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I silence my phone and place it face down on the vanity. I turn to her. "How did you sleep, my love?"
I have to trust that my brothers know what they're doing. What I would give to be there right now.
"I heard something disturbing. Someone screaming. What happened, Mikhail?”
She’s standing by the side of the bed, looking pale.
"Someone tried to hurt my mother. They tried to take her last night. My brothers are finding out more information now.”
Her expression turns pained. "Oh."
I don't give any more details, but I won't lie to her either. This is our life now.
“Are they hurting them?"
I take a step toward her and cup her face in the palm of my hand. "What would I do to someone that hurt you, Aria?"
Her voice is a whisper, but she doesn't look away. "I don't want to even think about that. But they would hurt.And likely not…” she swallows hard. "You know, like…make it."
I nod. "Come, sweet girl. Back into bed with you. Allow me to bring you breakfast. Don't think of those things, they don't matter right now."
I go back to my phone and see my text messages.
Aleks: One caved. He's on the verge. Bleeding out on the floor now. Volkov knows about Aria's pregnancy. She and your home are the greatest risk right now.
Of course I assumed this would be true, but I'm grateful for the confirmation.
I send him a text back.
As of today, I dismiss all of our staff. They will be under my payroll. I want no one but family at my house.
That will be difficult, brother, but it must be done. Polina and mother?
Everyone,
They won't come easily,
I grit my teeth.
Let me handle that. I'm getting a call from Kolya. Let me know what you get from the prisoners.
Within the hour, both of them will be dead. We will extract whatever we can from them before that happens.
I take the call from Kolya, walk to the bed, and run my hand along Aria’s hair. I breathe more deeply. Her eyes close as I continue to brush through her hair with my fingertips.
"Hello?"
"Mikhail. A minute?"
"Hold please." I mute the phone and turn to my bride. "How are you feeling? Are you nauseous?"
She nods. "Yes, not as bad as yesterday. I was afraid that pizza wouldn't sit too well, but apparently our baby likes pizza. Do we have any left? For breakfast?”
I feel my brows pull together as I give her a curious look. "You want pizza for breakfast?"
She makes a face. "Only if it's cold. Not hot pizza. Can you do that?"
Cold pizza. “Yes. Anything you want, Aria. Just a moment." I send a text to my staff. I'll get the pizza delivered before I dismiss everyone. None of them will come back.
