pledged their loyalty to your title,” I reach toward Sonya, and she stands by my side. “You will be the pakhan of the largest Bratva on the East Coast.”
“Is this truly your final decision, Andrei Vasilyevich?”
“It is.” I nod as I move aside from the seat that now belongs to him. “You care for no one but the Bratva.”
Dmitri walks slowly behind the desk and then sits down in the seat. “And you shall love none other than the Bratva.” He smiles at me. “Do I get the Lamborghini and the house?”
I scowl at him. “Buy your own. You’re a rich man now.” I take off my suit jacket and toss it over my shoulder. “Sonya, remember … one year.” I face Dmitri. “My pakhan, if you will excuse me, I have someone to apologize to.”
Heading toward my car, I stare at my phone; my finger hovers over the call button. Taking a deep breath, I finally press the button and wait for her to answer.
“Hello?” Gasping, Paige’s voice comes through the receiver like a sweet dream, and all the love and longing I kept inside floods into my heart.
“Paige,” I say, fighting to keep my voice even. “It’s Andrei.”
Chapter 56
Paige
The contractions start small, barely noticeable at first, and then more frequent and intense. Emma is at school, and I haven’t seen Viktor since the two of them “broke up.” I think she did it to be supportive and not a hypocrite: I left Andrei, so why is Viktor hanging around?
But I’m regretting her decision now.
I’m by myself in the house and feel isolated with every passing minute.
I’m having my first child, and I’m doing it alone.
Thinking about this moment has excited and scared me for months. The anxiety and reality of having to raise a baby all on my own crash into me like a tidal wave, and all I want is Andrei by my side.
