Page 60 of Forced Marriage Vows

I nod slowly, a spike of fear in my chest. Lucia and I parked only a couple feet away with our bodyguards not too far off. If anything happened, they’d be here in a matter of seconds. Butshe doesn’t feel exactly threatening. Honestly, she seems scared, jumpy.

“I’m Sierra Colby. You don’t know me, but I really need your help.”

“With what?” I question, mildly uncomfortable.

Sierra glances at Lucia, who is standing at my side, looking just as confused as I feel. She exhales a quick breath before saying the words that shake me to my very core.

“Mikhail and I were in a relationship four years ago. And he doesn’t know this, but I was pregnant when we broke up. He and I have a son.”

CHAPTER 18

Mikhail

There’s this intriguing theory referred to as the Schrödinger’s cat experiment propounded by a physicist. The experiment involves places a live cat in a box with some radioactive substance and closing that box. As soon as the box is closed, there’s no way of knowing whether the box is alive or dead. In that moment, the cat is seemingly both, and it isn’t until the box is opened that what has happened to it can be truly observed. A lot of people have their own views on what the experiment truly entails. It’s rife with ideas and questions, arguments with backgrounds in quantum mechanics and a lot of other complicated stuff.

My view on Schrödinger’s cat is pretty simple. It’s about being in a state of limbo. That threshold between knowing and not knowing. Which also happens to be the state of mind that I hate the most. Things have come to a standstill in the past week. Everything’s been quiet, too quiet, and now I’m wondering when the other shoe is going to drop. I’m trying not to be too comfortable because something always inevitably goes wrong, and I need to be prepared when it does.

The only part of my life that isn’t at a standstill is my relationship with Anastasia. Things have really progressedbetween us. I’m not sure what I did to get her to open her heart, but I’ve been happy, content in a way I didn’t know I could be. Which is why I’m worried. Because it doesn’t feel real, and a part of me can’t help but feel underserving of it. Underserving of her.

“The quarterly budget seems solid, but there’s some slight worry about the profit marginalization,” Jerome is saying, tablet in hand while he reviews the files that were sent in from my company early today.

“The numbers are solid and I don’t think there should be any problems,” I state, leaning back in my chair. “I’ more curious about how things are holding up at the company.”

Jerome swipes through the tablet as he speaks. “Sales have been steady, and a week ago, the interim CEO managed to secure that contract with the European firm. He’s doing his job well, there’s just been a few concerns about the lack of direct oversight from you. The board’s still getting used to you being… less involved.”

I nod my fingers drumming lightly on the desk. “They’ll get over it,” I murmur. “Just keep an eye on things. I want to know as soon as there’s any hint of trouble.”

I may be Pakhan now, but Vortex will always be a part of my legacy—one I plan to protect even from the background.

“Of course, sir,” Jerome replies. “I’ve arranged weekly updates from the team to ensure everything stays on track.”

There’s a moment of silence before I arch an eyebrow. “Moving on to Bratva business,” I prompt, my focus sharpening. “Tell me what I need to know.”

Jerome once again glances at his notes, his voice lowering. He makes the switch pretty easily from an ordinary assistant to a member of the Russian mafia.

“We’ve had a few issues with shipments in the last week. The ports are getting tighter, and customs have been making unexpected checks. There’s been whispers that the formerPakhan has something to do with this. Some of our people believe there’s a leak—information getting out to the wrong hands. We lost one shipment entirely last week.”

My jaw tightens and I feel the tension in the room shift. “Any idea who the leak could be?”

Jerome shakes his head, nervously pushing his glasses up with his thumb.

“Oh really? You have no idea?” I prod, twirling a pen around my fingers.

“I just don’t think throwing accusations at anyone is the right way to handle things at the moment, sir. Especially with so much instability in the Bratva at the moment.”

“Sensible words, of course, but they don’t matter in the face of someone on the inside working against us, Jerome. So I’m going to ask again. Any potential leads?”

“Y-yes, sir. Our sources are pointing to one of the mid-level commanders. He’s also suspected to have a close relationship with Zakharov.”

I lean forward, my eyes narrowing. I thought I took care of Zakharov and made sure he understood the price of betrayal. I guess he didn’t get the message.

“Put some men on his tail, watch him carefully. The minute he slips up, bring him in for questioning. And with regard to the shipment, just ensure that they’re more secure. I’ll have a talk with my father’s contacts in Moscow to see how they can help with customs. We can afford any more losses.”

“Understood, sir. I’ll handle it. Is there anything else?” He inclines his head.

“How’s the other issue going?”

Jerome smiles, his eyes brightening, “Pretty good, sir. Mrs. Morozova’s going to love it.”

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