Page 18 of Unexpected Bratva Baby

“Mikhail,” I say, my voice serious now. “What is this? Between us, I mean.”

He sits up, pulling me with him so we’re face to face. “It’s whatever you want it to be, Phoebe, but I hope you know that for me, this isn’t just a fling. I don’t often enter into something like this, especially not with a younger woman. If I do, it means it’s important, that I care about you.”

My heart swells at his words. “I care about you too. It scares me a little, how much. It’s like I know you, but I don’t yet. I’m scared to get hurt.”

Mikhail cups my face in his hands. “Don’t be scared, okay? I will protect your precious heart.”

I nod, leaning in to kiss him softly. As the kiss deepens, I feel desire stirring in me again. Mikhail seems to sense it too, because he pulls me closer, his hands starting to roam once more. We make love again, slower this time, savoring each touch and caress. Afterward, we lie facing each other, our legsintertwined. Mikhail strokes my hair, a tender gesture that makes my heart ache with affection.

“Stay the night,” he murmurs, his eyes already heavy with sleep as Masha tentatively creeps in, alerting me to the partially open door for the first time since we stepped into the room.

I snuggle closer, resting my head on his chest. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.” I pat the bed, and Masha rushes to jump up and join us. Then I freeze. “You aren’t one of those people, are you?”

He frowns sleepily. “What people?”

“Who won’t let your dog in your bed?”

He laughs. “Does Masha look like this is the first time she’s slept here?” As he asks, the dog arranges herself against his back, laying her head on his hip.

I giggle at how relaxed she appears. “I guess not. Good thing, because that’s a total deal breaker.”

“I shall endeavor to never break any of our deals,lyschka.” He kisses my temple and is soon snoring, at least several decibels lower than Masha.

I drift off to sleep, wrapped in Mikhail’s arms, ruminating on how quickly my life has changed. A couple of weeks ago, he was just the mysterious owner of the dog I walked. Now, he’s become someone I can’t imagine my life without.

7

Mikhail

Isit at the head of the long, polished table in the secure room of my Miami Beach hotel. The tension in the air is heavy at the meeting with my topbratvacaptains. We’ve just received word that The Corporation, under José Valdés’ leadership, has hijacked one of our drug shipments. The news hangs in the air like a storm cloud ready to burst.

“Gentlemen,” I say, my voice cutting through the silence. “We have a situation.”

Sergei, my second, asks, “How much did we lose?”

“Ten million in product,” I say, my jaw clenching. “And two of our men.”

A collective murmur ripples through the room. I scan their faces, noting the anger and concern.

Rodion slams his fist on the table. “We can’t let this stand. We need to hit back hard.”

I raise a hand, silencing him. “We will retaliate, but we must be smart about this. The last thing we need is a full-scale war with the Cubans.”

“What do you propose?” asks Zakhar, his weathered face creased with worry.

I ease back in my chair, considering our options. “We need to send a message,” I say slowly, “But it must be done quietly. We can’t afford to attract law enforcement attention.”

Sergei nods in agreement. “What about their shipments? We could hit one of theirs to even the score.”

“Too obvious. Valdés would expect that.”

My bodyguard, Vlad, who is naturally included in these meetings, says, “What if we go after another one of their legitimate front businesses? The nightclub on Ocean Drive, perhaps?”

I consider this for a moment, then shake my head. “We already took their ‘Havana Nights’ club. I want a different tactic to dissuade José. Even if he doesn’t know it came from us, I’ll consider it good if it distracts him or disrupts his business for a while.”

The room falls silent as my captains mull over the possibilities, each one trying to come up with the perfect plan of revenge.

Finally, Sergei says, “What about Valdés’ right-hand man, Carlos Mendoza? He’s been seen frequenting a certain establishment outside of town. We could arrange for an unfortunate accident.”

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