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I put her to her feet a few steps away from Sergei’s office, and Kolya hands her the crutch. Before I can say anything, the door opens and Vladimir steps outside.
He pauses at the sight of us and runs his gaze over Lia in a mechanical observation. Even though there’s no other intent behind it, I’m tempted to poke his eyes out.
Lia steps into my side and I relish in the fact that she’s chosen me as protection. In her eyes, Vladimir is a bulky bearded man with a permanent scowl, who appears as if he’s ready to murder everyone in his path.
Since I’ve known him for many years, I don’t see him as a threat. However, this is Lia’s first encounter with him, and the initial impression people usually have of Vladimir is that he’s deadly, probably the most dangerous-looking among the elite.
“Is this why you asked for a meeting with Sergei?” he asks in Russian.
“Yes, but I don’t see why you should be here,” I answer in the same language.
“I came for other matters.” He stares at Lia one last time, then shakes his head and leaves.
I take Lia’s frigid hand in mine and lead her to the door. “Not a word,” I remind her before I knock.
“Come in,” Sergei says in Russian.
I push the door open and she hobbles on her crutch, following me.
We stop in the middle of Sergei’s grandiose study which was originally his brother’s, the latePakhan, Nikolai. He hasn’t changed a thing about it, as if he’s keeping Nikolai’s memory alive through the grim decor and the countless book editions in Russian.
Sergei is sitting in the lounge area with Igor across from him. I called him over, too, because he needs to see this for himself.
After I broke off the engagement with his daughter, Igor demanded my punishment from thePakhan, but since I’m Sergei’s ‘golden boy,’ as Kirill likes to call me, he gave me a chance to explain myself.
I prefer action over words.
Igor’s features contort with obvious displeasure as he studies Lia in her wedding dress and the bands around each of our fingers.
She remains in place, but her features pale when she recognizes him.
“I thought you didn’t know her?” Igor doesn’t hide his accusatory tone as he speaks in accented English.
Lia’s fingers stiffen in mine.
“I didn’t,” I lie. “We had a one-night stand.”
I can sense Lia peeking at me, but thankfully, she keeps her words to herself. Any misstep in front of these men and everything will be over. It doesn’t matter that I put a baby in her or married her. Any show of disrespect, and they will take that baby and kill Lia.
“How dare you?” Igor slams his glass of vodka on the coffee table.
“Kristina said it was fine if I had any mistresses at the time,” I say. “You can confirm that with her if you like.”
“So what, Volkov?” Sergei’s critical gaze slides to Lia, measuring her up like she’s a maid he doesn’t approve of. “You chose to marry your one-night stand instead of Igor’s daughter. Is this your explanation?”
I can tell when Sergei gets angry. He turns eerily calm, like right now. That’s the difference between him and Nikolai. The latePakhanwould go on a killing rampage, but his younger brother will kill you with silence.
His point is logical. Sergei is taking offense on behalf of Igor, whom he hasn’t only known for the past forty years, but is also the closest of friends with in the brotherhood.
“No,” I speak in my signature composed, even tone. “I married her because she’s expecting my heir.”
Both of their gazes flit to her stomach, as if they can see a child there and question him about his origins. The attention causes Lia to squirm, so I retrieve the envelope from my jacket and hand it to Sergei. The sooner we’re done with this, the faster I can get her out of here.
ThePakhanplaces his drink on the table and studies the sonogram and the doctor’s report, then sighs. “Is this truly yours?”
“Why would I even give her the time of day if it wasn’t?” Lia flinches as if I’ve slapped her across the face.
I struggle to keep my cool. I don’t want her to think she’s nothing to me, but if she believes it, so will they.
