Page 24 of Baby Surprise for my Brother's Best Friend

My knuckles still sting, my adrenaline’s finally crashing, and the silence is loud in a way that messes with my head.

I thought I could coast through this. Smile. Charm. Pretend the threat wasn’t real. That I wasn’t dragging someone else into my mess.

But then I saw her pacing that kitchen, fire in her eyes, and fear just beneath the surface.

And it hit me harder than that bastard’s smirk ever could.

This isn’t just about me anymore.

And fuck, that’s terrifying.

Because Sophie?

She’s everything I’m not. Controlled. Strategic. Cold when she needs to be. She keeps her emotions caged behind those killer stilettos and sharp comebacks.

But I’ve seen through it. Seen the way her hands shake just slightly when she thinks no one’s watching. The way she exhales like the weight of the world’s pressing on her ribs.

I’ve known a lot of women. Slept with even more. But none of them ever made mecarewhat happens to them when I walk out the door.

None of them ever made mefeelthis unsteady.

And maybe that’s what scares me most.

Because if anything happens to her, especially if it is because of me, I’ll never forgive myself.

My phone buzzes, screen lighting up, daring me to look.

A call, not a text.

Whatever it is, I know it will just add another reason to keep me awake.

I take a deep breath and look at it.

Nikolai Sokolov.

I don’t really want to, but I answer.

“I heard what happened. That guy? He wasn’t sent by us.”

I sit up straighter. “What?”

“He wasn’t authorized. Some of the lower men are getting restless, playing power games. But I’ve handled it.”

Nikolai’s voice is calm, but there’s an edge I don’t miss.

We go back to before he climbed ranks in the Bratva. Back when he was just another cocky bastard with a killer poker face and a sharper tongue.

We used to run in the same circles. Parties, girls, high-stakes poker in backrooms of clubs that smelled like money and blood.

He was always the quiet one. The one who watched, waited, and struck when you least expected it. Now he’s got power and connections that make his words carry weight.

Nikolai is one of the few men in New York I can trust with my life. I just don't ask any favors from him because I know the favors he wants in return usually mean someone is ending up dead.

Relief slips in, but it’s too hollow, and fades away as Nikolai adds, “If you really want to shut this down, you’re going to have to show your face. Publicly. Make an appearance at my charity event. Let everyone see there’s no bad blood.”

My stomach knots.

A public appearance.

---