Page 42 of Unexpected Bratva Baby

He scowls. “If you want to look at it that way.” He speaks to the driver. “Take us to the marina, Vlad.”

16

Mikhail

As we approach the marina, I scan our surroundings, alert for any signs of pursuit or danger. The yacht is anchored ahead, a gleaming fortress on the water. I tap the driver’s shoulder.

“Circle the block once more. Make sure we’re not followed.”

Vlad nods, and I turn my attention back to Phoebe. Her face is pale, her eyes wide with fear and uncertainty. I want nothing more than to comfort her, to tell her everything will be all right, but I can’t. Not yet. Not until she’s safe, and it’s clear she wouldn’t welcome my touch right now anyway.

The limo completes its circuit and pulls up to the marina. I exit first, scanning the area before I help Phoebe out. She stumbles slightly, and I steady her with a firm grip on her arm. Nastya follows right behind us.

“Stay close,” I murmur, guiding her toward the yacht. I keep a hand on her wrist, expecting her to bolt just to prove a point, or because I’m insisting she stay with me to keep her safe.

We board swiftly, and I nod to the captain. He understands the unspoken order and immediately begins preparations to cast off. I lead Phoebe to the main salon, but she barely looks at it today.

“Mikhail,” she whispers, her voice cracking. “What’s happening? Why?—”

I hold up a hand, silencing her questions. “Please, Phoebe. Let’s wait until we’re out to sea. I promise I’ll explain everything.”

She nods mutely, sinking onto one of the plush sofas. I pour her a glass of water, pressing it into her hands. Our fingers brush, and I linger for a moment, wishing I could take away her fear.

The yacht’s engines rumble to life, and we begin to move. I watch from the window as the lights of Miami recede, replaced by the vast darkness of the open ocean. Only when the coastline has disappeared entirely do I turn back to Phoebe.

She sits rigidly on the sofa, her knuckles white around the untouched glass of water. I prepare myself for the conversation ahead.

“You asked why this is happening. I’ve tried to keep this part of my life separate from you, to protect you, but now, that’s no longer possible.”

“Why?” she asks again.

“Because of a man named José Valdés. He’s the leader of the Cuban mafia in Miami, and he’s my rival. We’ve been locked in a power struggle for months, since I was sent here to replace the failedpakhanbefore me. Recently, things have escalated.”

I sit beside her on the sofa, close enough to touch but maintaining a respectful distance. “Valdés discovered your connection to me. He sees you as a weakness he can exploit.”

Phoebe shakes her head, as if trying to deny the reality of my words. “This is insane. I’m just... I’m nobody. Why would he care about me?”

“Because I care about you,” I say softly. “More than I should. More than is safe in my world. What happened this afternoon was my fault. I underestimated Valdés. I thought I could keep you safe by keeping you in the dark. I was wrong.”

She stands abruptly, pacing the room. “So what now? Am I supposed to just accept that my life is in danger because of...because of what? Because we went on a few dates?”

I rise, following her movements with my gaze. “It’s more than that. You know it is.”

She whirls to face me, her cheeks flushed. “Do I? How can I know anything when you’ve been lying to me this whole time?”

Her words sting, but I can’t deny their truth. “You’re right. I should have been honest with you from the beginning, but I was selfish. I wanted to keep you in my life, even knowing the risks.” I soften my voice. “I liked being just Misha with you.”

Phoebe’s anger seems to deflate, replaced by weariness. “What am I supposed to do now? I can’t go back to my life, can I?”

I shake my head. “Not yet. It’s not safe. Valdés won’t stop until he gets what he wants.”

“And what is that?” she asks.

“Me,” I say simply. “Dead or weakened enough to lose control of my territory, and he’ll use you to do it if he can.”

Phoebe sinks back onto the sofa, her head in her hands. “This is a nightmare.”

I kneel before her, gently prying her hands away from her face. “This is overwhelming, but I promise I’ll do everything in my power to keep you safe. No matter what it takes.”

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