Page 99 of Velvet Chains
Ksenia clears her throat, her voice cutting through the tension like a knife. “Well, isn’t that… interesting news.”
Her tone is light, but I can hear the underlying accusation. The unspoken question hanging in the air.
Is it yours, Victor?
I swallow hard, forcing a laugh. It comes out strained and awkward, even to my own ears. “Eli, sweetheart, I think you might be mistaken. Laura’s not… she can’t be…”
But even as I say it, I know it’s a lie. Because I see the truth written all over Laura’s face, in the way she won’t meet my eyes, the way her hands are shaking as she grips her water glass.
Blyad. This can’t be happening. This wasn’t part of the plan.
Laura finally looks up, her gaze locking with mine. There’s fear there, and shame, and something else I can’t quite name.
“Victor, I…” She trails off, her voice trembling. “I’m sorry. I didn’t… I don’t…”
I hold up a hand, cutting her off. I can’t do this here, not in front of Ksenia and Eli. Not when I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that my wife—my fake wife—is carrying my child.
“We’ll talk about this later,” I say, my voice low and controlled. But beneath the surface, I can feel the anger bubbling, the betrayal and confusion and fucking panic clawing at my insides.
Ksenia’s watching me, her eyes sharp and assessing. I can practically see the gears turning in her head, the calculations and machinations.
This changes everything. And she knows it.
Eli, bless her innocent heart, seems oblivious to the tension. She’s still grinning, bouncing in her seat like she just delivered the best news in the world.
“Isn’t it exciting, Dyadya Victor? You’re going to be a papa!”
I force a smile, but it feels more like a grimace. “Yes, malyshka. Very exciting.”
Laura’s staring at her lap now, her shoulders hunched like she’s trying to make herself as small as possible. Like she wants to disappear.
And fuck, a part of me wants to let her. Wants to pretend this isn’t happening, that it’s all just some crazy misunderstanding.
But I can’t.
Because judging from Laura’s expression, it’s real, and it’s happening, and I have to deal with it.
Somehow.
I take a deep breath, straightening my spine. I’m the Pakhan, the leader of the Bratva. I don’t run from my problems, and I sure as hell don’t let them defeat me.
“Ksenia, would you mind taking Eli to get some dessert? I think Laura and I need to have a little chat.”
My sister’s eyes narrow, but she nods, standing up and holding out her hand to Eli. “Come on, milaya. Let’s go see what kind of ice cream they have.”
Eli pouts for a moment, clearly not wanting to leave the excitement. But then she shrugs, hopping down from her chair and taking Ksenia’s hand.
“Okay. But Tetya Laura has to have some, too! The baby wants ice cream, I bet.”
Laura makes a strangled sound, halfway between a laugh and a sob. I wait until Ksenia and Eli are gone, the door closing behind them with a soft click.
Then I turn to Laura, my eyes boring into hers.
“Start talking. Now.”
Chapter 40
Laura
