Page 63 of Sinful Union

She returns the embrace. “I’ll make sure she settles in.”

We head back to Ana’s room. “I need to meet with Pavel and Vlad. Stay close?”

Camille nods. “Of course.”

I slip out into the hallway, my thoughts tangled. My daughter is finally safe and home with me where she belongs, but the weight of everything else going on crashes down the moment I step outside that little cocoon.

I pause at the top of the stairs, my hand tightening on the railing. I should have told Pavel about Ana sooner. I almost did more than once. But now we have another baby on the way. Springing two children on him in one day feels like too much.

Ana’s arrival alone has turned his world upside down.Adding another layer right now could push him over the edge, but is there ever going to be a perfect time to tell him about the baby?

I take a deep breath, exhaling slowly, shaking off the hesitation. One problem at a time. Right now, I have to focus on what’s in front of me.If what Darya said is true—if Piotr orchestrated not only the Bratva war but also our parents’ deaths—then we’re facing something far worse than I ever imagined.

I make my way down the hall. The door to Pavel’s office is slightly ajar, and I can hear the low murmur of voices inside. He and Vlad are already talking. With a quick breath, I raise my hand and knock before pushing the door open.

Inside, the room is bathed in the golden glow of the lamp on Pavel’s desk. He stands near the window, a glass of whiskey in his hand. Vlad leans against a bookshelf, his own drink loosely in his grasp. Both men turn as I enter.

“Kat,” Pavel says, setting his glass down. “We were just about to call you.”

Vlad lifts his drink in a half-salute. “Hey, sis.”

I clear my throat. “Sorry for taking so long. I just wanted to make sure Ana and Camille were settled.”

“How are they?” Vlad asks.

“Good, I think,” I reply, “considering they were both moved across the city without any notice.”

The corner of Pavel’s mouth lifts slightly. “She’s a good kid,” he says, almost to himself. “I’m glad she’s here, where she’s safe.” His jaw twitches, darkness shadowing his features, and I know he’s thinking of Piotr’s involvement.

“I am, too,” I step farther into the room. “So, I guess it’s time to talk.”

Pavel gestures for me to sit. “Would you like a drink?” he asks.

“No, thanks,” I say. “My stomach’s in knots.”

Between the worry over Piotr, the baby I haven’t told him about, and the swirl of guilt about how this day went down, alcohol is not an option.

Vlad raises an eyebrow. “You’re passing on whiskey?” He tries for a teasing tone, but it falls flat. He knows me well enough to register something’s off. I’m not known to refuse a glass of bourbon.

I force a half-smile. “I’d just rather be clearheaded right now.”

Pavel nods, swirling the amber liquid in his tumbler. “Alright then. Let’s get to it.”

I claim one of the armchairs while Vlad remains standing. There’s an unease in the air, and I’m eager to get the conversation started.

“Vlad,” Pavel begins, “you and I have always gotten along. Even when Kat and I parted ways years ago, you never treated me like an enemy.”

Vlad nods his head slowly, acknowledging the statement. “I always believed you were decent, despite what Piotr said.”

Something about that sentence rattles me.Despite what Piotr said.He’s been poisoning the well for a long time.

Pavel continues. “I’m going to tell you something you’re not going to like.” He spares me a glance, and I know exactly what he means. He’s about to disclose the conversation with Darya and what she revealed about Piotr.

Vlad straightens. “If this is about the attacks, I’m already on board. I know Piotr arranged them. Darya might have confirmed it, but we’ve had suspicions for a while. The men targeted were in smaller shops in Fetisov territory, not Andreev. It was meant to create discord, to weaken your influence.”

“So you believe that part,” Pavel says, a bit surprised.

Vlad nods grimly. “Yes. Piotr’s never hidden his desire to expand. He wants to push you out. I’ve had my doubts about whether he’d go as far as staging attacks, but I’m not surprised.”

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